The Daily Dispatch: December 7, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Attempted Murder of a mother and Daughter.

‘ We learn from Dr. R. A. New, who arrived from Tensas parish yesterday, that a fiendish attempt was made on last Saturday night at the house of the widow of Captain J. J. Tyson, of Kirk's Ferry, to kill her little daughter and herself, and two negro women. The assassin glided into her room late at night, and with an axe or hatchet struck the parties about the head, face and neck, horribly mutilating them. He failed, however, in the work of death, but the physicians say the little child, of about six years of age, will not recover — the others may.

The screams of Mrs. T., and the alarm given by the plantation bell, together with the screams of the servants soon brought assistance. The murderer was tracked by the spots of blood to an adjoining room. Dr. New says it is well known to whom belongs the weapon with which the work of death was attempted. It is also believed that the villain will soon be apprehended. Intense excitement prevails throughout the neighborhood in relation to the affair.

’