Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 December 1880 — Wholesale Poisoning at a Wedding Festival. [ARTICLE]

Wholesale Poisoning at a Wedding Festival.

A Cincinnati telegram to the Chicago Tribune nays: Further particulars are received here to-night of the terrible poisoning case in Tennessee. The marriage of Joel Hembric and Miss Jane Dale, of Koane county, drew a large company of the friends and relatives, who belong to 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 were invited to the hospitable board of Col. Dale, the bride and groom in the meantime withdrawing. The table was bountifully supplied and all ate heartily. The evening was spent in festivities, and at a late hour another meal was served. After the second meal several guests began complaining of illness, but it was laughed off, and the gayetv continued. About 11 p. m. 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 at work to resuscitate their companions, but without avail. Twelve were removod 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 could give little relief, and in 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 Lowry, died within twenty-four hours. Col. Dale and wife are very low, and their death is mbmentarily expected. The cause of the tragedy was using arsenic instead of salt for the seasoning of chickens. Col. 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. None but those who partook of the chicken were poisoned..