Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-01-24
GeRer0t Intelligence.
From the UImchester yir.nisn.


We have been favored with the foilouin..
particulars OF fracas which occurred in
Morgan county, on the 23th ult. and which
resulted, as will be seen, in the death Of ON.
the parties.
A year or two ago an unfortunate mairimo-
MAJ conneNlon was formed between a man
named Hugh Masce, an itncr rant trader I,,-
ms ia obe OF the counties of Berkeley or JeC-
ierson, and daughter of William Thorn
ourg' respectable citizen Of MORAN The
parues lived together some short time when
~ having been ascertained that MAGE had
another wife living at the time OF his second
marriage, they separated, and the dclu,lcd
rcum oi ms heartless villsiny again sought
The protection Of her fathers roof. but Wa.
not long permitted TO remain in the undi,turb-
cd enjoyment Of il. For some time prior to
The happening Of the catastrophe We are n
bout Ia record, Thornburg had occasionally
seen Magee lurking about his house and suS-
pectinS mat he was on some improper errand
kept pretty yisilant watch. ON the 10Th
ut having risen abou; the dawn of day h,
went out, rs had been his custom for ,oma
tiinc, 10 reconnoitrc and ascertain ii any QUO
was to be seen near the house; when on adj
Naheiug lew PAGES he saw three men, who
proved To be Magee, Richard Brown. OF
Darkcsyilic, and John " Hurst. Of Jefferson
leaning against n tree close at hand. who i'm
med'ateiy made towards him. lie ATTEMPTED
20 regain the door To secure il against their
entrance but so rapid was the pursuit tlae
before he could accomplish his purpose. lao
was seized by Brown and detained, while H.,
other two forced their way into the house
and laid hold OF Aagee's child They wer,
stoutiy resisted by Mrs. Tbornburg and her
daughter, Mr. Nagee, and in the scutIle :.
has
wan The butt Of has whip, was warded of by
Mrs. 1hornbury, who received il OH her hand
and but for which il is thought il ould hayo
proved fatal 90 her daughter.
While Hurst ard the females were thus RI.
saSea, ihornburg was prevented from enter
InS The house bs Brown, Hho stood h,Coro
HIM with pistol presented at his hrea,r
threatening him with instant death IL no Al
tempted II until seeing Hurst dragging his
'~ne towards the door. and threatening be,.
me- ana nearing the cries OF his dau ghter for
assistance, he broke in, and seizlng his rife
instantly shot Hurst through the body-,h.
bail striking the shoulder AMI passing thru,
the lungs. The wounded man released h;s
hoiu on Mrs. Thornburg, retreated n few
rods from the house; fell and expiredi IL,
INC meantime Magce had sue cecIed IN be arin,
oil the child. lie vas immediately nur.u.5
Y by Ihornburg, aud on being oyerhaulsd dro,v
P'stoi which, fortunately, missing fire
ihornburg knocked him down, called for ,
rope aud secured him. A magistrate w.
Then sent for by Thornbur., who (,l.re -
ihg no coroner) held an inquest on the a, al
iOody, whose Verdict-unanimously rendered
upon iull hearing Of the test,nony---ua,.
That lhornburg had killed the deceased M DE-,
fence OF himself aud family. We learn fur
tner That the officiating magistrate thought
ihat u was so clear a case Of iUst ifiable bo,n,
eide, that the ends of public justice would ba
oe't subSor'ed by declining to or,ler any iud,.
lciai investigation into Thornburg's couduet
aud That the decision has been SO uniyersa,lIy
approved that no measures have been taken
to procure his arrest
Brown and Mager were taken into euS,,J,
and being unable 10 End surety for thcir an.
PeaIance at court, we're committed 10 prison.
The unfortunate individual " no lost M.
NE BY engaging IN this rash affair wa, a man
81 respectable come xions, aud in general ~
harmless and lnoiiensiyo department. but
much addicted tn habits of intemperane.
ana ~ - presumed that be mus; have heen
undrr The influence of these habns--frou
Which he was seldom eNemp,-wLeu he lent
LIm'eii To hagees purposes
Ihorhburg - man &c respectable ekarar-
ter aud remarkable for thc niIines, ana
hmlabiiIJ Of has disposition.