A FATAL WEDDING FEAST.

Temuka Leader, Issue 359, 5 March 1881, Page 2

A FATAL WEDDING FEAST.

Particular! hare been received of I a terrible poisoning case in Tennessee. I The marriage of Mr Joel Hembree and I Miss •• Jane Dale, of Roane Cotmtjr, I drew together a ilarga coaipany of their I

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 to the hospitable board of Colonel Dale, the bride and bridegroom in the meantime withdrawing. The table was bountifully supplied, and all ate heartily. The was spent in festivities. Another Jitippei' was served. After the second several guests began complaining "of illness, but it was laughed off and the gaiety continued. About eleven o'clock a sudden lethargy seemed to overtake the whole company, and in a few minutes twenty-seven were unconscious. The few who retained consciousness set themselves to work to resuscitate their companions but without avail. Twelve were removed to other houses in the neighbourhood, and, as the news spread, .the whele country around was aroused with excitemrnt, as nearly eyery prominent family had menders present at the fatal feast. Such medical aid as could be summoned could give little relief, and two days after the occurrence six of the wedding guests were dead. Robert Dale the bride's brother, died next day. Mike May, a relative of the groom, di«d in a few hours. Albert Gallagher and Mattie Lovelace, well-known .young people, died next day. Two young girl** Emma Peters and Kate Lowey, died within twenty-four hours. Colonel Dale and his wile were very low, and their death was momentarily expected. The Cause of the tragedy was the wse of arsenic instead of salt in seasoning the chickens. "Colonel Dale purchased a quantity of arsenic a day or two before to kill crows and carelessly left U in the kitchen. A blundering servant mistook it for salt, and hence the fatal results. Only those who partook of the chickens were poisoned.