Democratic Standard

DREADFUL TRAGEDY.

THREE DEATHS IN THE N. W. HUDSON'S BAY COMPANY.

The St. Louis (Mo.) Bulletin of the 24th ult. states that some of the party of the Hudson Bay Company who recently discovered a North-west Passage, or continuation of the trending of our arctic coast between the points explored by Ross, Back, and Franklin, after their return to the principal depot (York Factory) and sending home despatches thence, arrived at Lake Winnipeg. The two young men to whom the honor of the discovery belonged, hastening home to England for the prize of the British Government, got into a serious dispute. They differed as to the route to be taken. Mr. Simpson, with Messrs. Bird & Legros, and 20 or 30 of the colonists struck across for St. Peters on the Mississippi, to return by the lakes and New York. Mr. Dease, his compeer, with another party, set out for the Canadas. Mr. S., wrought upon almost to a degree of insanity with the feverish apprehension that his competitor would reach London first, on the day they were camping at Turtle River, June 20, suddenly shot Mr. Bird through the heart, and with the other barrel of his gun wounded Mr. Legros mortally. There were only two present, a son of Mr. Legros and another. Simpson permitted Legros to embrace his dying father, and asked the latter if there had not been a conspiracy between him and Bird, with intention to assassinate him (Simpson) that night. Legros confessed there had, but afterwards denied. Simpson ordered the two men to mount and return with him to the settlement, but they dashed off and overtook the main body 18 miles ahead. They all returned to the camp in the morning, and before reaching there they got a glimpse of Simpson, and heard the report of his gun. They attempted to intimidate him from firing at them by firing three volleys towards him. On coming up they found that he had already murdered himself, his head being torn to pieces.

"Far in the wild, unknown to public view," the three bodies were committed to the same grave by their companions, who then pursued their route, with feelings more easily conceived than described.

The party arrived at St. Peters about the first of July, in possession of the important papers and other property of the ill-fated Simpson.

Mr. Aitkin further states that the whole matter is involved in mystery, which time only can clear up.

The unfortunate Simpson was a native of Scotland, and nephew of the present Governor of the H. B. Co. He was about 28 years of age, possessed of fine talents, an amiable disposition, and the universal esteem of those who knew him.