Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-09-26


HORRIBLE MURDER OF A LITTLE GIRL IN
New ORLEANs.-We copy the following from
New Orleans Crescent of the 9th inst:
We heard yesterday the particulars of a
which, if true throughout, exceeds
ANYTHING in the way of human fendishness
that we have ever been called upon to record.
The particulars as narrated are these In
the boarding house or furnished room estab-
lishment of Mrs. Brown at the cornor of
Bourbon and Canal streets, and over the
confectionery of that corner, was an old wo-
man named Shelton, far gone In consu mption
and deserted by her doctors. She was poor,
and in debt for her lodgings. Mrs. Brown
on Monday informed her that she was unable
to keep her any longer in the house and that
she would have to seek lodgings elsewhere.
This seems to have greatly irritated the old
woman, and to have melted her to an act of
horrible revenge. In the evening, she sent
her nurse, a young Irish girl, for some am
phene. When the girl returned with it, she
poured it in a pool on the floor of her room.
Then hearing Mrs. Browns adopted daugh-
ter, Mary, a sweet little thing three and a
half years old, play ing in the hall outside,
she called to her. Mary, come in here,
I've got a cake for you Mary tripped in
unsuspectingly, and then the old woman.
setting fire to the camphene on the floor
with a candle, seized her and threw her into
the blazing pool. The poor little girl filled
the house with her shrieks, and when she was
all ablazc, her murderess seized her and put
her into the entry; after which she staggered
back to her bed. The witnesses Of this dia-
bolical act were the servant girl-who fed
afrighted from the house-and an orphan
boy, named George, about seven years old,
who was in the entry outside. As soon as
Mary, all enyeloped in flames, was thrown
out by her murderess, this little fellow, with
admirable courage, rolled her about the
floor until the flames were extinguished, and
then went into the room and put the fire out
on the floor. 1t was all the work ola mo
ment, and, being in the third story, was over
before any one could come to the rescue
The dear little girl fingered in excruciatins
pain until 3 O'Clock on Tuesday afternoon
when death came to her relief, and she wa
buried at 10 o'clock yesterday. Mrs. Brown
in her trouble, never thought it was her dut.
to apprize the coroner of the occurrence
Mrs. Shelton, Immediately after perpetratinI
the dreadful deed, was carried in her chat
to another boarding house. 1t is not likel
she will ever be troubled by the law, as sh
is imbecile, barely able. to walk. and vii
doubtless die before Il trial could be had
We have never heard Of n more terrible re
suit of a sick woman's phrenzy than this
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 20th.-Half the bus
ness portion of the town of Carbon 1ale wa
destroyed by fire on Sunday. The loss
estimated at one hundred thousand dollars
CHICAGO, September ia terrific ga
rose this afternoon on the Lake blowing wit
Incredible fury.-The brig Tuscarora hs
been wrecked and her crew saved only l
means of life boats.
The steamer Sevastopol from Milwauk
is ashore with the waves breaking over he
fearfully. Men women and childred are vi
ible on board, but it is impossible to relie'
them. The Sebatopol had commenced to {
to pieces from the fury Of the storm.
CHICAGO, Sept. 19.-The passengers Of Il
steamer Sebastopol are all saved, but tt
vessel and lays are a total loss. The br
Tascarora had entirely disappeared tn
morning, broke in pieces.
ATLANTIC AND n. G. RAIL RoAD.-Th
Road, when constructed, will connect wi
the North Carolina Road at Goldsboro', al
will extend to Beauf rt IIarbor, being
length about ninety-one miles. The distan
from Goldsboro' to Newborn, 81 miles.
We learn that the work between Newbe
and Goldsboro' is progressing rapidly. I
nlgn price OF iron may uelay, lOF d SUI
time, the completion ofthe Road from Ne
bern to Beaufort. Forty-fve hundred to
of rail have been purchased at fair pric
and one Thousand tons delivered at Newbel
Two ships, loaded with iron for the Roa
sailed from England for Beaufort in Augl
last. 1t is expected that the contractors W
commence laying rails in November next
We learn that the Road is to be nearly
air line. The warehouses at Shepard's Poi
IN Beaufort Harbor-the point at which t
Road is to terminate-are to be so locat
and constructed that a ship drawing twent
: one feet, may discharge and receive freig
from the same directly and at Newbe
| the warehouses will be similarly located a
f constructed-thus saving to farmers a
: merchants the expenses ofdrayage, &c. L
: is an important arrangement, and cannot f
to add to the value Of the work.
The atlantic Road, we are assured, is
! be constructed Of durable materials, and
: be made, in every respect, a first class Ro,