Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-09-29
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HORIfD MURDER.
SALEM (CiAFk Go. Geo. )Stpi 2-Unou eve
" Important subject, The public miud is apt to
receive Impressions, either favorable uDia.
Notae IS tie evidences of the case may be
true or otherwise
The citzcns. OF Salem deem il therefore ex>
pedleni 10 lay BE- fore the public, without ANY
comment, tie circumstances of The murder
winch has lately iaken place in that village
murder unparalleled III it's nature, horrible in
lis pCrpeiTatjOn, hel,iSh in its design aud mn
POI tant ~ its consequences TO society.
This statement Is founded chiefly upon The
confessions OF The murderer after his appre-
herscp Previous 10 The commencement of
The unfortunate dispute, wsich eventuatet in
HE assassination Of Captain Peter Perry. by
Thomas w els, there had existed bet yFeen them
the most Intimate friendship, which continued
uniiiihe mouth of June last. when Wells in
stiI5ted by some false suspicious commenced
an abusive communication, which he continued
TO The most unmany extent In The course OF
the dispute, which WAS carried on chiefly in
Wiling, y was charged with the commission
OF crimes of 80 ordinary magnitude. He con.
s;anily avowed his Innocence, aud rather than
Lose The friendship OF Wells, proposed 10 take
Upou himself any ttoubie 10 convince his ac-
c'iser That the charges which he alleged were
false. But nothing cOnd satisfy the memorable
Wells except train of diShUuoIable acknow-
ledSments, which was refused. After other
means OF bringing about a reconciliation had
heen TesoEted 10 III vain, Wells Informed
10y Perry that since lie was resolved TO persist
ia the dispute, IL lie would give him (l') an
invitation, lie would meet Wells III the field of
honor, with each friend, to give hin, satiSfac-
iion for his Imaginary Injuries, at the mutual
ilaZaid oil their lives. This method of adilst-
ment was declined by Wells. 1t was then a.
greed upoD by The parties that meeting should
take place between them, III the presence of
iour OF their friends, for the settling of their
icud, il possible in a friendly way Such a
meeting was held, The result of which was,
that reconciliation took place, eac'i protested
mutual friendship tor the oiber, aud agreed
that lie unfortunate dispaie should be forever
buried Wells made the Following ackuo,yI-
rdgmeDt: = That he had been in an error -
that as lie had no friend TO whom Ire might
communicate his suspicious they had prompt.
cd hIm 20 act as he had done that he had
suffered them TO grow to such height that he
was sorry Tor it, and that lie would not ihatit
should have so happened for sotiihi. arms
il may be added. that at the meeting he did
not pretend to offer solitary reason Ter those
suspicions. But, Notwithstanding the recon>
CiaiiOis, the profession of mutual fripndsh;o
the acknOwisd neni ct " ellis as though urged
ly some bellsh fiend, in less than three weeks
iiie contest is by him renewed, viii all the
raneourouS abuse that boiling malice could
suggest. Ills charges and abuse AZ niaIf be
expected, drew reply ffOm Capt. Perry AT
Ter tie correspondence bad proceeded 10 such
an extent, by Wells, as to threaten the most
serious consequences TO Capt. l.. either wish
ing to leave lIm without evidence in case of
private assassination or II deprive his ia
inly OF their reputation /; or dresdiuc the re-
sentiment OF fiieud OF PtrIy's whoia he knew
q be TeSolnte man, whose name in The course
OF the correspondence I've had used with gfeat
deal OF freedom, and who wds al that iiilr alb
sent OF rather from al lhtse reasons together
lie mad resolved TO destroy all his letters 10
Capt. y. aud tor this purpose demanded Of him
all tic Letters OF the correspondence, which
ware refused
III tits titualioa the matter rested until the
20lh Of august, When Wells came to The house
o. captain a armed VIII SHOT gun aud three
large pistols all well charged a broad dirk.
Tscently ground on both edges, or 10 inches
i0ug, lergS green hickory club. aud two large
pocket knives. Thus, well equipped for the
tygcutiCu Of his diabolical desiyu he entered
ihe rouse Of Capt J.. whom he ionnd in lie
iiCnt room, with his family in tbe act of rock-
rag liis FbiId 10 sleep ~ chair. Wells with
gan iH Baud, demanded tie papers; kut Can't
j. aware of The undGe use ~. designed IN
make of hem, BforMcd him that he could moi
deliver them up. Upon the recent of this
answer, be slept back fsr enough TO make sgre
~. purpose, presented his gun, aud with veiise-
fH hiaunesS attempted TO discharge its con.
TENS iaio tlle body Of Capt. Perry, bnt to the
aSiOUishmeUt OF the furious Ercr, she missed
fire. lhen Wells aimed blow al the head of
Capt l.. With jie clnj, which brought him 10
The Bc0g, aud before hc could recover Wells
liad given HIN tree wounds with tie dirk two
IN thc btCdst, orc OF which was glducfug and
lhe other penetrated his chest and one in or
Hear ihe idlu, supposed 20 have been as deep as
TIE iesgili OF the weapon. Cant. Perry then
rfrrtt Ged 81 tis.ug aud attempted 10 escauc
Lat " ellis 10 make SGtc liIs dcsig:. held 10 his
iWck from Tie hOnsc 10 the distance Of 30 OF 80
Nards along tbc street, in wh Oh distance he
fhYr him siX 0tler wounds. three IN his neck
"nd Ihrce in the back. Those im his back en-
tIed his chest aad geDctra,eh lis lungs. 81