Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-01-10
Alexandra Gazette
AND VIRGINIA ADVERTISER,
For the COuntry.)

Published Regularly on TUESDAY rs, IHURS-
DAYS md SATURDAYS, at Sic Dollars per
SINGULAR SuIClDE-About 5 O'Clock last
evening, u young man named Massett went into
Saulnlann' $ restaurant, on California street, anu
seating himself at one Of the tables, ordered
s,lmptuous repast When it was thought he
was near the end or at least half through his
repast he ordered bottle of wine costing 50,
poured and drank off about two-thirds OF the
contents, and then coolly leaning back in his
chair, drew single-barreled pistol from his
pocket, and placing the muzzle in his mouth,
fired. The report startled the people In the
restaurant, and on looking around they saw him
his mouth. Several persons rushed to him,
but he arose, and one Of the attendants sup,
ported him on his feet As soon rs he could
clear the blood out of his throat and mouth he
began to express his surprise that eaden plS-
tol bullet could be shot through Il mans mouth
and lodge in his brain without even stunning
him. He refused to give his name or any rea-
son for his act. On examination 1t was dis
covered that the bullet had grazed the root OF
his mouth, cut the palate, and descended prob
ably with the remainder Of his repast. From
the office he was taken to the station house for
safe keeping. There he conversed freely about
the matter expressing his utter astonlshment
that pistol at such shot range should fail OF
the effect intended He said he thought he
had "a dead sure thing and had he even
dreamed of failure he would have used Il blum
lerbus. He declared he had experienced much
trouble, and deemed that death was the best
way to end his mistortun2s; but added that he
was ashamed to have it known that he
had failed He is said to be relative OF
Stephen Massett, and is Il young man OF re-
spectacle appearance and good address. MN
F,unciscD B,dietin, Dec 26h.
ATTEMPT AT PoIsONING.-The Newark
Courier of Thursday evening says: Last Sat
rrday night, about ten o'clock, as Mrs Gaff
ney bridee-tender Of the Willow-street bridge
in Trenton, was preparing for bed, she heard
knock at the door, and answered it. n young
man confronted her, having large cake in his
hand, which, he said had been sent as New
Year 5 present for the daughter, young wo-
man of eighteen years, who was sleeping on the
settee. Mrs. Gaffney asked the young man to
come into the house, but he declined, saying
that he had merely been made the bearer Of
the present. Mrs. Gafney, supposing that
some one had remembered her widowhood with
a New Years gift, called her daughter, and
they proceeded to cut open the magnificent
cake. In the centre was plug OF strange
compound. which the mother tasted with the
tin other tongue. She was shortly after seized
with pains and sickness, and remained Ill tor
hours. The cake was put away, and Mrs.
liaffney preserved silence regarding the occur
renee. She anxio,lSly waited to see IT she
could find the young man who brought the
cake but, failing in that, she took the cake to
il druggist 5 in the city, who told her that it
was poisonous in the highest degree, and that
a very little of it would cause death:
The affair has created no little sensation
among the neighbors and friends of the widow,
who has been engaged some time in litigation
to secure her rightful share of property, under
her husbands will Whether the cake was
intended to poison only the daughter, or to re-
move all belonging to the widow from the
world, remains secret thus tar, and the most
careful investigation fails to discover the young
man who brought the cake.
THE LOVE ROMANCE IN SAM HoUsToN's
LIrE.-The most singular incident Ill the event
fill life of Sam Houston, and one never hlther-
to explained, was his abandonment OF the gov
ernorship of Tennessee only three days after
marrying a young wife He became voluntary
exile among the indians Of the plains tor years
thereafter, was made great chief, and only re-
appeared in public life when Texas was strug-
ptine for independence The Galveston News
lifts the veil from this secret chamber Of Hous-
tons heart by this strange narration - " nat
we know about this matter is so honorable to
him that we shall for the first time put it in
print. We may premise that our, information
is derived indirectly from one now deceased, who
during her life had a right to know what caused
this strange episode in the life ofthe great man.
Governor Houston s first bride was tennessee
belle Of surprising beauty and OF considerable
social rank. She was if not the afhanced bride,
L. Al c,yootbaorf Of q nnIuh bornD pnntlG-
man when Gov Houston sought her hand. Tier
family, being very ambitious, forced the match
and she was married. After retiring to her
bridal chamber, her department was such as to
cause him to suspect that, while her hand was
his. her heart was anothers. She confessed
the truth when interrogated, and while prom,
ising fidelity and wifely duty, declared herself
unable to love him. He at once retired from
the house He then resigned his position and
went among the Comanches. In due course OF
time the ladv sought and obtained divorce.
CoMMENDABLE AcT,-A great many persons
have an opinion that the Association for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is not dong
very great amount of good; but the president,
Mr. ri. F. Gatchcl last night, about 10
o'clock demonstrated that he ut least was de-
termined to do his work AS car No. ) was
being driven along Pennsylvania avenue be.
tween Ninth anu IeHtn Sleets, o'cr-c[o"ueu
with passengers for two poor brutes to draw,
Mr.. Gatchel called on Sergeant. kneas and
officer Markwood to arrest the driver, at the
same time showing his authority Tor such n, action m
jnctor relieve it of half Of its occupants and
e then with an ordinary load still left in the car
allowed the driver to proceed. The Remainder
of the passengers were taken by a car following
a few of them contending that the president o
to to- stop them on their way. This is commenda II;
ble in Mr.. g., and the thanks OF the commuhl
ty are due him for his prompt and decisive ac
1ion.- Washington Chronicle.