Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-06-29
EVENING STAR.
LOCAL EW 8.
Terris,. Tragedy In Al.xandria,

Terrible Tragedy In Alexandria.
YOUNG LADY BURNT To DsATH-BER LOVER
SHOOTS HIHsKkF.
The ancient city of Alexandria was on Sat-
urday night the scene Of tragedy more dis
tressing its details than any which has vet
occurred there. About O'Clock, Miss Laura
Sshaner, the daughter of Mr.. Christian Schaf-
fer, an old CITIZEN OF Alexandria, residing and
keeping confectionery store on Fairfax street
near the market house, while coming down the
passag stars with coal oil lamp in her hand,
hooked her heel in the step and was thrown 10
the bottom. The lamp striking on the way was
broken, and the OIL catching fire dashed in
every direction, setting fre 10 everything in its
vicinity. As the clothing of the young lady
was saturated with the burning iQid she was
soon wrapped in flames, and Law amid the
burning mass, suffering terribly A gentleman
VINO v as standing opposite says that the glare
Whsch daTted from the passage way was so
bright that he supposed the whole interior of
the house was in flames Alarmed by her
serleks, the mother of the young lady rushed
10 Der assistance but was driven on by the
names, not, however, till she had suffered
serious injuries in the endeayor to save her
daugheer Mr.. Thomas Burrage, whose estab-
Esbment Is opposite the scene of the accident,
also rzshed TO the spot, and, tearing the burn
ing clothing from Miss Schaffer, succeeded IN
extinguIshing the flames. His aid came too
late; the sufferer had been fatally injured
Notwithstanding surgical skill, she suffered
intensely. and died ~ IL O'Clock yesterday
Miss Schaffer was about twenty-three years OF
age ana was a young lady OF great personal
charms, and had a large circle of admirers
She was engaged 10 be married to Mr.. Charles
IennIsOn, yOong man OF the same city, we'll
known for his kindness OF heart and agreeable
manners- As might be supposed, he felt Sc
yerely the shock produced by the sad accident
above recorded, and as the SEQ uel has proved,
was unable 10 bear up under the affection Du-
rlng the whole night and morning after the ac-
CldeDt he was inconsolabe. and upeu hearing
OF the death OF his betrothed became nearly
frantic. About one o'clock he went with Mr.
Green- one OF the partners of DownhRm IL
Green, in 10 the liquor establishment of the lat
ter, on King near Fairfax street. within a few
rods of the place where Miss Schaher lay dead,
and while Green " as not observing him, nut a
loaded pistol 70 his right temple and fired The
tall entered the brain, and he fell DIR. n NJ
Lewis vas called TO his assistance, but his con-
dltlon was beyond the skill of the surgeon He
Is the son of Mr.. Samuel Tennison, the proprl-
etor OF the well-know restaurant near the Man
sion House.
While the crowd was thought TO be gathered
near ne establishment of DOwnham Il Green,
young friend of Tennison named James
Wood, no had Just come ont from viewing
the nearly lnanimaie remains OF his compan ion,
tainted and fell heavily on the pavement. He
was mmedIately attended to by Dr. lie Wis
but al one lime il was feared that there would
be- another catastrophe to chronicle. He. how
be carried home.
This is the most lamentable affair which ha.
occurred in Alexandria since the memorable
18th OF November, 1855, when seven of the bes I
citizens of the town were buried by the fall of
The wall Of the same building in which young
TennIson came TO his death The parties are
weL-knOwn, have large circles of friends, and
the MOURNING for these unumely events is
wide spread.
LATER--The condition of Mr.. Tennison az 10
O'Clock tins morning was very critical. and no
hopes are entertained of his recovery. The ball
remain embedded IN the brain in such a man.
ner as TO render an attempt Al extraction iney-
table death. The unfortunate Young man who
has fingered In an unconscious state from the
occurrence OF the affair, was TO have been mar
ned 20 Miss Schaffer within few weeks His
tather, Mr.. Samuel TenneSon. Is the we'll
known proprietor of a restaurant in Alexan-
dria, near the Mansion House