The New York herald., 1872-08-13
DEATH IN THE FREEZER,
A North Carolina Negro Poisons rwsntv-,ix Per.
sons by Ice Crsam-Several Not Expected to
Recover-Tragic Ending to 'soeial"-
Arrest of the Alleged Poiscusr.

Y,
The arrest Of negro at Ruf1n's Depot, tae
Richmond and Danvile Railroad to-day brought
to light the facts OF o most dlabolical attempt to
murder large party Of ladies and gentlemen by
POISONING THE ICE CREAM
which was served up at supper given at the resi-
dence OF the Rev. r. H. Fontaine. at Redsve. In the
adjoining county of Rockingham The details OF this
nendsh attempt TO murder twenty six In nocent per-
sons, including some young ladies Of the county and
all OF whom were belonging to tho cute OF society In
this state, have hitherto been kept in the pro-
foundest secrecy owing to measures which were
promptly instituted to effect the arrest Of the
w0uld-be wholesale assassin. Mr.. Fontaine, who
Is the principal Of a female academy at RctdsvIio.
wound up Ills annual commencement exercises
with party to which he invited all the youth and
beauty OF the surrounding country It appears that
some days before this gathering Mr.. Fontaine en-
ployed as nurse the wife Of ..r.e.,sr
JIM JOHNSON, a NEGRO,
who was necessarily also domiciled on the prem
ises Jim Johnson and his wife, not keeping before
their eyes the solemn promise made when Joined
In wedlock to love and cherish each other, had q
slight misunderstanding and, when they failed to
convince each other by words, came to blows. In
the contest which followed Jim Johnson, In fury
Of rage, struck Child OF Mr.. Fontaine's, which
was then in its nurses arms, blow, which for
time appeared to endanger Its life. AS soon as
Mr.. Fontaine heard OF this gross outrage In a mo-
ment of indignation he seized large switch ana
gave the negro sound thrashng. ALI
parties then male friends. and the
whole affair would have been forgotten but for the
terrible calamity which has 80 suddenly stricken
down large number or young people, almost In
the midst OF the innocent amusements that always
take place at social reunion, and which 1t Is now
feared will send many to premature graves.
On the evening OF the 18th inst. the entertainment
spoken OF above was given, and al things went
supper and departed to find peaceful rest All these
escaped from injury. 1t was at this time that Mrs.
Fontaine unfortunately requested Jim Johnson to
REFREEZE THE ICE CRsAM
which had melted from the extreme heat 1t was
then the poison was administered and In this way
the guests became the victims OF this human hend
in his attempt to wreak cowardy vengeance for
his supposed grievance. The evening passed or
pleasantly and, after mutual congratulations, the
crowd separated. In few hours all these persons.
to the number OF twenty-sx who had so lately
been In the enjoyment of perfect health, were
SEIZED WITH VIOLENT COMMISSIONS,
pain at the stomach and head and other symptoms
OF a deadly nature. The anxiety OF the people IN
the village became intense when they learned that
one after another was suddenly brought so near to
deaths door. All remedies known to science failed
lent death stared the victims in the face Fortu-
naely no one has yet died, but the physicians now
''' sEvERAL WILL NOT RECOVER. 49,
A young man, w. NJ Houston. associate editor oY
the record, democratic paper published at Relda-
dence, in this town. He too, was victim OF this
foul attempt to murder. The fact that Jim Johnson
had been very angry with Mr. Fontaine, that the
persons who ate cream before he was sent to freeze
It suffered no sickness, and that he, even when
pressed by his wife, perststently refused TO touch
worLD NOT ALLOW HER TO TOUCH ANY,
soon led to his being suspected. The physicians.
under advice kept the supposed cause secret until
the woud-be polsoner could be arrested, war
rant for his arrest accordingly issued, but ne
had sought safety in flight, thinking that ne had
fully accomplished his leviish work. Active search
was made for him, and he was to-day found at
Runns depot, living under an assumed name.
When arrested he
CALLED LOUDLY UPoN THE NEGROES TO RESCUE
HIM,
and but for the GOODNESS and bravery ofthe Deputy
Sheriff, James Dalton, serious riot would have
taken place. From all the lights that can be oh
taned on the subject the proofs against Jim john
son appear well founded and his work would have
been only too Well done but for the active measures
Rcidsville, who, from the drst symptoms,
discovered poisoning and promptly administered
the proper antidotes which In time had the effcct
Of relieving some Of the. sufferers. The most in-
tense excitement prevails In the community In
which the outrage took place. and now, though
JOhnsOn's preliminary examination Is In progress
| before o magistrate he would be ynched but for
the law abiding spirit OF the people OF North Caro-
! limo