The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1836-09-09
From the Danriiie Va Reporter, Aug. %.
ATTEMPTED ASSASSlNATfON!!

J
evidence OF the corruption of the times. II marks
the introduction that awless, atfocious and muir
derous violence which strikes at the life, the lib
erty and the property of the citizen.
! On yesterday afternoon, Thomas A. Terry, the
Junior Editor of this paper, universally known III
this community a msn OF high honor and integ-
rity and of irrcproechable morals, passed through
one of the rooms at the Tavern, where he saw two
strangers sitting slose with Mr.. Sullivan Return
! ing moment after, he was approached by James
/ VI. Smith, who asked him" Are you the Junior
Editor oftho Reporterl" To which, wholly uncon.
scious of any hostile design, he replied" Yes,
am, Sir" Upon the instant, James NJ, Smith
/ struck him violent blow the head with a hea-
W cane. while Marcellus Bell, stood by with pls-
.e in each hand, proelsiuing be would shoe, the
fret uian TIA, attempted to approach or interfere.
| MIR Terry was without arms OF any kind.-Seeing
| Mr. Terry PROSTATE and Smith standing over him,
| repeating his blows upon disabled man. Mr.. Sui
ssn sounded aH alarm which brought other per-
sons into the room. George Gilnef, ESQ. ass the
person who hrst approached, and without even
knowing the parties sDgsged, but seeing sgsni!e-
man down. sae bleeding under The blows OF his
inhuman adversary, seized Smith around the arms
and body. thus preventing his power TO strike, IN
defiance Of the two pistols which Bell held To his
breast, swearing that he would shoot him II he
touched. BY this time, number OF other persons
came in, and Mr.. Terry leaving the floor covered
with blood which had flow ed from several gsshcs
&C ms head assisted 10 room, and placed IN
der the care Of bis medical friends.
| Upon hssty examination and dressing Of the
wounds, made With u view to his Immediate CEN.
oit. they were enable TO decide the extent Of the
| injury aaleted, but strong hoPes are entertained
that his skull was not fractured, aud consequently
that he will speedily recover.
Some time elapsed before the civil authority.
who we're sent for, came Ia. The Town Sergeant,
acting u-ter the direction Of magistrate direct
ed that Smith and Bell should DO taken into eusto.
dy, ana Ter that purpose summoned the by stand.
TO take them, Ia attempting 10 do this, Smith
made repeated attempts 10 shoot DR.. u. Camp
bell, who. however sarded OF the pistol, when
George Whre, E~q. came up, and upon taking
hold of Smith reviewed pistol ball, which ~ss
-imed =. hl. heart through his hand, sais,cos.
and coat. His lie was saved by his presence Of
mind, Suddenly twisting Is, body round, the di.
reciion OF the ball which must otherwise have been
received in bis body, glanced it's surface lea.
ving trace behind 1t IN the skin. and passing
| through bis coat at the shoulder. The wadding,
burning and smoking, Was lodged in Mr.. Whi,s's
bosom. Every pre.ent believed him fatally
| wounded Campbell and White are brays men.
Uuarmod as they were, Bowie Knives. Pistols and
Dirks were Gisgesarded. Bell cooked pi.,ol and
held it at Capt. Townsss breas, also, syestiog that
| he would shoot hin THE Town Scrgeantl 1.-The laid
| hands on him. " Shno, and be damned" said
! Townes, as he seized him. " ! know my duty and
viii 90 tat the hazard OF my life" scenes,
may naturally be expected, collected large crowd
OF persons. and II Ia 10 our esteem = singu.srly
credtable fact, that not man vas armed even
! with a walking cene.
- A
magistrates collected, Bowic.K knife, tao Pistols
aud Costids weie taken from their coucsalments
10 Smiths clolhes Two Pistols ard DIRK from
Bell. That the attack upon Mr. Terry vas pre-
media.ed before they lef Iynchturg there can
be- no manner OF doubt; They made business the
pFetsIt; bat that they came here TO murder Terry,
I've tie term In iss most teioniou. sense Is
manifest, from the unusual display Of Tue impie-
ments Of death upon their persons.
| lis seems to have called down nurderous ven.
gsancs upon himself BY an article shich appeared
n this papcr some time .iaee. commenting upon
the repeated and long continued dsiinqgeaces Of
! Extra Billy Saith the contractor upon the Sage
liEe from the hall way house, Browns, to yhch.
burg. The article alluded 10 was called out BY Mr..
Terry's sense Of pUbilo duty. The failures ., the
mail, and the lmpo.llions practlsed upon the pub
lie .or months Ia succession. by an Agent 10 the
= d
public duty, had become a4.r-n, and intoieF- tls.
The article in question vas pubi.hed some time
back. william Smith, Extra b.i!y.) had selected
MS forum, aud rad rtq.tsd through The Lynchbafg
/ VmEiHlaH.
/ James NJ Smith ID ssid TO be brother Of Ex.
ira. Billy Marcelius Bell 10 sad TO be brother.
/ ielaw. The memory Of the article which 10 the
alleged ground Of cffenee. had almost passed away.
But Whatever the prugoesuon, for two strong attn.
ietic men armed eap.a.pie with the implements OF
death, ostiaek an unarmsd aud unsuspecling man,
WITH mnrderous weapon Smiths cane eas,
i vii be esteemed base aud cowsrdly by eli men.
Heaven has preserved the life of Thos. A. Tefry.
| ~ trust for noble purposes. Born, educated, and
raised n the land Of freedom, he stIl lives to vim.
dicate the Liberty Of the Pfess, and the free con.
ss.tation Of hs country. Il ia proud alslaetion,
al his early age, 10 De singled out mark for
The asssssins dagger, and the s.ilette Of tie me.
ulas Of power.
The Editor Of the Obserycr. 10 IA. honor be II
spokcn, hearing The circumstances attending these
nsiaroas transacons refused Its professional ser.
vices to Smith and Bell
Such, We arc informed. are the facts Of ID. out
rage.
Saith and Bell are committed % Jail !" for as
sauill9g and besting Thos 4. Terry, With intent
70 kill--also, for manning him, and tor nnlawfuy
shooting George White, with inten, ia 80 doing 10
main, dirhgufe, disable and klil---and FOR vifny
and maiiGious!y shooting said Waite ailh intention
TO MAIN and disfgure, dsaoe and Kill. The jus.
ices were OF opnon tina; both were principals, in
both offences"
| Melunehn|u ID m sfer -T'ho Earvt, Ret