The Daily Dispatch: August 29, 1864., [Electronic resource]

Life in Atlanta.

‘ On the night of the 12th instant, a widow lady, by the name of Mrs. Sarah Collins, a refugee from Memphis, Tennessee, was invited to attend a ball which was to be given at the Medical College that evening. She attended the ball, not suspecting but what all was right and proper. Some time during the following day this lady was found dead in her bed. No one knew at what hour of the night she returned home from the ball. When she was found it was discovered that her throat was perfectly black where she had been choked; her arms were bruised, and her body terribly mutilated; her clothing was torn and muddy, as though she had been dragged through the mud by some villain who had violated her person. Mrs. Collins occupied a high position in the first circles of this city at the time of her death, and was respected and beloved by all who knew her. An inquest was held over her remains, and the jury brought in a verdict that she came to her death at the hands of those who had her in charge at the ball. Proper steps have been taken which will lead to the apprehension and punishment of the parties implicated and bring them to a speedy retribution.

’