The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1836-1851, 1840-08-22
A ,TRAGIC STORY.

IA ~ viva T.
The St. Louis Bulletin relates slngu-
lar story on the authority of trader from
Lake Superior. After alluding to the
North Passage by two young men OF the
Hudson's Bay Company, it states that
they both set out homewards, eager to
communicate the intelligence:
On the arrival of the two at Lake Win
nepick, they disagreed about the route
which should be pursued, and there Sc
parated. Mr.. Simpson, accompanied by
MIR. Bird, Mr.. Legros, and twenty or
thirty Of the colonists, struck across for
Saint Peters, intending to push on to New
York, via of the lakes, and from thence
sail for Liverpool. Mr.. Dace, his COM
peer, with another party, set out for the
Canadas.
About the Goth of June, Mr.. Simpson,
and his party had reached Turtle river,
where they encamped for the night. He
had, from the beginning of the journey,
exhibited occasional symptom of mental
hallucination, caused, as the party sup.
posed, by the dread of being outstripped
by his competitor in their long race for
London. On the evening above men
toned, he had continued to push on until
late hour at night, and even then his fe-
verish state Of excitement deprived him
of. nourishment or rest.
When they stopped, and while in the
act of camping, Mr.. Simpson turned sud-
denly round, and shot Mr.. Bird through
the heart; and before the astounded par
ty could fly from the presence of the mad
man, he discharged The other barrel, and
morta1Iy wounded Mr.. Legros. 1t aP-
pears the party had separated, and when
he committed the murder on his compan-
ions, there were only two more present,
one of them son Of Legros, who imme-
diately fed a short distance. The dying
father earnestly implored Simpson to per-
init his son to return and embrace him be-
fore he should die, which he agreed to
do, and beckoned them back, saying
there was nothing to fear.
On their return, Simpson accused Le-
gros Of conspiring with Bird, and asked
him whether it was not their intention to
assassinate him that nightl The dying man
said it was, but upon being interogated
a second time, he denied having any in
tention or design of such deed, and
shortly after he expired. Simpson then
ordered the two men to bride their horses,
and prepare to return with him to the set
Element. but no sooner were they mount
ed, than they dashed off in quest of the
main body, and overlook them about ls
miles ahead. They all returned in the
morning, and when they had reached
within 200 yards of the camp, they got
glimpse of Simpson at the door of his
tent, and Immediately afterwards heard
a report of a gun; supposing that he was
determined to carry out the work of DIES.
truction which he began, they attempted
to intimidate him by firing three volleys
in the direction of the camp, and then ap-
preached it cautiously. When they came
up, they found their commander welter-
ing in his blood, and on closer examina-
ton found that he had literally blown his
head to pieces! =.
Far in the wild, unknown to public
view,' were the three bodies committed
to the same grave by their companions,
who then pursued their route, with feel
ings more easily conceived than described.
The party arrived at st. Peters about
the lst of July, in possession of the Inn
portant papers, and other property be-
longing to the ill-fated Simpson.
Many persons are just planting Turnips,
which should have been in the ground ten
days ago. The following directions from
the American Farmer ale important.
TrRNIps.-If Won have not already got
in your turnips, delay not day in pre-
narino yoIr ground and sowing them. In