The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1837-03-03
From The Columbia Tsnn.l 0lsupsr, Jan. u.
UNPARALLELED BRAVERY OF A W.
MAN-ATrEMPTLD MURDER

Fyou The Columbia 7sRn.l Otsurtr, JdH H.
UNPARALLELED BRAVERY OF a "o-i
MAN-ATrEMPTLD MURDER
One of the most daring acts OF ''llany
that has been recorded for some time past
was committed in this county, on Thursday |
nioht the 4th inst, by negro fellow belong |
inc 10 Mr.. John Matthews, living hive or SIX
miles south of this place. The outrage was
so great, the circumstances so revolving aou
the presence of mind, bravery, seli.posses'
sion, activity, strength and skill OF The lazy
ON whom the murder was attempted TO be
perpeirated, SO uncommon, and almost 81
unnatural in women, that we cannot iofbear
giving oil the circumstances as related 10 u.
Mr.. Matthews was absent from home, ana
his wife, three small children and the negro
composed the family the night TINS oe'no"
a,,empted to take the life OF his mistress
Mrs. Matthews, unconscious oi danger, was
attending TO her usual business, "hen' cary
in the night, whistle was two or lhfse
times heard at the window, the negro being
in the house with his mistress, having just
finished making large fire. We VIII
here remark, that Mr.. Nj. is SAID to have q
considerable sum OF money at present. anu
there Is scarce doubt but this negro, III
pa r,uership with some other, either wh'e
or black, had made plot to take The i'ie OF
Mrs. NJ. to get possession oil The money!
/ When The whistle was heard, the sgro,
nretepded TO be as much alarmed IS his
mistress. remarked, that he would go out
and get The axe TO defend themselves With,
II danger should approach them. lie did
so, aud placed i, against tue side oil The house.
/ In a sbor, time, while Mrs. Matthews was
sloop,ng 10 pick up something she had drop
ped, the negro caugh, her by the neck With
one hand aud reached the other Tor his axe
swearing he intended To kill her. She rose
from her STOPPING posture, bfoke his grasp
and threw h,m SO Tar from her by hef qu'ek
motion and strength, as to be able to get the
axe first, which she did, and iearlng he
might take II from her, pitched :, out as lar
as she could ~ the dark, where she thought
he would hardly again hnd II. The negro
thinking he could accomplish las drnonicai
purpose without II, again rushed al Mrs. W.
with the intention oi throwing her IN the ilfe'
He threw her upon the hearth, bu, she rose,
as she saws, With reaertd ircagih, aud
sirange as It may seem, threw hl'n on 'he
laur. A scuffle tor some nEnuIes ensoed,
whea the negro rather getting the advan'
ltoge. 20, her uu, Vi the house aud BY her
hair dragged her somc distance III The difee'
lion of pond, where he said he lhIended 10
drown her. Having gate or bars to pass
through she there oacc more resained teF
feet, and determined TO make another sirug
ple for her HE. Here he thought oi, aud
drew, a large dirk kn,ie from hrs pocket,
wllh which ne though, to despatch her. She
. saw IT, and immediately, iearIessly, aud W.
, orousls grasped It. Each endeasored to
sres. It IRON the other, IN which neither
succeeded. She finally, however, turned
ms own weapon Upon himself aud although
) ,et firmly grasped by each, she succeeded
10 euii,ag has throat Thus II euded. iis
supposed his iIe @as near enoogh ended and
lett brr. She immediately gathered UP bet
children, aud set out lor the nearrst Dcigh
, boris, where she geNe the alarm aud seafet
l.r bum Vas commenced. We learn, tina
he has since been iouuJ, and that the ~ounS
m the throat Is not severe enough TO Gauss
. h,s death. Pity but 1t had been, Tor has In
e ought TO be taken By her hands.
The struggle lasted for considerable
, time, aud ~e have gwen the particulars a
i near az we can recoiect them. Ii any or
J for is made IN the statement, II Is untnien
: tional Mrs. Matthews certainly deserves
great deal Of praise for erconduct. Wher
IS the woman IN thousand, that would uol
}, from the great alarm, have surrendered be
{ Ilie immediately into !he hands Of the demon
! He old her, during the fight, that he ha'
made large FIRE ior tue purpose oi burn
e ny her aud her children 10 1t that night
J and al one tune came very near putting he
IN II. HIS life should be the price Of hl
! conduct.
When nil ponders cedse.-A late Lou
don paper has the following