Decatur Morning Review, Decatur, Illinois, May, 18, 1884

FRIGHTFUL TRAGEDY IN ILLINOIS.

A Wealthy Land-Owner of Monroe County and an Erring Wife Shot Dead 
by a Wronged Husband - The Murderer Surrenders.

St. Louis, Mo., May 17. - Between nine and ten o'clock yesterday morning 
a bloody tragedy was enacted at Smith's Landing, Monroe county, Ill., the 
principals being among the wealthiest and most respectable residents of the 
community.  Smith's Landing, or Monroe Point, as it is sometimes called, is 
on the river a few miles east of the little village of Columbia.  The most 
prominent man in Columbia, and one of the leading spirits of the county, is a 
wealthy farmer and stockman named William T. Ditsch.  He is well known 
throughout Southern Illinois, and one of his peculiarities, which is always 
mentioned when his character is discussed, is his fondness for women.  A few 
years ago he made the acquaintance of a schoolteacher named Monroe Gray, 
who had but recently married a handsome woman.  Ditsch visited them, and 
finally, to help the young couple along, rented Gray a farm at Smith's Landing.  
Gossips hinted that Ditsch, although married, was completely infatuated with the 
pretty Mrs. Gray, and when he helped them he was also helping himself.  He 
continued his visits until a climax developed which resulted in the death of both 
himself and his paramour.

Ditsch arrived at Gray's house yesterday morning and found that the ex-school 
teacher was not around the premises.  The wife said that he had gone over to a 
neighbor's, but this was a fallacy as subsequent events proved.  Gray was at the 
barn and going into the house suddenly he could not find his wife.  He saw Ditsch's 
horse standing at the door, and going upstairs he discovered the pair in each other's 
arms in this bedroom.  Ditsch jumped up and seized a chair and tried to strike 
him.  Gray warded off the blow, and pulling out a pistol shot Ditsch through the 
head.  Mrs. Gray at this moment jumped up and running behind her husband 
grasped him by the arms.  He fired again at Ditsch and then throwing the pistol 
over his shoulder fired at this wife, the bullet striking her in the head and instantly 
killing her.  She fell to the floor and as Ditsch continued to show signs of life he 
put another bullet in his body and then went to Columbia and surrendered himself 
to the Sheriff.

The news of the double killing created the greatest excitement.  Popular opinion is 
with Gray, although the killing of his wife is condemned.  The inquest is now being 
held.  There are no fears of a lynching.  Never in the history of the county has a 
tragedy occurred which has awakened such a feeling and is so universally regretted.