New-York daily tribune., 1842-11-28

TRAGEDY IL REAL LlFE.-From an esteemed
friend az Columbia, Ark, we obtained the follow.
ing recital of wrong, and its certain and summary
punishment. Byron was right
..Tfu,h is strange, stranger than fiction"
Some months ago, Doctor Peake, formerly OF
Prince William county, Virginia, and lately OF
Palmyra. Miss arrived at Columbia, with lady
and child, supposed to be his wife and daughter,
and took lodgings at the hotel. he mad during
that time acquired the respect OF the community
and much professional reputation.
a few days since gentleman (whose name Is
not now recoec,ed, but who is also resident OF
Palmyra landed at Columbus and presented let
ter of introduction TO gentleman of the neighb
hood whom he informed that DR.. Peake had been
his friend and family physician at Palmyra, where
he had long enjoyed lucrative and extensive prac-
,ice That about six months ago his wife had eX-
pressed an earnest desire to visit relative in one
of the northern counties of Mississippi, to which,
unsuspicious OF wrong, he had yielded his consent
and size accordingly left Palmyra, taking with her
their daughter about years old: that immed' ately
afterwards Dr. pcake left Palmyra, without max
ing known to any Que his object or destination. A
few weeks after Dir. P.s departure, the unsus-
pectipg husband received letter from his Mlss1s-
sippi friends, stating that his wife had eioped with
a stranger who had appeared in the nelghberhooo
soon alter his wiie's arrival there, carrying with
her the child, but that no clue TO their hiding place
had been discovered by her friends. The husband
made tiligent search and inquiry, for the tugitives,
>rSIt wnhou, success until about fortnight ago,
when he was informed by q steamboat captain that
hs had seen DR.. Peake at Columbia. 10 this spot
the husband Immediately repaired, carrying Gre
dent,ais of his own standing, and letter OF In
PRODUCTION to the gentleman to whom on landing al
Columbia he related the stery 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 oace espoused his cause ne
went TO the boarding house and without ceremony
entered the room occupied by DR.. Peake and his
aduterous wife. On entering he immediately Sc
cured is child, and an attempt oil Dr cake TO
interpose he drew pistol and directing 1t towards
Dr. Peake threatened him with instant death u
he advanced The doctors interference being
thus arrested, the unhappy man bore his child of
without farther hindranee a few minutes after
wards he received message from his wife praying
an interview, winch he granted on condition thai
it should take place in the presence OF witnesses
Accordingly ne repaired with several of the citizens
OF the town TO her apartment, where he wa:
speedily interrupted by the approach OF DR.. Peake
armed with pistol He Immediately stepped u
the door and drawing his pistol fired and wounded
Dr. p, who, however, continued to advance OF
him with angry and menacng gestures. The hus
bapd, (,yhc throughout the whole affair acted will
extraordinary coolness) then drew Bowie knife
and rushing on Dir. P. before the latter could hr'
bis pistol plunged it into his heart. The Docto
fell aud Immediately expired, his adversary ex
claiming, ~ there dies villain once my deares
friend, who first destroyed my happiness and de
served death, but who has rushed on his OWE des
tructiou.
We understand that the miserable wife has beel
provided Tor by her husband, but remains at Colum
bia, abandoned by him and his daughter, and
wrctched outcast from all virtuous society.
New Orleans Tropic, 18th Nov