Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-06-29
4 LOCAL NEWS.
-MONDAY EVENING. JUNE %. +

FATAL AND MELANCHOLY AFFAIR. On
Saturday evening last, about half-past seven
O'Clock, deplorable accident occurred to Miss
Laura M. Schafer, the youngest, and beautl.
tul daughter of Mr.. Christian Sehafer, the
welI-known and highly respected confeetioner OF
Fairfax street, which has suddenly and horribly
deprived the city Of one of its prettlest orna-
ments, and family and large circle of friends
of one of their M ost cherished members and,
incidentally, has been the occasion Of
another death, more horrible, from the fact of
its being an act of selfdestruction.
Mr. William Phillips, who married Miss
Schafer's sister, and who was at the scene OF
the accident at the time of its occurrence, gives
the following account of it, portion of which
was related to him by the unfortunate young
lady, previous to her death: She had been
dressing for the evening In her own room, In
the third story of her fathers residence, on
Fairfax street, near the corner of King; her
grandmother, Mrs. Ballenger, lady of some
eighty years, being in the room with her. In
her father room, adjoining hers, stood large
bureau, in draw of which she kept her hand
kerchiefs, and having completed her toilet, she
took the kerosene oil lamp, she had been using,
in her hand, and went into that room, tor one,
leaving her grandmother in her own chamber.
She had hardly reached the center Of her father s
room before she heard the lamp crack, and was
instantly aware that she was covered with the
burning fluid. She Immediately threw the
lamp from her to the hearth, and ran down
stairs, screaming piteously for help. Mr..
Phillips, who was sitting at the front door
steps, hearing her cries, rushed into the house,
and saw her rapidly descending the stairs, en-
veloped in flames that extended far above her
head. She reached the bottom of the steps
about the same time that he did; and her
mother, who had also been startled by her
cries, and had met her there, was endeavorlng
Intellectually to extiuguish the flames when he
arrived. AS soon as she saw him she turned
from her mother, and bessecbingly implored
him to save her. He at once threw off his coat,
and wrapping it around her soon succeeded In
subduing the fiery element; but. alas not un
til it had accom- Gshed its hideous work. Her
grandmother, with o blanket, quenched the
fire in Mr.. Schafer's room, and, in all proba-
bility, had the young lady, in her fright, not
have gone down stairs, would also have extln-
gdished the flames which surrounded him.
Dr. Lewis, who was at once sent for, IN
short time arrived, and every expedient that
science could suggest or art apply that might
possibly prevent or hinder the approach OF
death was resorted to, but in vain, for nearly
the whole surface of her body was severely
burned, and in some places to the consistency
of crisp, and on the following morning, short
ly after eleven O'Clock, she was relieved of her
suferings.
About three hours after her death, or about
Two o'clock, Mr.. Charles Tennesson, son of
Mr.. Samuel Tennesson, young gentleman
we'll and favorably known in the community,
who, rumor says, was engaged to be married
to the deceased, and who had been her constant
companion for years-she refusing to have
other company-and who was at her bed side
when she died, sent, from the residence of his
father corner of Fairfax and Cameron street,
for a friend, Mr.. Henry Green, to come and
see him, and when Mr. Green arrived, propo-
sed to walk with him to Mr. Schafer' house.
Mr.. Green consented, and the two walked down
Cameron street to Water, and down Water to
the first alley connecting that street with Fair
fax, and directly on theway to Mr. chafer' s re-
sdence, up which they proceeded as far as the
gate leading into the wholesale liquor store OF
Downham & Green, of which firm his friend
was member. At this gate Mr. Tennesson
stopped, and proposed to 60 into the store, but
MIR. Green not having the key to the back
door. told him to wait there until he went
around and obtained entrance through the
front door on King street. He agreed to this,
and was soon admitted. A short time after en-
tering the store he said be believed would take
drink, and Mr. Green having drawn him what
he desired, and handed it to him as he stood in
the middle of the store, he drank it, giving as
toast "Here's to you and l-God save u.s.
Mr.. Green took the empty tumbler, and whilst
carrying it back to the water stand was startled
by the report Of a pistol, and, turning, saw Mr..
Tennesson fall heavily to the floor. lie had
deliberately drawn five barrelled Whitney re-
volver from his pocket, and with his right hand
placed its muzzle to his right temple and
pulled the trigger. The ball entered the cavity
of his skull, and lodged upon the opposite side.
Surgical assistance was summoned at once,
but the wounded man was beyond the reach OF
the assistance to be afforded by earthly doctors.
He was taken home, where he expired at TWEEN
ty minutes past three o'clock this evening,
never having recovered his consciousness since
the infiction of his wound.
This truly melancholy affair was the subject
of general conversation yesterday and to-day,
and feeling illusions were made to it yesterday