New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-08-05
Terrible Crime.


Aquilla and Jesse w. Ballard, brothers,
and both young men, were residing together and cult
vatin paLtshOn in partnership. so fraternal wer5
their feelings strong their attachment uubOunded
their mutual confidence 10 each other that they kept
separate accounts owned no separate property. WHAT
belonged to belonged 10 the other The white fam.
lily consisted OF Aquila Ballard, wife and child, Mrs.
Haynes SISTER TO Mrs b. and child and Jesse W. Bal
lard and venture 10 say that family circle was
never known in which there was more afe;ton, more
peace and quiet than in this
On Sunday evening last, Mr. AQuilla Ballard rode
over 10 bis mothers distance of five miles, TO sit up
with another brother who then lying dangerously
ILL., Shortly after he left home his brother Jesse in-
yted Mrs Ballard to take walk With him. saying he
had secret to tell her They passed down the road a
short distance, and stopped SOM time Ia a deep and
earnest conversation, Jesse exhibiting consic cradle
element When they returned 10 the house Mrs. b.
pale and melancholy, aud continued so during the
rest of the evening Jesse, however became unusually
lively and spirited Mex, (Monday) morning all parties
appeared as calm as usual.
After breakfast awhile, Jesse called negro boy who
had Just returned from hunting, and inquired in what
manner the gun lCa AIDED, and also asked for some
caps Having discharged both barrels, he carefully
loaded them With buckshot and set the gun against the
side of the house Soon after he seated himself the
door steps, and requested Mrs. B. TO comb his hair,
which she did, when, words Of asctlonate regard
hsv passed between them Jesse asked her TO draw
some spirits for the boy Nelson.
They both; passed into the smokehouse where they
remained some minutes. When Mrs. b. returned 10
the house she again pale and evidently much dis
Mrs B. replied that Jesse very much excited, and
begged her sister Mrs H. to go 10 him and try to calm
him. Mrs however, refused, she being afraid ~ ap
proach bin.
Mrs B. again went TO BIN In the yard but fndiag
abe could do nothing with him. return sd to the house
and told her sister that Jesse was going 70 kill Nelson
(he negro man. and then going 10 kill her. (Mrs b.
About this time Jesse called TO Clara, (Mrs. b. to
come to him again. but she refused. lie again, in
manner wild with frenzy, called TO her aud commanded
her to come saying he had something to tell her Mrs.
n ohPyp he'd m
his neck.
Some words passed hurriedly between them, but
what these words will only be known al that day
when all things will be brought 10 light Az be tore
himself abruptly from her, she was heard to eXclIm
"Oh, Jesse, don't do il Selling his gun, he ap
preached the kitchen where the boy Nelson was, and
asked him how he felt. The boy replied d" better and
would be able 10 work in the morning
jesse told him he did not want him to work any
more-that be was ing to kill him and sultng the
action 10 the word and telling the negro woman TO stand
out of the way if she did not wish get hurt he raised
his gun and shot the negro dead At the fire OF the gun
Mrs H. caught up her child out the opposite side oil
the house, and hid In the top OF fallen tree MIS-
Ballard also started to run but again returned ID the
house.
After shooting the negro man, Jesse, with one han
he head ard the other hold OF his gum turned rapid
y upon his heel for ur or five times-when comm
81 hat he Mrs Ballard passing through the gate
on the opposite side of the house He Immediately pur
sued her and when within few eet fired the second
bsrre lodging the whole load In her back several shot
pssdng entirely through'her body. She fell dead
His next movement was 10 draw Oft one OF his boots
by, her side when suddenly turniDgas If recollecing
that both barrels OF his gun were empty--he returned
into the house. aud procuring the only load OF buck
shot lef be hurried of TO branch about POO yards dis
tant when having reloaded one of the barrels OF his
gun he blew OH nearly his entire head by placing the
uzze OF the gun under his right jaw and touching the
trigger with his toe.
Thus ended this melancholy tragedy When the last
gun fred Mr. Aquilla 4ard was In hearing, on his re-
turn home The agony of thai devoted husband and
brother upon witnessing the scene which his home
but hour two since his happy home presented,
be neither imagined nor described.
psBut we forbear comment upon the painful suolect
Sudden and violent arrangements supposed - have led
to the unDsual deed The bodies of Jesse and Mrs Bal
lard were inferred Tuesday evening last in the san
Augustine burial ground large number Of mourners
followed their remains TO the grave.