Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-11-10

ATTEMPTED AsSAssINATION.-For some
time past Miss Mary Sanford, young lady re-
siding with Mr.. Deering dry goods merchant,
has received letters from an anonymous source,
urging private interview with the writer at
locations designated. These were UNDECIDED
until several days ago, when q note was sent to
Miss Sanford again requesting private inter
view.
Womanly curiosity fully aroused, she, accom-
panied by Mr.. Deering, proceeded to the APP
pointed place, but without meeting the mys-
terious correspondent. Another note soon fol-
lowed requesting an interview with Miss San
ford alone, and designating Monday evening
as the time, and the corner Of Fort and Eighth
street as the place. On this occasion another
gentleman escorted Miss S., while Mr.. Deer
ing and his wife walked behind. Upon near
ing the appointed place of meeting the gentle
man withdrew short distance out of sight,
and Miss S. proceeded on her way.
While passing secluded spot, a man sprang
out and dealt the lady blow on the head. She
screamed for assistance, when her sccreted es-
cort rushed to her rescue. Before reaching
her, however, the man had repeated the blow
twice; but observing help at hand fled, hotly
pursued the effort to capture him proved un-
successful. Miss Sanford was found to be Sc.
riously injured, and was taken back to Mr.
Deering' residence.
There seems to be quite romance connect
ed with this little tragedy. Miss Sanford
parents formerly lived in Lyons, Iowa, and
we're wealthy. A brother of her father and
his vile lived in New Orleans, La. and the
family Of the former-Mary being the only
daughter went to New Orleans to pay visit
to their relatives there. Miss S. was then
quite young she is now sixteen years of age.
While at New Orleans her father and mo-
Their were stricken down with yellow fever, and
died there. Her uncle and aunt subsequently
moved North and took possession Of the San
ford estate at Lyons, Iowa. They cared for
Mary, as relations should, and lived in comfort
and ease upon the fortune OF her deceased ia
Their. Mary always passed and was known as
the daughter Of the surviving Sanford until,
very recently, when the facts were made known
to her that she was living with her uncle; that her
father was dead; aud that the property which
she supposed belonged to her uncle was really
her property.
She began to assert her rights under the cir
cumstances From that time she was regarded
by her relatives as dangerous person to have
about the premises. Grievances, real or sup
posed came, and Miss Sanford having previ-
ousy formed the acquaintance of the Deering
iaIuly, VIII WSIG UuCl CuSdSCu III tuC uly
goods and millinery business at Lyons, Iowa,
was afforded shelter by them.
About two months since the Deerings came
to Detroit Tor rather returned here) and open
ed a place OF business They brought Miss
Sanford with the family.-Detroh Tribune.
---z.----
RAmRoAD STAMPS. 1t has been reserved
for the nation which originated the penny post,
to suggest the application ofSir Rowland Hills
scheme to passenger traffic. The travelling
public is to be considered as so many self dig
tributing and selfdelivering letters, stamped
at the point of deposit in the railway station,
and allowed to travel as far or as short dis
lance as they please For three penny stamp,
for instance, one may ride from London to
Greenwich, in the third class for six-penny
stamp he may ride second. class, and a shilling
will entitle him to the luxury OF plush cushions
for FIVE minutes or all day in first class carri-
age. Figures seem to favor this plan. The
average fare for each passenger carried on Eng
fish railways, taking long and short trips to-
gether, is not over fourteen pence, and the re-
duction proposed would increase the traffic to
an extent that would quite balance the loss on
Individual fares. In fact, the novelty Of the
scheme is not more startling than was that of
the present postal system, although there are
H.