American watchman and Delaware advertiser., 1826-03-14
Richmond, Yir., March 2.

of the murderer The novelty OF these transactions. the
interest which they have spread this city, and the
qualifications of these individuals who have thus been
swept from exsence will excuse us to our distant readers
for giving rather copous sketch OF them than IS
usual with us.
Some years since, James McNaught native of Great
Britain set up in this city in the line of gunsmth. His
pretensons first humble enough in proportion to
his real skill He in fact, an admirable workman
superior to any whom we had ever had among us. He
settled in Distant and comparatively obscure part OF the
street but his reputation spread by degrees and he
sought by every who had nice and difficult
Job perform or who wished to obtain gun, pair
of pistols of excellence. Men. not only made
such articles with remarkable Skill but maintained aregu
lar correspondence with the manufacturers OF London and
Birmingham, and imported of the first style OF work.
manship The man in fact considered great ac-
QUESTION TO the cy business grew upon him his fortunes
seemed to advances and finally he took shop the heart
of the city, of the busiest parts OF the main street.
This singular being seemed to be doing good in other
respects He had taken several apprentices, who promis.
ed to out excellent workmen, and respectable mem
bers of the community The finest among these, was con-
fessedy Daniel Denoon: who born in Dec. 1908 his
father of much ingenuity, yet who never did justice
10 himself; skul at his own trade OF bookbnder;
who joined i'll 1878 Company of Artillery OF which he
became Serjesnt and which distinguished itself the
memorable plains of his fathers death,
his distressed mother placed him with McNaught in Deem
Der 1917, whom he served with the utmost possible de
ty. He improved much in his business, that he was
considered 1--WE will not say one OF the best but the very
Naugh seemed proud of his apprentice he was continual
" showing little specimens of Daniel Denoon's skill which
aStonlshed every body gun OF Deno0n's manufacture
was sent 10 Birmingham, where it pronounced by
Sharp to be master piece of the kind. During all this
time, he not only mered and obtained the confidence Of
his master but upon the respect of all who knew him
During the period of nine months when Men, had visited
England he left his shop in Demons care, promising him
handsome compensation for his attentions but tho he de-
served II, he received t.At length his ndenures
exped and for Id Is months he acted Mems fore
man not word Of dispute passed between them:
Denoon proved as vgan as foreman, as he had been
apprentice: and the utmost harmony regned between
them. such the declaration OF DenOOn,
upon his death-bed.
d. Denoon, however, has lately had fair opening for
going into business himself: his brothernlaw (Mr.
Whte) an ingenious brassfounder, died but few days
ago, and his only brother an apprentice of Mr. W.
Tie talked OF forming connection with his brother, and Of
setting up tor himself on Christmas nextMcN. seemed
not much to relish the idea. He proposed Daniel 10
take him into partnership, and divide stocks and profits
with him Unfortunately Men. had changed his habits.
He had become too idle too food Of company and is be-
eved, too much addicted to the botleDenoon had not
positively declined his propositions but seemed rather to
discourage it.
Another event occurred lately which at the time did not
excite much attention as has done the catastrophe
Early the night OF the 23d Feb his store found on
fire but the exerons of of the neghbors extngish
ed IT. before it did any material injury. AT the time, Men
said and 1t was believed, that it inadvertently set
he by an apprentices but suspicious aoat, that
ne was very much involved in his affairs had insured his
stock at very high rate and that he himself applied the
torch to his Whether this is injustice the
memory OF the departed man, know not but have
even nsnuate that ne had taken up the idea of Ds
pecting him of the foul intention.
Whether this the leading motive to his mysterious
conducts whether as is generally believed, it ea
ousy OF DIS setting up for himself and vang him in his
or by whatever motive he hurried to shed the
blood OF his innocent victim, is known only perhaps the
reat Author OF his being But, in the of Monday
last he was occasionally employed in trying pistols letter
SAID to have been found since his death his pocket
book at home addressed his Wife in which he ades to
ms intention to take his own life, and bids her final adieu!
THE catastrophe was indeed rapidly sweeping onward
involving too the death of much better man On Mon
day, after dining in his upper room with his family and
with Denoon, seemingly in good humour and good spirits
ne retired tot next room and requested of the ap
rentlces 70 ask Denoon walk up stairs AS the poor
ieow set his foot on the top of the stairs Men approach
ed him from the room, and discharged pistol loaded with
DUCK shot into the abdomen and Immediately after fred
another pistol, which grazed his cheek and drew
blood from IT. When the agitaed neghbors and family
arrived at the scene they found d had and max
ing his way down stairs; while McN. was laying the
Moor The wound of D. mortal he gave description
he scene to his attendants and fingered three four
hours 1t seemed to be the impression st that Men
wished TO give the idea of Duel between himself and his
devoted victim.
Men received no serious hurt The rest of the story
~ oio IN iew words. On Monday evening he was con-
Quoted to the Jail and placed in the room with some other
prisoners During the night after they had extngushed
some struggesn Mems bed and some sounds which tey
afterwards supposed those of the patng of his bleed
ing n1 arm with his other hand light was called for and
Men was found dead, with his pallet drencbed in blood
The verdict of the jury gives the best
perhaps of the manner of his death:
inquest held on the body of James McNaugh who
iouhu dead on the morning of the 28h the Jurors
uy examined the body of the deceased and also several
witnesses who were first duly sworn and they unani.
mousy OF the opinion that the deceased his death
ron the following causes after the deceased commit
teo 20 JAIL ne had several convusve fits spasms the
eceaseo having previous to his commitment been bled
.ne arm oy physician; at hour of the night had
opened inc orhce with gun (Which found near
the nand OF the deceased from which quantity of blood
was LOST That the deceased had also tied silk handker
chief SO tight round his neck as to leave evident mark,
ABOUT itcaii of which circumstances combined in the
deceased. y M
Thus the wreched Mcknight has inflicted Justice upon
hnseh what sad warning to others against the inul.