Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1836-08-25
DEFERRED ARTICLES.
TO TIIf, PUBLIC.


The undersigned having been involved in an
unfortunate conflict the 18th instant, in the
town of Nicksburg, (Niss.,)is induced, by just
regard for public opinion, to anticipate erroneous
or unjust statements in reference thereto, by n
bret relation of the facts in the car.--N1r Watt.
and myself ~,re bonnd legally, on the l2th nv
stanf, 10 keep hc ptoce.
Onlhc morning of the lid, instant, while WI,
engaged N desk in the bar room Of the Nicks-
bury Hotel, (therr being no one present except
one of the bar lccpers0 Mr.. Watts entered, and
approaching me IN me redr, demanded that !
should " rccanl what had said (lhr evening he
torc) or that he would hill mr"' ~ turned 10
see the person who addressed me, he G,cd--the ball
lodged in the wall near my head and he Instant
~ Frustrated me by blow on the head from the
pistol he had just discharged, aud Jumping on me-,
commenced, innctne blows with the same woa-
pom though stunned by the severe blow had ils
received prapped with him, and thus | sup
pose prevented his Using second pistol with
which he came armed II, indeed, in ms nrilation
he did NOT forget with what foresight he lad pre-
pared himself to attack IA man. who, under the
circumstances, he hal every reason TO expect and
who really was una,mcd. \ number Of persons
collected, chiefly from The breakfast table, scpa-
rated us, and bore me of proi,scly bleeding. Mr..
Watts declared in the hearing OF many persons that
n,
by moulding bullets d other preparations, To carry
into effect his declarations.
Confined to my room by the severe injury
sustained on my head in the morning. was new
eriheles< prepared 10 defend myself should he seek
10 execute his design upon in my present
crippled situation, his assassin-liko attack Of tho
morning having led me To suppose tina, he would
neither regard the presence of my vile nor the
inability OF my rising from my wounds rs checks
10 his purpose. In the evening he came upon the
piazza on which my room openS-l advanced and
fred he staggered | withdrew To my door in
which my wife was standing he recovered, rush
ed towards me, fired and missed. His brother,
Dir. Watts, who had been throughout the day about
the house where lay, and who had given IA very
prompt attendance when Nh. Watts attacked
mo IN the morning, was now heard calling for me
with threats and cplcts OF coarse abuse. lie
soon appeared with Gun, which took 10 be Il
double barrel, and advancing upon my apart
mcni, ] shot HIM. lie fell and | regret To learn
has since died. lie was party 10 hlS brothers.
mmderous course towards me unpfovoked he
sought my life in defence shot him. and though
WAS urged by the strongest motive of our nature,
self preservation, ~ | acted without hostility To-
wards tnat midi, lIual, x AS honor, though in AN
enemy aud lcycllcd against myself the ra,crna'
affection which misguided his course, 50 do ! en-
lrttaln no other feeling than unminred regret for
the catastrophe.
Previous engagements and attention TO my pri-
'aio aia'is, renders It necessary 10 be absent for
a short time, bu lcavciomv friends and those who
justify me, assurances OF nay intention To return
speedily, and submit myself 10 the Legal invcs,iga-
ton which belong 10 the transaction.
For further particulars, aud for confirmation Of
the above statement, reference is made to ni least
one hundred persons, and especially To the bar
keeper, MIR. King, whom recognized as being
near at band during the most OF what occurred.
JOHN RANDOLPH, Louisiana.