The Columbian fountain., 1846-02-17

i PtSoc1 wv hoVS Aot bCSiA S0bSA NPOAA ~ 49,
cord an occurrence occasioned by the sale
Of intoxicating liquors, 80 awful, and heart
rending as the one which we this week lay
before our readers. So dreadful was the
narration, not only as it regarded the vic
tins themselves, but the apparent authors
of the deed, that we hesitate giving it pub
licity. We have, however, satisfied our
selves or its truthfulness.
From the Washingtonian Journal.
RUM AND EATH!!!!
Shirley-Perhaps the effects of rum-
drinking, was never more fearfully mani
! tested than in recent transaction in the
town Of Oxford. | will state the facts, and
they will, in my opinion, satisfy the most
skeptical that sometimes sstruth is stronger
than fiction"
In November last, Capt. Bartlett Holmes,
of this town, purchased in Portland one
barret of Brandy, one of Gin, and another
of ~, E. Rum, together with few other
articles in the grocery line, and had them
conveyed to this town. Capt. H. had,
some time since, a few hundred dollars in
property fall to his son, by way Of his wife
who died many years ago-which was
kindly relinguished by the son to the fa-
ther, for the support of his declining years.
A portion of this sum was paid to the old
gentleman, by his son, through the hands
of Smith and Hersey, Of Portland, and from
them the liquors aforesaid came to Oxford.
AS evidence Of this, | refer to bill Of said
brandy, rum, and gin, and some other arti-
cles, made out by said firm of Smith and
Hersey, to Captain H.'s son, and enclosed
in an envelope and directed to 'sBartlett
Holiness (Welchville,) Oxford" If any
are disposed to doubt this fact, will as
sure them that there is other proof, direct
to the point, that Messrs. Smith and Her.
sey sold these three barrels of liquor, as
aforesaid.
! This bill of goods-rum, gin, brandy,
and all-were taken by said Holmes to the
dwelling house of Otis Soue, nephew Of
his, who, with his wife were both addicted
to habits of intemperance, and whose house
was about one mile from Welchville vii
lage, in Oxford.
| Soule's family, at the time, consisted of
himself, wife, and small boy about do
zen years of age, to which was added Cap
tain Holmes and his accompanying suite"
of brandy, gin, SC.
A small pen in one corner of one of the
rooms was partitioned off, and the liquor
put on tap. A grocery store was here open
ed-Cap,. H., Otis and his wife, being the
principal customers. This was few days
previous to the annual thanksgiving in this
State.
In few days Capt. H. Holmes took his
bed, and kept so drunk that he was unable
to leave it at all for any purpose whatever,
and Soule and his wife were very soon in
about the same condition; all compelling
the poor boy to draw and bring their liquor
to their bedside.
Once or twice, in the course of two or
three days, Soule's wife would so far ssta-
per off," as to get something as an apology
for meal of victuals; but their " meat and
drink +" chiefly consisted in swillng down
this g liquid fire and distilled damnation. "
Suule would occasionally arouse up from
his torpor, to curse, swear, and abuse and
beat his poor boy. This state of things con-
tinued sometime before any of the neighbors
were made acquainted with their real siiua-
ton, excepting few topers about the vii
age of Welchville, who were accommoda-
ted at the grocery 4" with a supply of the
critter, and of course kept dark.
AT length the poor boy (who, by the
way, is very intelligent, Industrious, and
temperate little fellow,) became alarmed
for his own safety, and fled to his uncle
for projections This uncle Immediately
called on Gen. J. j. Perry, who is Chair
man of the Selectmen of Oxford, for advice.
In company with Gen. Perry, he immedi
ately repaired to the house of his brother,
where all were found in beastly condition.
Holmes was lying on bed of feathers,
straw, and rags, with good supply of Ii
quor on an old chest near the head of his
couch, and within his reach-now swear
ing, now hallooing at the top of his voice
for more rum Soue and his wife were
both lying on hammock of straw in the
chamber, dead drunk!' The brother of
Soule and Gen. Perry took all the liquors
Immediately away, and stored the same in
shop in Welchville; the former expressly
agreeing with the latter not TO remove the
same back without further instructions
from him. About week after Capt.