Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-09-01
TIE. DANNILIE AFrAIp

y.
menis OF the circumstances connected with the
recent assault upon Mr. Thos. \. Terry, Inc Junior
editor OF the Reporter, "by Mr.. James NJ. Smith,
OF this place, and Mr.. Bell, the former of whom is
the brother and the latter the brothet-in. law oil
MIR. VIM Smith of Cupepcr, the late mail con-
tractor on portion OF the road between Tins place
and Danville, whose repeated dclinquen les were
recently severely anin'al,erted upon by Mr. Ter
ry in the columns Of his paper. In the existing
state Of things, we forbcar any commentary upon
this transaction:
From the DaarWe (ya) Rcpori,r, ius. p.
ATTEMPTED ASSASSIN ALTON
scene WAS enacted At Mr.. Daniel Sullivan
Sen Tavern, on yesterday, without example IN
this peaceful and moral community. 1t is a signal
evidence of the corruption of the times. 1t marks
the introduction of that lawcss, arocous and
murderous violence, which strikes at the life, the
liberty and the property of the citizen.
On yesterday afternoon, Thomas 4. Terry, the
JUNIOR Editor OF this paper, univ. rSally known in
this community as man OF high honor and integ-
riry, and of irrcpsoac5ablc morals, passed through
one oil the rooms at the Tavern, where he saw Two
strangers sitting alone with Mr.. Sunyali. Returh-
ng a moment after, he was approached by JAMES
VI. Smith, who asked him" Are YOU the Junior
Editor o(,he Reporter r. To which, wholly uncon-
Scious OF any hostile design, he replied" Yes,
am, Sir" Upon the instant, Jane, NJ Smith
struck him violent blow on the head with hca-
w cane, While Marccllus Bell, stood by with piS-
tnl IN each hand proclaming that he would shoot
the FIRST man who attempted to approach OF inter-
trrr. Mr. Terry was without arms of any kinl.
Seeing Mr.. Terry PROSTATE and Smith standing
az - I
MI. Sullivan sounded an alarm which brought 9TH
er persons into the room. George GiImcr, E>q.
was the person who first approached, and without
even knowing the parties engaged, but seeing
gentleman down, and bleeding under the blows OF
his lnlaman adversary, seized Smith around the
arms and body, thus preventing his power To
strike, IN defiance OF the two pistols which Bell
held TO ms breast, swearing that he wonll shoot
him if he touched. By thu, time number oil
other persons came in, and Mr.. Terry leaving the
door covered With blood, which bad flowed from
several gashes on his head, was assisted 10 ROOM
and placed under the care Of his medical friends
Upon lasty examination and dressing of the
wounds, made with view TO his immediate COM
tort, they were unable to decide the extent of the
injury inflicted, bat strong hopes are entertained
that his skull was not fractured, and consequently
that he will speedily recover.
Some time elapsed before the civil authority,
who were sent for, cane in. The Town Sergeant,
acting under the direction of magistrate, direct
ed thai Saith and Bell should be taken into cu>to-
dN, and tor that purpose summoned the by stand
crS 10 take them In attempting to do tins. Smith
made repeated attempts TO shoot DIR. J. b. Camp
bell, who however warded of the pistol, when
George White, Esq. cane up, and upon taking
hold OF smith received a pistol bail, which
aimed at his heart, through his hand, waStcoai
and coat. Ills life was saved by his presence of
mind. Suddenly twisting his body round, the di-
frcIion of the ball which mist otherwise have been
received in his body, glanced over lis sarfacc, led
wing trace behind it in the skin, and passing
through his coat at the shoulder The Wadding
burning and smoking, was lodged in Mr. White,
bosom. Every one present believed him fatally
wounded. Campbell and White are brave men.
tnarmed as they were, Bowie Knives, Pistols and
Drks were disrcgarded. Bell cooked pistol ard
held it at Capt Townrs'S breast Also swearing that
he would shoot him Qhc Town Sergeant fine Laid
hands on HIM 9 Shoot and be damncd,' SAID
TowneS, as he seized him, -" know my duty and
will do tat the hazard ofmv life These scenes, Is
may naturally be expected, collected large crowd
OF persons, and IT Is IN our esteem Sngniar y ere
dltabe fact, that not man was armed even with
walking cane.
When the arrest was completed, and several
magistrates collected, Bowreknic two Pistols
and Cowhide were taken from their ConccamentS
in Smiths clothes Two PISTOLS and Dirk from
Bell. That the attack upon Mr.. Terry was pre-
medilatcd before they left Lynchburg, there can
be no manner of doubt. They made business the
pretc1t; but that tn y came here TO murder Terry,
1--WE the term in its most felonious sense,) is
manifest, from the unusual display of the nipple
mentS OF death upon their persons.
lie seems to have called down murderous vcn-
geance upon himself by an article which appeared
in this paper some time since, commenting upon
the repeated and long continued denqncnCcs OF
Extra. Billy Smith, the contractor upon lhr Stage
line from the half way house, (Brown's, to Lynch
burg. The article alluded to called out by Mr..
Terry'S sense of public duty. The failures OF the
mall and the lmpositons practlSed upon The pub
lie for months in succcs,on by an Agent IN the re-
ceipt of government pay, for the discharge oil
public duty, bad become lllgrant and intolcrable.
The article in question was published some time
back.--WilIiam Smith, (EXtra-Bly,) had selected
his forum, and had replied through the Lynchbnrg
Nirginian.
james VI. Smith is said to be brother of EN-
tra-Billy; Marccus Bell is said to be Il brother
in-law. The memory of the article which is the
alleged ground of offence, had almost passed IA
way. But whatever the provocation, for two strong
athletic men armed cap-a-pie with the implements
of death, to attack an unarmcd and unsuSpcctlng
man, with mudcrouS weapon as Smiths cane
was, will be esteemed base and cowardlv by all
men. Heaven has preserved the lie of Thos. \.
Terry, trust for noble purposes Born, eda-
Gated and raised in the land of freedom, he sill