The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-06-20

Mobocracy and lawless disregard Of all
legal restraint is manifesting itself through
out the State. But few days since a
man was tried for murder in Copiah coun-
| ty, and the jury returned verdict OF
guilty for nlanslaughter. The friends of
the deceased entered the court room, blew
out the lights, and murdered the accused
in the presence Of the court, officers and
Jury.
On the goth ult., whilst Judge McKin-
ley was holding the United States Cir
cult Court in the town of Jackson, fight
occurred between a Mr. r. L. Dixon and
A. ]. Paxton, in tie rotunda of the Capt.
tol. Dixon got the better of Paxton, and
the latter, with his friends, retreated into
the court room. The whole was in the
presence and hearing of the court. The
Judge ordered the parties and combatants
to be brought before the court. The crier
stated that they were armed and he dare
not arrest them, and that the Marshal and
his deputies were absent. The Judge
twice sent the crier, ]. HI. Boyd, for the
Marshal, and each time he returned some
frivolous excuse for their attendance.
At length the Judge, becoming excited,
said to the crier, why, sir, you appear as
stupid as ajack; go yourself and request
the Marshal to come into court. In the
evening, after the Judge had adjourned
his court and was walking in the street to
his lodgings, Boyd attacked him and rub
bed his fist in his face. The Judge fined
the principals about $500, and has resolv-
ed not to hold court in Mississippi again
The following affair happened few
days since, in the town of Woodville,
Wilkinson county, which we think is but
a fair expose Of transactions almost daily
occurring:
A short time previous to the late session
of the Grand Jury of Wilkinson county,
challenge was passed and a duel was to
have been fought, between Mr. Leigh, a
son Of Watkins Leigh Of Virginia and
Mr. w. A. Norris, editor of the Republi-
can, but it was arranged by the friends OF
the parties. When the Grand Jury con-
vened, the foreman, in accordance with
his oath, took an active part in endeavor-
ing to investigate the matter, and bringing
the parties concerned in and cognisant OF
the matter before them. They all rcfus-
ed to testify, and were all consequently
committed to prison.
Some time after this the foreman, Mr.
A. J. Foster; happened in Mr. Leigh's Of
fee, and enquired for some person, when
Leigh called him an informer, and used
other abusive language to him. A chal-
lenge ensued, and duel was to have been
fought between them, which was set for
some few days subsequent. A day or
SO after the quarrel, Mr. Leigh met
Mr. z. Foster, younger brother of A.
J. Foster, in the street, and asked him
who he was looking at so hard! Mr. F.
replied that he had right to look as he
pleased, without being questioned; some
other words of an insulting character
were used, and a general quarrel and fight
ensued, commencing between MIR c. Eos.
ter and DR.. Morese, and the friends of
each; among whom were Mr. Leigh, Mr.
Fielding, Davis, Judge Smith, and one or
two others; Immediately after which Mr.
Leigh, who had received some personal
injury from Mr. Davis, sent him cllal-
lenge by Mr. II. A. Moore, to which Mr.
Moore requested an immediate answer.
Mr. d. replied that he would answer it in
the morning; Mr. Moore then used some
harsh language to Mr. D., and either cal
led or insinuated that he was a coward,
upon which Mr. d. turned and struck Mr.
Moore with whip, which he held in his
hand, and injured him very severely in
the face.
Mr.. D. then went home and changed
his dress, which had been soiled in the
affray, and walked into the post Office;
Mr. Leigh walked in Immediately after
wards, with a drawn knife or dirk in his
hand. Mr. D. saw him as he advanced
and told him not to approach him, Mr. L.
continued to do SO. Mr. d. repeated his
warning and told him if he did so that he
would shoot him, and seeing that MIR.
Leigh did not stop, he raised double
barreled gun which he held in his hand.
and snapped both barrels at him, neither
of which went off. He then struck him
with the end of the gun and knocked him
down, and then retreated across the street.
Mr.. Leigh, after rising, continued to adj
vance, when Mr.. Davis drew pistol and
shot Mr.. L. in the side, which penetrat-
ed his spine. Leigh, after lingering near
two days, died of the wound. Davis was
Immediately arrested, and after an exam
illation was admitted to bail in the sum Of
$l5,OO0.-Mo Rep.
HE Book OF Mormon. -Our readers
noticed In the Banner and Pioneer, not
long since, an article giving an account
OF the author and origin of the Book of
Mormon. There is an error in that state
ment which should be corrected, other
wise the Mormons will take occasion to
condemn and deny the whole statement.
Sidney Ripdon hail no banl =,