Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-08-11
Horrible Tragedy in Texas.

MURDERS AND SUICIDE OF THE MuR-
DERER.-The Red Land Herald, published
at San Augustine, Texas, of the 18th ult,
gives the details Of one of most heart-rend
ing tragedies we have ever been called up
on to record 1t occurred few days since
in the Southern part of Shelby county.
Aquilla and Jesse Ballard, (brothers,)
were cultivating plan'aton in partnership,
and their feelings towards each other had
always been Of the most fraternal descrip-
ton The whole family consisted of Aquil-
la Ballard, wife and child; Mrs Haynes
isister to Mrs. B. and child, and Jesse w
Ballard.
On the 1lth, Sunday Aquilla Ballard
rode over to bis mother S, distance of five
miles, to sit up with a brother who was ly
ing dangerously ill. Shortly after he lef,
home his brother Jesse invited Mrs. Ballard
to take walk with him, saying he had a
secret to tell her. A short distance down
the road they stopped some time in deep and
earnest conversation; Jesse exhibited con-
siderable excitement. When they returned
to the house Mrs. B. was pale and melau.
cboly, and continued so doing the rest Of
the evening. Jesse Ballard, however, be
came unusually lively and spirited. The
Monday morning following. Jesse inquired
of negro boy whether his gun was load
ed properly. Having discharged and re
loaded it be set it against the side of the
house. Soon after he had another confer
ence with Mrs. B., when the latter returned
to house and told her sister that Jesse was
going to kill the negro boy and then kill
her, (Mrs, B. =
| About this time Jesse called up to Clara,
(Mrs. B. tocome to him, but she refused
He again, in manner wild with frenzy,
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 passed
hurriedly between them, but what those
words were will only be known at that day
when all things win be brought TO light.
AS he tore himself abruptly from her, she
was heard to exclaim, "Oh Jesse, don't do
it.'' Seizing his gun, he approached the
kitchen, where the boy Nelson was, and
asked him how he felt. The boy replied
"better, and would be able 10 work in the
morning."
Jesse told him that be did not wish lin,
to work any more, that he was going to
kill him-and, suiting the action to the
word, and telling the negro woman to gel
out of the way if she did net want to gel
hurt. he raised his gun and shot the negro
dead. At the fire of The gun Mrs. X.
caught up her child and ran out the oppo-
site side of the house and hid in the top oi
fallen tree. Mrs. Ballard also started to
run, but again returned to the house. Al
ter shooting the negro man, Jesse, with one
hand on his head ard the other holding bis
gun, turned rapidly on bis 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 immediate
| ly pursued her, and when within few feet
| fred the second barrel, lodging the whole
load in her back, several shot passing en-
tirely through her body. She fell dead.
His next movement was to dtaw off one ol
his boots by her side, when suddenly turn
ing, as if recollecting that both barrels Of
bis gun were empty, he returned to the
house, and procuring the only load Of buck.
shot left, he hurried off TO branch about
200 yards distant, when, having reloaded
one Of the barrels Of his gun, he blew Of
nearly his entire head BY placing the nluz.
eel Of his gun under bis right jaw and
| touching the trigger with his toe.