Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-04-09
FROM The Frantfors Commentator.
WICKLIFFE'S CASE.
Extract Of a letter 10 The Editor, dated,
LEXINGTON. 18th March. 1929.


standing and character, summoned By
our jackson Sheriff. have reported on
the indictment preferred against Chas.
Wlckiiffe. for killing Mr.. Benning-
as to the lst count for murder NOT a
true bill, and as to the econd count for
manslaughter, true bill
This is precisely what we expected.
Our information induced US TO believe,
as we intimated last week, that such
would be the conclusion Of the eE pGrfe
enquiry by The grand jury.
Young Mr. Wicklfe, as we further
understood, failed to appear according
to the stipulation of his recognizance:
having been advised by some friends TO
absent himself until The excitement of
the time and place should subside. His
father who was bail Tor him, petitioned
the court that the recognizance might
be respited, or stand without forfeiture,
until the 9TH day of the next tern; De
clafing 10 his petition, that il was his
! wish and firm belief, that his son would
| then appear, and answer To- any charge
which might be presented against BIN.
| We do not know that there has been any
deeision on the petition.
We have taken some pains TO inquire
lnto the occurrence; and. having as we
| believe. got at the truth, no:withstand-
| ing some variations 10 the accounts re.
ceived through different channels, shall
now en3eavor to give satisfactory &C.
count OF the case, - withou; stopping TO
enquire into the general fitness OF pub
heations touching causes pending in
court; tor IN this particular case, the
publication of a mass of misfeprssente
tson will fully justify the PRONUNCIATION
OF the truth, even il it would be improp
er in other cases; which, by the way,
we do admit.
Charles WickliHe called at the Office
Of the kentucky Gazette, about s
o'clock on Monday, the eth OF this
month, to demand the author OF the a.
husive and scufrilous pieces. which had
| appeared 10 that paper, against his ia.
1her--ths same which we copied from
| it last week
He found FIR Benning al the office,
and made the demand Bennins pro.
sessed TO wish to have an interview with
the authsi OF Dentatus, before mention
ing bis name. and appointed s o'clock.
the same day, for Wickliffa TO call again
at the office e-pGen. McCala, the
avowed author of Denlatus, was then a..
tie Gasste office
at the appointed time, o'clock,
NicirItfe called again. Benning pre-
tended not 10 have seen the author Of
Dentstus and proposed fK Their delay,
! entil 8 the next morning, that he would
have an opportunity to see him before
giving up his name. WickliHe assent
! ed to this further pnstponement. Ii af-
forwards appeared that alr Benning
was 10 ieacs The place by that time.
1t being settled that WicklHe should
call again at the next morning, Ben.
ming addressed him in sarcastic and
sneering terms; approaching him for
having written the piece, Cardinals, ia
reply TO the attack upon his father, and
tellin g him, with a sheer. thai the author
OF Dsntatus was the last man he would
! wish to meet when he came TO know
his name Such was the substance
of the remsrks-we do not profess 10
give the words Wicklitfe replied
in harsh language, applying the cpl.
thet "raseaI' to Benning.
Benning then set upon Wiekliae with
cane. Wicklfe got hold of the cane
with one hand, while with the other he
drew pistol from bis pocket, with
which he instantly fred at Benning.--
The latter, as soon as be saw the pistol,
let GO the cane TO turn and run But
Wi, kliffe's motion was too quick for bin
the ball struck bis back obIiquely,
fro0 the pistol pointed downwards, at
an angle Of As degrees, and while he
was yet within three feet of Wickliffe.
Bennipg did not fall, but continued
his retreat into an other room. Wicklihe
went out into the street. and remained
some time near the door, without being
aware Of the effect OF his shot, and ex
pecting a renewal of the attack 10 some
other form. Finding this was not in
tended, he retired,
From the Richmond Compiler.
Small per. We have informal that