The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-08-02
AN AWFUL TRAGEDY.
sickening and Hcart-rending Scene

most awful and appalling tragedy that
has stirred the hearts Of any community
in this section for many year, ifever
before, occurred in Ehugham County,
about two miles above station No. 81.
on the Central Railroad, about 8 o'clock
on Monday morning.
Mrs. Ash, the wife of John H. Ash,
formerly Of Savannah, killed her three
little children, aud afterwards commit
ted suicide by administering sufficient
quantity of strychuine to produce almost
instantaneous death.
1t appears from what we could learn
from gentleman who was an eye witness
to the horrifyiug scene, that Mrs. Ash,
formerly Miss Laura Dasher, Of Efug.
ham County, has, for short time past,
been slightly derauged-at least she was
expected of being in this condition from
certain singular appearances and conduct
noticeable to those nearest her and in
most continuous association with her.
However, nothing serious was appre-
hended, except that her husband felt a
little anxious about her, and commune
Gated with her brothers On the subject.
This was all. No more serious appre
hensiou was felt, although her husband
continued to keep strict watch over
her conduct. A short time previous he
had purchased a small bottle Of strych.
nine for the purpose OF destroying the
rats and dogs that were rapidly killing
off their poultry. This he secreted 10
the night time, taking the precaution
te lock it up in an old bureau drawer,
hiding the key in place least likely to
be discovered by his wife, no other per-
son in the house knowing of the hiding
place. Sunday night all went to bed as
usual, though before retiring Mrs. Ash
sat down and wrote long letter, to
whom We could not ascertain; her
husband read the letter, but did not
suspect anything, although it contained
an account of her feelings towards certain
members Of her family, with whom there
vas soma unpleasautness. Mr.. Ash
took all three of the children in bed
with himself and his wife. Mr.. Geo.
Patterson, friend aud relative Of Mrs.
Ash's, occupied an adjoining room.
About three o'clock Monday morning,
he aud Mr.. Ash, were aroused by the
cries Of two Of the children, and enter
ing the room found Mrs. Ash in the act
of taking q spoon from the mouth of the
oldest child, little girl, who had strus-
g!ed aud resisted until her cries awoke
her father and his friend, both Of whom
feeling alarmed, asked her what she was
doing. She replied, "only giving the
children little powder, and am afraid
that have not given them enough" i"
They begged and cn,reated her to tell
them what she had given them. Mr..
Ash tasting the powder which he per.
ceived on the mouth Of one Of the
children, discovered that i. was quite
bitter. Size finally took him to the
bureau drawer and showed him the bot
tie Of strychnine from which she had
ldosed herself first, and then each one Of
her three little ones. 1t was but short
time after this before the mother, o
young woman about twenty-five years
old, and her three interesting little
children, two girls and one boy, were
lying stiff and cold in the arms Of
death. Dying 10 rapid succession, one
after the other, the mother, although
the first 20 take the poison, lived to see
ber children all die, and then followed
them herself. 1t is said the struggles
of the poor little creatures were awful,
tho oldest. FILLING backwards, was drawn
together in such manner that her
head and feet nearly touched each
other. The afflicted father held his
little ones and his wife 10 his arms till
they breathod their last. The time was
too short from the discovery ofthe deed
to procure any aid, although physi-
clan was Immediately sent for. He
arrived 10 time to save the father. who,
in his efforts to discover what the drug
was. had swallowed enough to render
his condition DANGEROUS. Mr.. Patterson
came to Savannah Monday afternoon to
procure eofiDs to bury the dead, aud,
as soon as be returns, an inquest will be
held previous to the interment.