Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1842-12-07

Tragedy in Real Life.

The N. 0. Trop gives the following account
OF . fatal affair which took place o, Columbia,
Arkansss:
Some months ago, Doctor Peake. formerly
of Prince William county, Virginia, and lately
Of Palmyra, Missy arrived at Columbia, with
lady and child, supposed to be his wife and dau9h
tor, aud took lodgings at the hotel. lie hac dur
ing that time acquired the respect OF the commu.
nifty and much professional reputation.
A few days since a gentleman (whose name IS
not new recoIlected, but Who is also a resident oil
Pathway landed at Columbia and presented
letter Of introduction 10 gentleman OF me ne,gh,
borhood whom he informed that DR.. Peake bad
been his friend and family physician at Palmyra,
whore he had long. enjoyed lucrative and ex-
,ensiye practice That about six mon his ago his
wife had expressed an earnest desire 10 visit
relative in ono OF the northern counties OF Mis-
sIssippi, TO which, unsuspicious OF wrong, ne had
yielded his consent, and she accordingly lett Pal
myrs, taking with her their little daughter about
years old; that Immediately afterwards Dr. +.
left PALMYRA, without making known TO any one
his object or destination. A few weeks after
DR. p e departure, the unsuspeciing husband re
ceived letter from his Mississippi friends. stnt-
ing that his wife had eloped with a stranger who
had appeared in the neghborhood soon after his
wife's arrival there carrying with her the child,
but that no clue 10 their hiding place had been
discovered by her friends. The husband made
diligent search and inquiry for the fugitves, but
without success till about fortnight ago, when
no was informed by q steamboat captain that he
had seen DR.. Peake at Columbia. To this spot
tho husba nd mmedia tey repaired, carrying ere.
dentials Of his own standing, and a letter OF IN
troduc ton to tho gentleman to whom on landing
al Columbia he related the story of his wrongs
He then informed this gentleman that he only
desired TO recover his child and would only use
force in case Of resistance. Accompanied by
the gentleman, (who at once espoused his cause,)
he went TO the boarding house and without cere-
mony entered the room occupied by DR.. Peake
aud his adulterous wife. On entering he ,mme-
diately secured his child, and on attempt OF
DR.. Peake to interpose, he drew a pistol and di.
recting ii to DR.. Peake, threatened hun instan,
death if he advanced. The doctors interference
being thus arrested, the unhappy man bore his
child off without further hndrance. few min
utes afterwards he received a message from his
wife praying on interview, which he granted on
condition that it should take place in the presence
Of witnesses. Accordingly he repaired with sew
eral Of the citizens of the town to her apartment,
whore he was speedily interrupted by the spprech
of DR.. Peake, armed with pistol. lie lmlnedi-
ately stepped TO the door and drawing his pistol
fired and wounded DR.. p. who, however, contin-
ued 10 advance upon hum with angry and menac.
ing gestures The husband, who throughout The
whole affair acted with extraordinary coolness,)
then drew Bowie knife, and rushing upon DR..
p before the latter could fire his pistol, plunged
it into his heart. The Doctor fell and Immediate
ly expired, his adversary exclaiming, "there dies
q william, once my dearest friend, who first de-
stroyed my happiness and deserved death, bu,
Who has rushed on his own destruction"
We understand that the miserable Wits has
been provided for by her husband, but remains a.
Columbia, abandoned by him and his daughter,
and wretched outcast from oil viruous society.
He has no Home Because he Is a Drunkard.
Such was tho written reply Of deaf and dumb
young man, to question of ours concerning
companion OF his, who had fallen drunk in our
streets, short time since. she came from Mas
sachusetts, sir, but he has no home now, because
he IS n drunkard."
There are volumes in that single sentence, read
er. A drunkard has no home. Thus hs may
have place in which to rest at nj ht. table by
which TO sot by day. But he has no HOME. The
ten thousand sweet associations that cluster a.
round the old paternal mansion, converting, as
with magiciahs wand, the most common OBJ
jects into sources Of infinite and heartfelt pleas
ure, are wanting in the case OF q drunkard. For
him sweet remembrances Of the past
The days Of his childhood and innocence, as re-
called by busy memory, so far from causing him
delight, serve but to add sharper pang to his re-
morse. A mark, fearful as that with which
Cain was branded, is upon him, and be is wan
dere1 upon the face Of the earth"
wanderer! Misled by the devices Of pre-.
tended friends, no has wandered from the path
which "leads to health and many days." wander
ed from the path which leads TO happiness in this
life! alb, and too often irrecoverably wandered
from that path which leads to eternal life. Sad
his condition here, sadder still his destiny here's
nfter; without a homo in this life. with no hopes
for e,ernity-and oil because he is drunkard-
Total Abstinens
Sentence of Col IVebb-On Saturday morn.
ing Col. j. w. Webb sentenced by the n.
Y. Court Of Sessions, to two years Imprisonment
in Sing Sing, hi. confession of having left the
state TO give accept challenge to fight duel
with the Hon. Il. f. Marshall. The Col receiy-
ed the sentence with a smile. and then returned
the city prison, from which is thought he viii!
be released TO day, there seems to be little
doubt but Gov. Seward will grant pardon. Men
Of all parties have numerously signed petition