The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-05-31
TEN PERSONS POISONED.

TEN PERSONS POISONED.
We learn from gentleman who arrived here
Yesterday morning from Newberry, 5. e., that ON
Thursday evening last the household OF Mr. Kobt.
Stuart, consisting of four white persons and SIX
negroes, were, shortly after supper, seized with
violent spasms of retchng, vomiting and other lndi
cations of having been poisoned. The news spread
with great rapidity and a crowd soon collected
On examination, the chocolate cakes remaining on
the table were found to contain arsenic. The cook
a mulatto girl was called in and on being question
ed, confessed to administering the deadly drug;
and carried witnesses to the place where she had
buried the remnant of the poison. She at the
same time charged Mr. Saunders, whom we learn
is an apprentice at the Helena Work Shops, with
having furnished her with it. The dlslnterred
package was identified by the druggis as having
been sold bv him to Mr. Saunders. Mrs. inform
ed the druggist that he intended to kill rats with
it, He had been twice to purchase 1T, the second
time saying that the first was not strong enough
1t appears that when the first administered,
only the housekeeper affected and but slightly
We are further informed that Mr. and Mrs
Stuart were lying very low, without any hope OF
their recovery. Mrs Wilkes was supposed to be
dying All the members of the family who were
at supper were affected, except Mrs Kate Stuart,
dauehter-in-aw One of the negroes was also
thought to be dying. Much excitement prevails In
the village. Mr. Stuart is very prominent cltlzen
and one of the oldest merchants in the upper part
of the State No cause is given further than tn at
Mr. Stuart had threatened to chastise the girl tor
her misconduct. Mr. Saunders and the girl have
both been arrested Coluna6ia CdrOttntdn, 18th
A TERRIBLE Observation-Disclosures and Lynch
Luu.-James Roper, planter, who had migrated
from Alabama to Texas was murdered, on the I'd
instant, near Grand Cane, Texas, by his slave,
who afterwards burnt his master body. letter
says:
The negro said Indians had killed him, but the
evidence of the stage driver against him, and
he owned the whole. On Saturday, April 10th,
the negro was burned alive on the spot where he
had killed his master. His back was examined,
and no indication appeared of his ever having been
whipped. Mr.. Roper was conner, and the
negro had left wife in Alabama. The rest OF
Mr. Roper's family wished to return to Alabama,
but Mr.. Roper opposed to it, but promised the
negro to purchase his wife next year, if money
could buy her. as he had to return and collect
some money; but this the negro thought was too
long to wait; and he thought that if his master
was put out of the way the rest of the family
would 60 back to Alabama at once. He did not
believe they were going to burn him, even after
the fire was kindled He made speech to some
negroes assembled on the occasion, warning them
against the crime He did not struggle until he
was involved with the flames. In his boot was
SMALL Pox IN WINNsBoRo'- regret to
learn that the reports of this disease having spread
in Winnsboro' are really true. young lady and
| a negro woman now down with it, and though
the Physicians deny its existence in form,
considerable alarm is manifest. The school, at
that place, has lost several Of it's scholars With
care, and prudence, we think its progress will be
slow.-Rock Hill Chronicle.
Up COUNTRY CRops.-Durns the week we had
several fine rains after long spell of dry weather.
which came in good time to benefit the oat and
potato crops, which had suffered some. The wheat
crop looks remarkably well, and promises an
abundant yield.-Suteme Press, May 20.
VERDICT OF SLANDER-In the suit fer SANDER
tried in our Superior Court this week the jury
rendered verdict for the plaintiff, Jos Perry of
$500. The suit was brought against defendant
Malachi Bell for sanderous words used by the wife
of defendant, against the wife of the plaintiff
Such exemplary damages, trust, will induce
ladies to place bride that most unruly member,
the tongue.-Bc.ufoH Journal.
SAD CAsE.-The Petersburg (Va) Express
says there is beggar the streets of that city,
who ga few weeks ago. we'll to do merchant
near Lynchburg. He came to Richmond to buy
| goods bringing s. $500, every cent Of which he
lost with courtezans at night gaming. He was
very drunk and has been so ever since. He VOWS
never to return home
FATAL DUEL.-A duel was fought in the
vicinity of Mobile on Tuesday atthe old race track,
between NJ. G. Wick, of Nicksburg, Miss, and
Jas. H. Stth, of New Orleans. They met with
rifles at forty PAGES, and Mr. Wick fell dead at the
first fire, the ball Of his antagonist penetrating
| the brain.
ssg= Three Virginians, Col. Steptoe, Capt G..
W. Carr and Lieut.. Pegram, of the Army have
been ordered by the I S. Government to Sardinia
there to gather information from the struggle
about to be witnessed in that territory. Their
duties will be similar to those of the American
Commission which was sent to the Crimea on the