The herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1835-1837, 1837-02-07
From the Columbus cTenn.) Observer.

the Columbus cTenn) Observer
UNPARALLELED BRAVERY OF A WoMAN-ATTEAPT-
ED MuRDER.-One of the most daring acts Ut vhiany
that has been recorded for same time past, was COM
united in this county, on Thursday night, the Atm
thews, living five six miles south of this place.
The outrage was SO grsat the circumstances 30 re-
volung and the presence of mind bravery, seltpos-
session., activity, strength and skill of the lady on
whom the murder was attempted to be perpetrated,
so uncommon, and almost unnatural in woman, that
we cannot forbear giving all the circumstances as re-
lated TO US.
Mr.. Matthews was absent from home, and his
wife three small children and the negro, composed
the family the night this demon attempted to take the
life of his mistress. Mrs. Matthews, unconscious of
DANGER was attending to her usual business, when,
early in the night whistle was two or three times
heard a, the window, the negro being IN the house
with his MISTRESS having just finished making large
fire. I'VE will here remark, that Mr. M. Is said TO
have considerable sum of money at present. and
there is doubt but his negro, IA partnership
with some other either white or black had made
plot to take the life of Mrs. n. to get ossesslon OF
the money! When the whistle was heard, the ne
gro pretending to be much alarmed as his MISTRESS
remarked that he would 60 out and get the axe 10 de-
fend themselves with, if danger should approach
them. He did SO, and placed 1t against the side OF the
house. In short time while Mrs. Matthews was
STOPPING to pick up something she had dropped, the
negro caught her by the neck with ono hand, and
reached the other for the axe, swearing ne intended to
kill her. She rose rom her STOPPING posture broke
l W
motion and strength as TO be able to get the axe first
which she did, and fearing he might take from her.
pitched it out far she could in the dark, where
she thought he would hardly again find it
The negro, thinking he could accomplish his demo-
MAC purpose without It, again rushed at Mrs M with
the intention Of throwing her in the fire. He threw
her upon the hearth, but she rose she says with
rene,oed strength, and strange it may seem threw
him on the floor. scufe for some minutes ensued,
when the negro rather getting the advantage got her
out Of the house. and by her hair dragged her some
distance in the direction Of pond, where he said he
intended TO drown her. Having gate or bars to pass
through, she there regained her feet, and
determined to make another struggle for her lie He
here thought Of and drew large dirk knife from his
pocket, with which he thought TO despatch her. She
saw it. and Immediately, fearlessly and vigorously
grasped it. Each endeavoring to wrest it from the
other, in which neither succeeded.
She finally, however, turned his own weapon upon
himself and although yet firmly grasped by each she
succeeded in cutting his throat. Thus it ended. He
supposed his life was near ended, and left her. She
Immediately gathe ed up her children, and set out
and search for HIM was commenced. We learn
i that he has since been found and that the wound in
The throat is not quite severe enough to cause hi
DEATH
| This lasted fer considerable time and we have
| given the particulars as near can recoec
thcm Mrs. Matthews deserves great deal of praise
! for her conduct. Where is the woman in thou
sand, that would not, from the great alarm, have
surrendered her life Immediately into the hands
the demon? He told her, during the fight, that h,
had made large fire for the purpose Of burning he
children in it that night and at one time came very
near putting her in II.