THE FATAL WEDDING FEAST IN AMERICA.

Evening Post, Volume XXI, Issue 39, 17 February 1881, Page 3

THE FATAL WEDDING FEAST IN AMERICA.

Further particulars have been received of the terrible poisoning case at Tennessee. The marriage of Mr. Joel Hembree and Miss Jane Dale, of Boane county, drew together a large company of their friends and relatives, who belong to the prominent families in the vioinity. 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 evening was spent in festivities. Another supper was served. After the second meal, several guests began complaining of illness, but it was laughed off and the gaiety continued. About 11 o'clock a sudden lethargy seemed to overtake the whole company, and in a few minutes 27 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 neighborhood, and, as the news spread, the whole country around was aroused with excitement as nearly every prominent family had members present at the fatal feast. Such medical aid as could be summoned oould 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, died in a few hours. Albert Gallagher and Miss Mattie Lovelace, well-known young people, died next day. Two young girls, Emma Peters and Kate Lowey, died within 24 hours. Colonel Dale and his wife were very low, and their death was momentarily expected. The cause of the tragedy was the use 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 it in the kitchen. A blundering servant mistook it for salt, and hence the fatal results. Only those who partook of the chickens were poisoned.