Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Extract of a letter from Salisbury, March 27.

"A very dreadful instance of the deleterious effects of the fumes of lighted charcoal presented itself on Tuesday morning, in the house of Mr. Seymour, baker, in Castle-street. Mrs. Seymour had been some time in a declining state of health, and on Monday night her two sisters and a nurse sat up with her: in the morning Mr. Seymour's maid servant went into the room and found them lying in different parts, and going to her master, reported them to be asleep; he immediately went into the room, when to his inexpressible horror and surprise, he found his wife, one of her sisters, and the nurse, dead, and the other sister scarcely sensible: medical assistance was instantly procured, but too late to recover any, save the last person, who is now out of danger, and says, that about twelve o'clock at night, finding themselves very cold, and there being no fireplace in the room, they lighted some charcoal in a pan, and when the smoke was gone off, brought it into the room; that after this she lay down by Mrs. Seymour, but observing her other sister and the nurse appeared as if fainting, and finding the room very hot, she got up, and carried out the pan of fire, and returned to assist her sister, but in going to her fell backwards. She after this, at intervals, again attempted to go to her, but as often failed, which is the only account she can render of this melancholy event."