The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-08-06
From the Louisville Gazette.
DEATH OF JOHN w. MOORE


man whose name stands ut the head OF this ar
ticle, and whose untimely death it now becomes
our painful duty to record. Thousands of on,
citizens have llsteDed with rapture TO the warm
and generous eloquence of Mr. Moore, while he
was resident of Louisvi lie, and must still re.
tain the recollection of his powers as writer
his brilliancy as an orator. and his accomplish
ments as gentleman.
Most sincerely do we deplore his untmey
fall-most heartily do we execrate the foul assas
sin by whom he tell-and most deeply do we
lament The loose state Of the public morals
which can suffer his loss TO go unavenged. The
society in which such outrages can he perpetra-
ted with impunity, are true only to their own
shame and will be avoided with disgust and
adherence by every lover of peace, virtue and
religion!
Mr. Moore's death resulted from some person
al difficulty which grew out of an exposition
made by him OF the improper abstraction of near
900 from the vaults of the Union Bank al
New Orleans, by Martin Gordon, Jr 1t appears
that man by the name OF Zim. who had been
a journeyman printer, but Is now the editor OF
the Red River Republican, repliedIto Mr. Moore's
article with some severity, which drew down
upon him a rejoinder from Mr. Moore, by
which Tim answered by challenge 10 the field
This note was borne by an individual named
King Holsten, and when presented, Mr. Moore
declined accepting it, upon the ground that
Zim was not a gentleman. Mr. Holstein re-
marked to Moore that if he would not fight Ii n,
he should fight his (Zim's) friend. Mr. Moore
replied that he was ready now or at any time,
Holsein withdrew, and Moore awaited has chal-
lenge, MS that is the etiquette Of the code dhon-
near-lnstead Of HolseIns challenging, howev-
err, Tim. posted Mr. Moore, during the night, and
Holsten paraded the streets of Alexandria the
next day armed ms il intending TO attack Moore.
They met, and Moore proclaimed him in the
crowd ga skulking co,Card and most pittful pup
py,' yet Holstein made attack. Some seuen-
ieen days afierw ar,ls Information was conveyed
TO John w. Moore that Holstein intended to kill
him, hut this Moore disregarded. because he
thought Hostein had suffered too much on the
previous occasion TO think of renewing hostili-
ties.
Mr. Moore's residence for the summer was in
the pine woods opposite Alexandria, s. when ne
arrived ut the Ferry House on the morning Of
the 81 inst, on his way to Alexandria, to attend
to his e2 itorial duties, he was rushed upon hy
Hostein, who awaited Mt the Ferry House &C
costing him, his gun presented, with the words,
"Beg for your life, you damned rascal, or will
kill you.'
we shall suffer it to detail the minu,e of this
tragic event. The Wing thus proceeds with
the account: Mr. Moore aware now, for the first
time, that his enemy was so near, suddenly stop
ped folded his arms across his breast, drew him-
self up to his full height, and observed to Mr.
Hostein, you have me in your power-heg for
my life | shan't-shoot, you please Holstein
did so-,he gun snapped. Immediately Mr.
Bringhurst stepped up to Holsein and request
ed him to desst; he paused an instant cooked
the other Darrell, then laid i'll by his sde--but
painting for the blood of his victim, he mmedi-
ateIy drew large dueling pistol from his belt,
and said to Mr. Moore, 'Why did you post meg
Il did not was Mr. Moore's reply. 81 aUiU fight
yon, Mr. Holstein on equal terms, IN any manner
you propose-1y ou ,oish no,o TO have my life, 1t
Is IN your po,0er-take it, still continuing in his
former position, from which he had never stirred.
Holstein took deliberate aim for two seconds,
fired, ball entering the abdomen, passing through
the colon, thence ranging upwards with the
spine. Holstein Immediately mounted his horse,
which the Labats had in readiness for him,
and dashed off at full speed, since which, no
,idings has reached us, except that he stopped
for few minutes at Mr. Talley's house on his
road, whipping like an Indian, and exclaiming,
that 4" he had giusn the damned rascal has .Sa-
UiOur."
Upon his friends reaching him, Mr. Moore
calmly observed, shat he was killed; that the
ball had hurt his spine; that he supposed Mr.
Holstein had now his revenge, but that he freely
forgave him for what he had DONE
Mr. Moore's last moments are thus described
by the author from whom we quote:
"From the instant the ball struck, paralysis
seized the lower extremities, and without one
interval Of case, from the most eXcrutiating tor
ments, suffering in his own language, ten
thousand DEATHS he calmly expired in the full
possession of all his mental faculties, Mt eight
o'clock the same evening.
We have thus given to the public the facts of
this dark and damnable murder. Much more
is said. which no doubt results from excitement,
which time will allay. The Red River Wing
calls Mr. Moore political Martyr, and calls up
on the Wings Of Rapides TO avenge his fall
This is all improper. Holstein is an assassin, if
the wing tells the truth and shonld be hung 'as
high as Haman; so, also, should the Labatts who
assisted him to escape and aided him in the at
tack, but let no man who loves his country talk
about political mar rydom
Distressing Event. We learn that on Friday
afternoon, company Of bows were amusing
themselves in the belfry of the old meeting
house in Piermont, piece of heavy timber was
detatched and fell from its place in the belfry,
upon the head of little boy the son of Mr. Abel
Crook,) who was seated upon the steps that lead
into the meeting house, breaking his skull in a
most horrid manner The little sufferer linger-
Ell insensby until Saturday afternoon, when he
died.-HaUerliM (W H) Whir