The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-08-18
A Terrible Tragedy in Texas.

The Red Land Herald, published at Sal
Augustus, Texas, of the 18th inst, give,
the details of one Of the most heart -rendins
tragedies we have ever been called upon t,
record. 1t occurred a few days since, il
the Southern part Of Shelby county. The
Herald has the particul trs from those who
were present.
Aquilla and Jessa Ballard, (bro!hers.
were cultivating plantation in partnership,
and their feelings towards each other had al.
ways been of the most fraterual description
The white family consisted of Aquilla Bal.
lard, wife and child Mrs. Haynes (sister
to Mrs. B. and child and Jesse w Ballard
On Sunday evening, the 11th instant,
Aquilla Ballard rode over to his mothers a
distance of five miles, to sit up with broth
Ier who was lying dangerously i'll. Shortly
Mrs. Ballard to take walk with him, say
ing he had secret to tell her. They pass
led down the road a short distance, and stop
ped some time in deep and earnest conyer-
sation, Jesse exhibiting considerable excite
'ment. when they returned to the house,
Mrs. B. was pale and melancholy, and con-
tinued so during IT, rest of the evening"
Jesse, however, became unusually lively and
spirited. The Monday morning following,
Jesse inquired of negro boy whether his
gun was loaded properly, and having dis
charged and reloaded it, he set it against
the side of the house. Soon after he had
another conference with Mrs. B., when the
latter returned to the house and told her sis
ter that Jesse was going to kill the negro boy
and then kill her Mrs B.
About this time, Jesse called out to Clara
MRS. b. to come to him again, but she
refused. He again, ina manner wild with
frenaey, called to her, and commanded her
to come, saying he had something to tell her.
Mrs. B. obeyed, approached him and threw
her arms about his neck. some words pass
ed hurriedly between them, but what those
words were will only be known at that day
when all things will be brought to light
AS he tore himself abruptly from her, she
was heard to exclaim, "Oh, Jesse. don't do
it," Selling his gun he approached the
kitchen, where the boy Nelson was, and ask
ed him how he felt. He replied Better,
and would be able to work in the morning"
jesse told him that he did not wish him to
work any morc--that he was going to kill
him; and suiting the action to the word, and
telling the negro woman to stand out Of the
way il, she did not wish to get hurt, he
raised his gun, and shot the negro dead. =
At the fire of the gun, Mrs. Fl, caught up
her child, and ran out the opposite side Of
the house, and hid in the top Of a fallen tree.
Mrs Ballard also started to run, but again
returned to the house. After shooing the ne
gro man, Jes, with one hand on his head and
the other hold of his gun, turned rapidly on
his heel four or five times-when coming to
halt, he saw Mrs. Ballard passing through
the gate on the opposite side Of the house.
He Immediately pursued her, and when
within few feet, fired the second barrel,
lodging the whole load in her back, shot
passing entirely through her body. She
fell dead. His nextmovemont was to draw
off one his boots by her side, when sudden
Iy turning as if frecollecting that both barrels
of his gun were empty, he returned to the
house, and procuring the only load ofbuck
shot left, he hurried off to a branch about
200 yards distant, when having reloaded one
Of the barrels of his gun, he blew off near
Iy his entire head by placing the muzzle Of
the gun nnder his right jaw and touching
Al. IL L.