Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-08-09
AIFFLINTOWN. JUNArA COUNTY, PENN'A, AUGUST
AWFUL TRAGEDY.
A Husband Witnesses the Death Sf HI,
Wife and Three Little Children Poison
ed BY Her Own Hand.

A Husband Witnesses the Death Sf His
Wife and Three Little Children Poison.
ed BY Her Own Hand.
The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin of
few days ago says: The most awful
and appalling tragedy that has stirred
the hearts of any community for many a
yea'. occurred in Ellington county, about
two miles above station % on the Cen
trail railroad, about three o'clock yester-
day morning.
Mrs. Ash. the wife of John H. Ash,
formerly of this city. killed her three
children. and herself by administering a
sufficient quantity of strychnine to pro-
duce instantaneous death.
1t appears from what we could learn
from gentleman who was an eye witness
to the horrifying scene, that Mrs. Ash,
formerly Miss Laura Dasher, of Efing-
ton county. has for short time past
been slightly deransed, at least she was
suspected 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 apprehen-
ded, except that her husband felt little
anxious about her. and communicated
with her brother on the subject. This
was all No more serious apprehension
was felt. although her husband continued
to keep strict watch over her conduct
A short time previous he had purchased
small bottle of strychnine for the pur
pose of destroying the rats and dogs that
we're rapidly killing off their poultry
This be secreted in the night time. taking
the precaution to lock it up in an old bu-
reau drawer. hiding the key in place
least likely to be discovered by his wife,
no other person in tue 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, but did not sus-
pect anything, although it contained an
account of her feelings towards certain
members of her family, with whom there
was some unpleasantness. Mr.. Ash took
all three of the children in bed with him
self and wife. Mr.. George Patterson, a
friend and relative of Mrs. Ash, occn-
pied an adjoining room.
About three o'clock yesterday mdrn-
ing he and 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 spoon from the mouth Of the
Oldest child. little girl. who had strug-
eled and resisted until her cries woke her
father and his friend, both of whom feel
ing alarmed asked her what she was
doing. She replied, "Only giving the
children little powder, and am afraid
that have not given them enough
They begged and entreated her to tell
them what she had given them-Mr. Ash
tasting the powder which be discovered
on the mouth of one of the children, dis
covered that it was quite bitter. She
finally took him to the bureau drawer
and showed him the bottle of strychnine
from which she had dosed herself first
and then each one of her three little ones.
1t was but short time after this before
the mother young woman about twen-
ty-fve years old, and her three interest
ing little children, two gills and one boy.
were lying stiff and cold in the arms of
death.
Dying in rapid succession, one after
the other, tho mother. although the first
to take the poison, lived to see her chill
dren die. and then followed them herself.
1t is sale the struggles of the poor little
creatures were awful the oldest falling
backwards. was drawn together in such
manner that her head and feet nearly
touched each other. The afflicted father
held bis little ones and bis wife in his
arms till they breathed their last.
Tho tina was too abort from the dis.
covery of the deed to procure any aid,
although a physician was Immediately
sent for. He arrived in time to save the
father, who, in his efforts to discover what
the drug was, had swallowed enough to
render his condition dangerous. Mr.. Pat
terson came to this city yesterday after
noon to procure coffins to bury the dead,
and as coon as he returns an inquest
will be held previous to the interment.
Nor many miles from Boston certain
farmer owned contrary horse. While
driving home with a load Of hay some
time since, the horse concluded not to
move any further; whereupon the farm
er pulled out small quantity of the hay,
placed it under the horse and set it on
fire. The fire had the desired effect, for
it obliged the horse to move. He started
forward just enough to clear the Aauies.