The Arkansas advocate., 1837-02-03
COLUMBIA, S. c. Jan. l2 UNPARALLELED BRAVERY OF Il WOMAN ATTEMPTED MURDER.

One of the most daring acts of viany that has been recorded for scrne time past, was Committed in ths county, on Thursday night, the 4th inst, by negd fellow belonging to Mir. John Mathews, living five or six miles south of this place. The outrage was 50 great, the circumstances revong, and the presebce of mind, bravery, selpossession, activity, strength and skill of the lady whom the murder was attempted to be perpetrated, so uncommon, and almost so tura in woman, that we cannot forbear giving all the circumstances as related to us.
 MT. Mathews was absent from home, and his wife three small children and the negro composed the an- ly The night this demon attempted to take the life of his mistress, Mrs. Mathews, unconscious of danger attending 10 her usual business when early the night, whistle was two or three times heard al the win. dow, the negro being in the house with his msress having just finished making large fire (We will here remark that Mr. M. is said to have considerable sum of money at present, and there is scarce doubt but hls negro, III partnership with some other either white or black, had made plot to take the life of Mrs M. to get possession of the money.) When the whs tie was heard, the negro pretending to be much alarm ed as his mistress, remarked that he would 20 out and get the 10 defend themselves with, if danger should approach them. He did so, and placed 1t against ihe side of the house. In short time, while Mrs. Math- ews was stopping 10 pick up something she had drop. ped, the negro caught her by the neck with one hand and reached the other for his axe, swearing he intend ed 10 kill her. She rose tro:: her stepping posture; broke his grasp, and threw him so far from her, by her quick motion and strength, to be able to get the axe first, which she did and fearing he might take 1t from her, pitched it out as far as she could in the dark, wheie she thought he could hardly again find it. The negro thinking he could accomplish his demoniacal purpose without it, again rushed at Mrs. M., with the intention of throwing her in the fire He threw her upon 'ne hearh but she rose she says, with rsne'esd and strange it may seem, threw him on the oor.- A scutfia oncupd when the negfO rather getting the advantage, got her out of the house and by her hair dragged her distance Tn the dec
 ton of pond, where he said he intended to drown nc'
 iayng gate bars to pass through, she there onco more reganed her feet, and determined to make aDo, ther struggle for her life He here thought oIs anu drew, large drk-knfe from his pocket, with when nc thought to despatch her. She it, and immeoa'0- ly' fearessly, and vigorously grasped. Laca ea0ve yored to wrest 1t from the other, in which nehel su. ceeded She finally, however, turned hls own weaPJ'' upon himself, and although yet firmly grasped by each' she succeeded in cutting hs M1oa-Thus 1t enoeo. e He supposed his life was near enough ended ana r.s s her She immediately gathered up her ch'idsa' a,,s h set out for the nearest neighbours, where she ea'' T alarm and search for him commences.
 learn that he has since been found and thai the Wou
 m the throat was not quite severe enough 10 caoss death Pity but 1t had been, for his life ought 10 Oe '" ken by her hands.
 ne struggle lasted for considerable tunes alI ns.t have given the particulars we can feco'.s. M them. lfany error Is made in the statement, Il s u
 intentional. Mrs. Mathews certainly deserves s'ss, deal of praise fer her conduct. Where IS the wo'Das
 in thousand that would not, from the great as'"; have surrendered her life immediately into the nanus =
 the demon! He told her, during the fghti po. .J had made large fire for the purpose of burning ne' her children in it that night and at one time came s'' near putting her in it. His life should be the P'co0' his conduct. Observer.