The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-09-11
a Very Melancholy Affair,
ksburg Times, August Is.

FROM The NlckSburg I1n-eS, August Is.
On Tuesday evening last, very gay party of young
ladies and gentlemen some from this city, the re-
mainder residing in the vicinity of that place, were
assembled at the residence of Mrs. 4. L. Hebron, the
respected widow Of the late Colonel John Hebron
near Bovina, in this county The evening passed off
most pleasantly, and the usual amusements of dancing
were mingled with music, conversation and the prom
enade beneath moon of dazzling splendor. Light
hearts beat happily, bright eyes grew brighter, and
fair cheeks flushed by whispered praises of their
leve!iness. When the "wee small hours warned
the delighted guests, that like all things earthly
their pleasant evening at end.''
Within the brief space of time that has elapsed
since those glad young spirits parted Wednesday
ing seven have uttered their last good night" and
have passed beyond the river Of death twelve Others
are still ILL., and some of them, regret say, are
quvering between life and DEATH tottering on the
very brink Of the grave. Among those who have al
ready pershed, we note the names of Miss Rebecca
Hebron, Miss Ellen Tribble Mr. James BiIliugslea,
Wm Tribbe, Hal. Wilkins, Thornton StbreshIy, and
Allen Auter. Those i'll are Miss Eollie Downing
of this city, Miss Victoria Batchelor and Miss Viola
Brabston, of the BoFina nes shb0rh0od and Messrs.
Joseph and Alex. Johnston brothers, Granville Hicks
Andrew and Henry Boles, brothers, A. g. Brooks
Capt. J. NJ Bachelor, Henry Brabston and William
Hunter.
All the parties similarly affected and each had
we learn strong symptoms of cholera; but under
stand that the medical gentlemen in attendance con
cur in the opinion that the gness at the party were
poisoned, possibly by having come poisonous sub
stance administered in soe portion CT the food This
opinion is strengthened the report that such guests
did participate IN the lighter refreshments of
the evenDg-cakes, ices and coufects-have expert
enced no Inconvenience We trust the affair may be
thoroughly investigated to the end that if so horrible
crime as poisoning large party of innocent young
ladies and gentlemen has been committed the guilty
perpetrators of the atrocity may be brought to con
dign punishment.
In addition to the names of those we have men
toned learn that FIVE servants have died from the
same cause, and with the same general symptoms, and
it is suspicious fact that each of those servants &C.
panied of the guests in the capacity of per-
sonal attendants So far as welearn, of the
employed in the house of Mrs Hebron, the es-
teemed lady hostess, have suffered i'll any way. As
matter Of course there many rumors in regard to
this mysterious and melancholy afiicon, but at pres
ent we forbear TO mention them 30
Cur whole community is greatly grieved and ex-
cited by this sad affair, and the sudden death of
many young persons, and dangerous Illness of so many
more, all highly respected and members of our most
esteemed families, has cast universal gloom our
citizens and brought forth, such could
fail to do the ewarmest and sincerest sympathy for
those whose hearts and houses have been shrouded in
sorrow, by the death of their sens and daughters III
this m ystercns and terrible manner. Those who yet
I've have the most prayers of whole peo-
Pile for their rescue from DEATH and restoration to life
and health