The Opelousas courier., 1903-01-24
1OUsAs, PARISH OF ST. LANDRY. La. JANUARY r. 1903
Horrible Tragedy.

u AN0SoJ t1 htAASAA - VII
the Florence, Alabama, Times O.
Jan. 2, 1908, where the unfortu
nate affair occurred. Capt. Cal
T. Carson was a brother of Judge
E. P. Carson, of Shuteston, who
has the deepest sympathy of host
of friends in this sad bereave
ment:
On Sunday morning last ou1
city was shocked by the announc.
ment that Capt. Cal. F. Carson
had, the night preceding, killed
his granddaughter, Ida Brown
and then had committed suicide.
The news spread rapidly through
the city, and Throughout the morn,
ing friends called ut the humble
home to learn the details of the
horrible affair.
At 8 O'clock on Sunday morn
ing. when Mrs. NJ. L. Smith, q
neighbor, went to the Mr. Carson S
home to cook breakfast for the
two inmates, the horrible truth
was revealed to her. In the front
room east, in one corner, lay the
young woman dead, carefully COW
cred with bed clothing. Her
mouth, chin and breast were
burned by what developed to be
carbolic acid, which had been
given her by her grandfather. In
another corner of the room lay
Capt. Carson, with his throat cut
practically from ear to ear, the
wind-pipe being completely cut
in two. The large veins were
not cut, though the gashes in the
neck were deep. 1t is thought
four or more slashes were made
by the desperate man. Pools of
clotted blood and the razor lay on
the floor. The wounded man pre-
sented d horrible sight. He was
conscious, bat was in such Il con-
dition that nc could make himself
only poorly understood. Several
doctors came promptly to tele-
phone calls and rendered all pos
sible surgical attention. Later in
the day he was moved to the city
lnfrmary, where at 10 O'Clock
Sunday night he breathed his last.
On Monday afternoon he was in
Lerred in the cemetery, IL number
Of Confederate veterans attending
in a body. At the same time the
body of his granddaughter was
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at the residence.
Captain Carson was one of the
best known men in our county,
and at different times has held
various Offices of trust, having
been sheriff, deputy sheriff, cir
cult court clerk, constable, mag
istrate and policeman. He was Il
brave Confederate soldier, having
risen from the ranks TO the posi-
ton of captain. He entered the
service in the company mustered
in by Capt. A. D. Coffee, known
as Co. G, 10Th Alabama Regiment.
For some years past he had suf-
fered severely, and his way in life
was a hard one. He was 78 years
of age, too old TO earn a living,
with no one to provide for him,
and with the additional care upon
him of the poor woman who died
at his hands and for whom he had
a singularly strong affection. All
these things, 1t is believed, led to
bis rash act. His burden had be-
come too heavy to be borne, and
he was not willing to 60 and leave
his charge to the cold charity of
the world. He bought the poison
with which he destroyed the poor
woman at Cromwell's drug store
Friday morning. For weeks pre-
vious to the tragedy he had been
unusually downcast, and it is NOT
doubted that he concluded with
deliberation to perform the bloody
deed. He wrote a note to Capt
j. B. White, city clerk, asking
that $40, which he held for him
and $40 on his person be used fol
his interment.
This is one of the most horrible
deeds ever committed in this com
munity, and yet, strange to say
no one has been found to utter ;
word of harsh criticism upon it
perpetrator. Our people know
of the fatherly and tender deyo
ton of the old man for his poo
crippled grand-child, and they be
lieve that his destruction of he
life was accomplished because h
could not reconcile with his NOR
bid affection the idea of leavlnI
her to suffer in the hands of en-
tire strangers. She was "a year
old, fearfully deformed, and a
imbecile. He knew that ther
was nothing in life for her, bu
that = the the eff ether ct her her III
could have been little less tha
torture.
1.-The incest and pleasantes
medicine / have used for indiges
ton and constipation is Chamber
lain's Stomach and Liver Tai
let's SAYS Melard 4. Craig, c