Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-10-19
Neac- York Enquirer.

rally amongst such OF our readers as live with
in the ncighborhood ofthls place, that an untor-
tuna,e difference has existed for few weeks
past, amongst some Of our political men, and
| whilst that difference remained unsettled, we
thought it improper TO take notice OF the sub
ect in any way. Believing, however, that no
misunderstanding now exist, we have thought
that some good might result from an impartial
statement Of few leading facts.
| From sudden alteration which took place
about three weeks ago in this town between
Generals Hous,o on and White, it seems that the
latter challenged the former to single combat,
and that the challenge was accepted They
we're compelled by an interposltion of the civil
authorities to transfer the scene OF operations
beyond the Kentucky line, and the meeting took
place on Thursday morning last about sun rise.
| At the first fire Gen. Houston's aim took effect
striking little below the right shoulder blade
and passing round and lodging the opposite
side, from which it as easily extracted. Strong
hopes are entertained that the wound will not
prove fatal, and the parties separated on the
ground with evidences of the kndest feelings
and perfect reconciliation. Gen. Whites fire
did not take effect, as the discharge did not
take place until probably extracted by the fire
of the other pistol.
! We make this statement with some reluct-
ance, but from an imperious sense of duty. In
cases of this description. generally, misrepre-
sensations and false colourings gel abroad, &
| sometimes lead to further difficulty. We are
as unwilling as any in the community to give
ecat 10 the actors in such scenes, but when the
evil has occurred, there may be more good done
| by publicity in respectable way, than by per-
| hitting error TO pass on without detection. The
conduct of The parties on the ground was dig
nifed, fair and honorable.
We find in the Frankfort (Ken.) Commenta-
tor the following particulars of the murder of
Doctor Brown, oy Randall Smith:
Dr. Brown ha6 farm on the Ohio, sixteen
miles below Louisville, at which he occasional
| ly passed some time, boarding and lodging with
Mr. Christopher, near neighbor, as he has no
house on his own land.
a misunderstanding had existed for some
time, between Mr.. Christopher and Smith, who
was his son-in-law. And so inveterate was the
hate of Smith tina: he extended his hostility 10
mos, oflhose who were familiar with Christie
pher, and declined social intercourse with
him. On Thursday evening, Smith was at Chris
topher's, when Dr.. Brown came in from his
farm. Some whiskey was offered, and Smith,
having drank freely, became abusive to the ia
mily DR.. Brown demonstrated with him,
which only had the effect of turning torrent of
abuse upon himself; and he left the room and
avoided the miscreant. Smith went away, and
made several attempts TO borrow rifle, for the
purpose, as he declared, ofshooling DR.. Brown.
but did not succeed. He, however, the next
morning, by some MEANS obtained horse.
mans pistol, which he charged heavily with
sugs, and concealed in the inside pocket OF his
great coat About O'Clock on Friday morn
ing, he came to MIR Christophers while DR..
Brown was at breakfast, and told the Doctor
he wanted satisfac ton, or something to that Ell
feet. The Doctor replied, deferring the matter
till he had done breakfast, and then went out
of the breakfast room, when scuffie common
ced Ono one presently between Smith and the
Doctor; the noise brought Mr.. Christopher,
who found that the Doctor was thrown back
upon bed by Smith; Christopher seized the
latter by the arms behind, and pulled him off
and out of the house and held him some time.
Dr. Brown approached and attempted to pacify
him Christopher now loose6 his hold on Smith,
who was Ito sooner at liberty, than, with an in
stantaneous motion, he drew the concealed ps-
toll. ready cooked, from his pocke1, s discharg-
ed it atBrown Christopher standing close by
Eight slugs, aimed about the hip, scattered over
and entered Browns side; one of which pass
ed through the body; one struck and entered
Christopher's knee, another passed through
his thigh The latter fell, but the former pur
sued Smith a little distance, till he got into a
cornield and escaped The DR.. though sensi
BILE of his situation, and saying that he was
mortally wounded, walked about the yard for
several minutes, and finally mounted his horse,
hoping to be able to ride home; but proceeded
but few rods, before he tainted and was taken
to the house, where he endured his suferings
manfully until two the next morning, and then
expired.
His remains were brought to this place and
inferred near those of other members of the ia
miv on Monday last.
Smith remained in the neighborhood, rather
exulting in the deed, (but sorry if he had killed
his father-in-law, as he feared he had,) until he
| found that Brown was dead, and then made Off
On Saturday morning, he even had the bold
ness to appear at the ferry on the Indiana side,
and hallow across the river, asking IT that
damned rascal was dead-if not he would come
over and kill him.! He'has not yet been taken