Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-07-09
The Tragedy in Alexandria.

with the accident ny Whlch MISS Laura
Schafer lost her life 1t says:
..Sbe had been dressing for the evening
in her own room, in the third sorry of her
| fathers residence, on Fairfax street, her
grandmother, Mrs. Ballenger lad y of
some eighty years, being In the room with
her. In her fathers room, adjoining hers,
stood large bureau, in drawer Of which
she kept Der hankerchiefs, and, having
completed her toilet. she took the kerosene
oil lamp, she had been using, in her hand
and went into that room for one, leaving
her grandmother in her own chamber.
She had hardly reached the centre Of her
| fathers room before she heard the lamp
crack, and was instantly aware that she
was covered with the burning fluid She
Immediately threw the lamp froni her to
the hearth. aud ran Gown stairs screaming
piteously for help.
Mr. Philips, her brother-in law, who
was sitting at the front-door steps, hearing
her cries. rushed into the house, and saw
her rapidly descending the stairs envelop-
ed IL flames that extended far above her
head She reached the bottom of the
steps about the same time he did and
her mother. who had been startled by her
cries, and had met her there, was endeav-
oring Intellectually to extinguish the flames
when he arrived AS soon as she saw him
she turned from her mother, and beseech-
ly implored him to save her He at once
threw of his coat. and wrapping it around
her, soon succeeded in subduing the firery
element; but, alas! not until it had ac-
complisbed its bideous work. Her grand
mother, with blanket quenched the fire
III Mr. Schafer's room. and in all proba-
bility had the young lady, in her fright,
not lave gone down stars, would also have
extinguished the flames which surrounded
her
''Dr. Lewis, who vas at once sent for,
in short time arrived. and every expedi-
ent that science could suggest or art apply
shat 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 shortly after II
o'clock she was relieved of her sufferings
''Abou three hours after her death, OR
about 2 O'clock, Mr.. Charles Tennesson,
son of Mr.. Samuel Tennesson, young
gentleman well and favorably known in
the community, who rumor says, was en-
gagged to be married to the deceased, and
who had been her constant companion for
years-she refusing to have other compa-
ny-and who was at her bedside when she
died, sent from the residence of hissfather
for friend, Mr.. Henry Green, to come
and see him. and when Mr., Green arriv-
ed proposed to walk with him to Nh Scha-
fers house. Mr. Green consented, and
the two walked down on the way to Mr.
Schafer's residence: up which they proceed
ed as far as the gate leading into the whole
sale liquor store of Downham & Green, of
which firm his friend was member At
this gate Mr.. Tennesson stopped, and pro-
posed to 60 into the store, but Mr.. 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
entering the store he said be believed he
would take drink, and Mr. Green hav-
ing drawn him what he desired and han
ded it to him as he stood in the middle of
the store, he drank it. giving as toast;
Here's to you and I-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 turn
ing, saw Mr.. Tennesson, fall heavily to
the floor. He had deliberately drawn a
five-barrelled Whitney revolver 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 twenty minutes past
3 O'Clock this evening, never having recov-
cred bis consciousness since the infiiction
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 in some of the church
es. The parents of the young couple re-
ceive the sympathy of the entire commu-
nifty.
Shortly after Mr.. Tennesson shot him