Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-06-09
A STRANGE AFFAIR.

The Indiana Brookvile American has the
following account of strange affair:
II appears that Mr.. Joshua Gregg, Of the
firm Of Daniel Hankins & Co., merchants Of
Connersville, had been paying attentions 10
Miss Sarah Stephens, Of the same place, and
finally, some four or five months ago, sue.
ceeded in seducing her. Recently an abor.
tion was attempted, which failed. Gregg
positively refused 10 marry the girl, and, on
her proposition, they mutually agreed 10 com.
init suicide. So he procured four ounces Of
laudanum. Miss S. poured the contents into
two equal portions. Gregg, with the utmost
calmness raised his to his lips and drank il
of at a draught. Miss s. hesitated at first,
then swallowed part Of Il, and set the glass on
the table. Gregg told her 10 ''be woman
and finish IT," She raised il the second time
and drained IL to the bottom.
It had been arranged that she should go
Immediately to the residence Of Mr.. Abram
Boyce, across the street, and wait until he
should return from his boarding house, which
he said would be in about fifteen minutes
They should then retire to die, leaving
written request to be buried as they had met
death together. He started for the board
ing house, but by the time he reached 1t II
was evident that he never could fulfil his
part of the engagement, so quick and SO pow
erful had been the influence OF the poison.-
He walked up stairs into his room, gave di.
,rectons that Thos. d. Hankins should be !
sent for said that he was going to die, pulled |
,afT his boots and coat, and laid down with |
singular coolncss and self-possession to meet
his fate. Mr.. Hankins having arrived and
discovered the matter, Immediately called
iuI the attendance Of physicians, and every
Irvacs that professional skill could devise
were.employed 10 save him, but without ef-
feet. He retained his senses cor some time
and ,usl,ibi,ed TO the last the same Iemarka-
bic ealmness and deliberaton that disiin-
guishei shin in every stage OF the transac-
tiea-
lie repeatedly said that he twas weary of
the world, d,",hat he twas tired of living"
ll1Ih WdtttV W poSSO' 'h''s A"'"
ing sAuild be done TO prevent it, and stead
lastly refused any emetic or antidote until he
was informed that in all probability Miss S.
would recover, when he reluctantly consent.
cd, expressing, however, his entire indifier-
,nce as 10 the result. He died the next
Miss s. in the mean while had
proceeded to the house assigned, and waited
for the arrival of G.. Her wild and agitated
,ir soon attracted attention, and by means OF
emetics she soon elected the greater portion
,f the poison. When it was first announced
10 her that Gregg was dead, she beat her
breast, tore her hair and went into parox-
,sms of grief and frenzy, and announced her
to put an end 70 her existence.
She had born an unblemished reputation pre-
rious to this affair, and Gregg was connected
with some of the best business men in the
state, was in fine circumstances, popular,
md bid fair TO rank among the most iniiuen-
ial and wealthy citizens of the place. Miss
). related the above circumstances after her
,artiai recovery from the effects of the loi>
son.