A FATAL WEDDING FEAST.

Kumara Times, Issue 1371, 22 February 1881, Page 2

A FATAL WEDDING FEAST.

Particulars have been received of a terrible 1 poisoning case in Tennessee; The marriage of: Mr Joel Hembree artel Mies Jane Dale, of Roane County, drew together a large company of their friends and relatives,- who belong to the prominent families in the vicinity',' The wedding had long been talked of; and was the social event of the year: After the Ceremony the company was, invited, td the hospitable board of Colonel Dale, the bride and bridegroom in the meantime withdrawing.- The table was bountifully supplied, and all ate heartily. The evening was spent' in festivities. Another, sapper was 1 served. After the second tiieal; several guests began complaining, of iftness; but it was laughed of, and ihe' gaiety continued. About eleven' o'clock a sadden lethargy seemed to overta'ke'tne whole company, and in a few m'intites twenty-seven were unconscious: The' few who retained consciousness js'et themselves to work to resuscitate their their companions, but without avail: Twelve were removed to other houses in the neighbourhood, and, as the news spread, the whole country was aroused with excitement, as nearly every prominent family had members present at the fatal feast. Such medical aid as conld be summoned could give .little relief arid two days after the occurrence six of the wedding guests were dead. Robert Daie v the bride's brother, died next day. Mike May, a relative of the groom, died in a few hours. Albert Gallagher and Miss Mattie Lovelace, well-known young people, died next day. Two young girls, - : Emma Meters an i Kate Lowey, died within twerity-fdur hours. Col. Dale and his wife werd very loWj and their death was momentarily ex l pected. The cause of the tragedy was the use of arsenic instead of salt in seasoning the chickens. Col. Dale purchased a quantity of arsenic a day or" two before to kill crows, carelessly left it in the kitchen. A blundering sep vant mistook it for salt, and hence the fatal results. Ouly those who partook of the chicken were poisoned.