Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1841-06-02
From the Yicksburg Sentinel.

RICHARD HAGAN ACQUITTED-and Patrick
Hanley sentenced to years in the penitentia-
ry.-We learn from the Natchez Gutter the
trial of Richard Hagan, Esq. for killing Josias
A. Lyle, late mayor OF Natchez, took place
last week in Jefferson County and he was
promptly cquitted.-Patrick Banley the as
sociate of Lyle in his attack on Hagan's life in
the Mansion House at Natchez2 years ago,
and also at the plantation when Hagan killed
him, was tried the day following and sent
years to Jackson. The circumstances of this
case we believe have never been fully laid be-
fore the public until the late trial at Fayette.
Richard Hagan and the deceased Lyle, brought
a large cotton plantation and negroes near
Rodney in partnership; and John Hagan, Esq.
Of New Orleans advanced nearly all the mon
ey invested in the plantation. After the ex-
plosion Of 1887, when most needy people tunr-
ed rogues, Lyle had control of the plantation
with from 20 to 100 negroes which he never
paid for, and Mr.. Hagan discovered that he
was playing foul. The first act of fraud that
he discovered was selling one of the best negro
gnls on the place for 1900 dollars, and repre-
senting in letter to Hagan at New Orleans.
that she had died. Several months after Mr..
Richard Hdgan was at the house of the gen.
tleman who bought the negro girl from LYLE
1
servant living and well. He went to hatcher
and charged Lyle with the fraud; warm words
and blows ensued, and Hagan punished his
adversary very severely. The next fraud was
the abduction of several hundred bales of cot
ton and the shipping of it to England, after an
injunction from the Chancellor had been laid
on the crop and all the chattels of the planta.
ton. Hagan had occasions 20 visit Natchez
and Lyle with his accomplice Hanley, sought
HIM at the Mansion House.-Hanley who was
laborer or understrapper for Lyle, went up tc
Mr.. Hagan and commenced an attack on him
when the latter attempted to draw his knife o.
pistol, and Hanley Immediately seized Hagan
round the body and held him firmly, while
+ Lyle drew his pistol, walked up within two
feet Of HagaDi and deliberately shot him in the
face. The ball buried itself in the bones O
, his face and remains there to this day. Hi
life was despairedoffor months;but after he re-
, covered Chancellor Buckner, took the estat,
out Of the hands of Lyle for misappropriatio
of the proceeds, and Hagan took possession O
the house to take care of the property. Han
, ley threatened some ten days prior to the at
, tack, that Hagan should be driven from tn,
, house by force of arms, and of course the lat
, ter had provided himself with a respectable
Arsenal to resist the invasion, Lyle, Hanle,
and two or six others, left Natchez in Stean
Boat well loaded with guns, pstoles and knive
to execute the threat of Hanley. After the
landed, Lyle and Handley advanced wit
double barrel guns and other appliances {
| war, towards the house where Hapan wa
prepared to receive them. When they cam
, up to the fence, Mr.. Richard Hagan went on
and asked their business, "Pcace" says Lylt
= "Well you keep away from this place." saw
: Hagan. Lyle still advanced and brought hi
gun to level, but Hagan was little too ouic
for him and discharged his piece, when Lyl
fell and expired. Hanley fred too but missed
; Hagan discharged his other barrel and shot ar
I other of Lyle's party in the leg. He then re
; turned for another gun and snapped it at Har
: ley. In. the mean time Lyles crowd erie
saUe our pela. Two Of them however hoiste
: flag oftruce and returned for lyle, carrie
= him 10 dug out on the rivers edge and too
|. the corpse to NatchGz. 1t was a melanchol
! event, but all admit that Lyle was the sole az
gressor.