Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2015 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= USGenNet Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== The Ludington Record VOL. XV. OLD SERIES, NO. 41 Thursday, June 15, 1882 A WICKED WOMAN The Wife of a Michigan Farmer Shoot and Kills Her Husband Bloody Ending of a Married Life Marked With Many Bickerings Gladwin county is rapidly coming to the front as notorious in the line of genuine tragedy. The particulars of the killing of ROBERT GRAHAM in that county by JOHN ANDERSON are still fresh in the public mind, and is now closely followed by a tragedy doubly sensational in character. WILLIAM STEVENSON and his wife settled on a homestead in the township of Gladwin, Gladwin county, some ten years ago. At the time of the occurrences recited below, there was living with the family WESLEY LAKINS, a son-in-law, whose wife, a daugh- terof STEVENSON, died some months ago, and a boy of 12 years, named ROBERT THOMPSON. On Saturday afternoon of last week STEVEN- SON and his son-in-law went to the county seat, and left for home about 8 p.m. On reaching home MRS. STEVENSON had barred the door, and refused to permit them to enter. She finally opened the door and admitted LAKINS, but refused to let the old man in. He remained outside some time, and finally made an effort to enter through a side window, telling his wife that he had as much right inside as she, and was in front of the window when she discharged a large navy revolver full in his face. The bullet struck the husband full in the forehead, and he dropped dead in his tracks, never moving a muscle. An inquest was held, the jury rendering a verdict in accordance with the facts. The woman was taken into custody. It is said they did not live happily and had frequent quarrels. The affair created great excitement in all that section. STEVENSON and his wife had frequent quarrels, and on the 24th of May had a terrible fracas. Both were armed with revolvers, and a regular skirmish ensued - the wife behind a stump, and the husband in the rear of an ash barrel, where they exchanged a number of shots. It is said that the wife was the most expert marksman, and boasted afterward that she "plugged the ash barrel at every shot." They sep- arated on that day, the wife retaining possession of the house and the old man taking refuge in a shanty on the premises, where he lived until the evening of the fatal occurrence which resulted in his death. ===========================================================================