Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-04-07
From The FRANKFORT Con,lnentator.
W1CKLIFFES CASE.
ENtract of letter to the editor, dated


"Leriayton, 18Th of March, 1899
"a grand jury # gentlemen of high standing and cha
@ prepd ans, ba ,sI Wo aaxe reported on the ndc
nnas 10 the i count, for murder NOT true b ana a -
1E 90 count, or nm, msanaughteI true blso much
and Public Advertiser, with such hend-lke pleasure Jc
VIII no DOUBT stand his trial the the capa
fhls Is precisely what we congratulations infer
nation induced to believe. as we ntilnated last
week, that such would be the conclusion of tbn or
pnJte enquiry by the Grand Jury.
Young Mr. Wicklife, we further understand
failed to appear according to the Stimulation of bis
recognizance; having been advised by some friends
TO absert himself until the excitement of the time
and place should subsde. His father who was ,,;J
tor him. petitioned the court that the rscognzanoc
might be respited stand without forfeiture until
the 18th day of the next tern declarinr in his netitc
that It was his wish and firm belief that his son youd
then appear, and answer to any charge which rnobt
Ue presented against him We do not know that
there has been any decision the petition
We have taken pains to enquire into the or.
crrence, and having, believe, got at the truth
notwithstanding some variations in the accounts re-
celVed through different channels, shall nov endea
YOUR TO give satisfactory account of the case =
without stopping to enquire into the general fitness
or publications. touching causes pending i'm cour.
Tor In tins particular case, the publications OF
OF misrepresentation will fully justify the promulpa-
tion OF the truth, even if l. would be inprouer in
other cases; which, by the way, we do not admit
Charles Wicklitfe called at the Office of the Ken
tlieky Gazette, about o'clock on Monday the 9th
OF tbs month, to demand the author OF the abusive
and scurriioas pieces which had apneare in that ma
per, against his fdther--the same which, we ,o,ias
from Ii last week.
He found Mr.. Benuing as tho Office. and made
the demand. Benhipg protested to wish to have an
Interview with the author of Dentatus before men
tidniDg hrs name; and appointed five O'Clock the
same day for Wicklitfe to call again at the office
0FGen. McCalla, the avowed author of Dcntatnss
was then IN the Gazette office.
At the appointed time Is o'clock) Wicklfe called
again. Beating pretended not to have seen the au-
thor of Dentatus. and proposed furthes deay until
eight the next morning, that he might have an OPP
Portualty to see him before giving mp his name
Wlckliffs assented to this further postponemeui IL
afterwards appear cd that Mr.. BeDnjng was to Lezye
The place by that time.
II being settled that WickliiTe should cali again at
eight the next morning, Bennng addressed him in
sarcastic sn5 sHeerpg terms; renroscIinO him for
having written the piece, Coroanus in reply to the
attack upon his father and telling him. toih a sheer
that the author of Dentatus was the last man he
would wish to meet when he came to know his name.
kSuch was the substslee Of the renlarks-we do NOT
profess TO give the wordsl WickEfe replied in
harsh language, applying the epibct rascat to Ben
ming.
Benng then set upon Wicklifc with cane.
Nlckllife get bold Of the cane with one hand while
with the other be drew little pistol from his pocket
with which he instantly fired at Benninr the lat
ter, as soon as he the pistol, Jet ro the cane -
turn and run. But Wicklifles motors were too
quick for him; the ball struck his back obliCncIy
from the pistol pointed downward at Ell angle of is
degrees, and wlHc lac was yet within three feet Of
Wickliffe.
Bennng did fall, but continued his retreat into
another room. WicEiife went out into the street
and remained some time the door without being
aware ofthe effect of his shot, and expecting a re-
newal oftbe attack, in some other form. Finding
this was not intended, lie retired
Now whether this homicide was ercusobIs BY the
Jaw OF the lard, whether by the strict rules of the
common law of England, it would amount to man
Maughter may, perhaps, depend upon the size Of the
stick and the degree of danger in which .Wcklifc
night suppose himself TO be placed in by The attack.
VI these we say nothng-not being infinitely inform
ed--But this VIC may say, that whatever an English
Judge and an English jury might make Of the case,
Wickliffe guilty Of dny crime, under these circnni
stances, IT viii be by such verdict as we have new
or yet heard Of IN KeatUcky.
Public DeJd.--'Fhe Secretary # the Treasury has
notified the propretors Of the unredeemed six pcr
cent stock Of 18th March, 1911 amounting to Sc 789
722 90, that will be paid upon the surfen der o the
,,arf mi he fet T,.f,,