The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-17

Oxford few days,) did pot know OF the
return Of the liqusr until the day that
Holmes died.
After this the house of Soule became
real hell upon earth. Holmes, Soule, and
his wife again lay down TO their liquor
barrels, eating nothing, and keeping dead
drunk nearly all the time!! James, the
boy previously spoken of, had returned to
his father; but after this relapse he soon
fled, and went away.
Little more was known of the inside of
this Pandemonium till the 18th of January,
when some Of the neighbors attempted to
enter, and found the doors fastened; forc-
irg them open, they beheld sight which
Ibcggars all attempt at description.
Capt. Holmes lay upon the floor (Which
was literally covered with human excre-
ments,) while death had already almost
done his work upon his shattered tene-
ment! Soule and his wife, /" drunk as
usual" while they had received among
their number poor old vagabond, (Benj.
F. Perry who was with them g hail fell
low we'll metz In few moments after
entering, those present saw Bartlett Holmes
a corpse n! He called for liquor while he
had life, and about one of his last acts was
to drink it He was carried to his long
home but destruction stopped nothere."
In day or two Otis died-delirium tre-
mems carried him off. His death was too
horrid and awful for me to describe ] can
only say, while he was in his last expiring
agonies, his wife (although confined, J ad-
ded, if possible, to the horrors OF the
scene, by her wild and frantic screams
For several days her life was despaired of,
but now hopes are entertained that she
will recover.
now drop the curtain upon this tragic
scene, and will only add a few remarks re-
specting the lives of those whose death
have here recorded.
Captain Bartlett Holmes was man of
more than ordinary natural talent; to which
was added good business education.
When young man, he transacted large
amount of profitable business, got respec-
table property, was commissioned officer
in the last war with Great Britain, and
served his country with much credit and
bravery. By degrees, he became intempe-
rate--loss of property of course followed.
Among the first who were reclaimed by
the Washingtonian reform in This section,
was Capt. Holmes. The change astonished
all. He was elected President of the East
Oxford w. T. A. Society, at its organiza-
tion-talked and labored zealolsly in the
cause, and with much effect. He was true
to his pledge for more than year. The
reader will here naturally enquire, what
was the cause of his downfall 7 | will an
swer. He imprudently boardedat the rum
tavern, known as the "Wslchvile Hotelp
The tempter was constantly before him
and around him! His good resolutions gave
way-he tasted only little, and all was
oper Dith him The sequel have told you.
One of the firm MR. Smith, who sold
the last draught which preceded his expr-
ing breath, learn, married his daughter
several years ago. censure him not, but
will leave him to settle the matter with his
own conscience.
Mr.. Soule was good mechanic--a car
penter by trade. As soon as the destroyer
came to his dwelling, he threw down his
tools and never performed an hours work
afterward.
He leaves three sons-all Industrious,
honest, faithful, temperate boys--to mourn
the untimely death of their father. AS
said in the commencement, | have only
time to state facts-to you and your read
ers leave it to make the application.
ONp uuo Noxyo