Arkansas intelligencer., 1843-03-18

quite confused by the surprise and pain of the
wound, could lend 10 aid. Mercer, however made
no resistance, but yielded himself up quietly.
meanwhile the carriage was opened, and He.
bertoHNas discovered fallen on the opposite seat.
Mr. Van Dyke giving Mercer into the hands of
some of tho bystanders hastened to Heberton's
asslstaice and taking him in his arms, said "He-
berton. do you know mel' the dying man family
ansFeisd "yes," which was the last word that he
uttsted.
WI hen the carriage arrived at Cakes tavern,
5Hebefton was found to be dead. AS soon as Mer-
Ger entered the tavern. he began to dance and
make joyous exclamations, expressive of grat-
fled vengeance. The police soon arrived and
took charge of him.
Caleb Roberts, ESQ.,, coroner of Gloucester
county, came and empanneled jury. Mr.. Van
Dyke objected to post morlem examination. un-
til his brother, Dr.. Rush Van Dyke, was sent for,
so the investigation was postponded till Saturday
morning, when Drs. Mulford and Fisher of Cam
dem, and DR.. Van Dyke of Philadelphia, were
present.
The first ball caused Hebertou's death it en-.
tered beneath the scapula shoulder blade,) and
the sixth rib, passed through the left lung and the
percaroium and lodged in the fleshy. part of the
right ventricle of the heart. The coroners iury
returned verdict of wilful murder, against Mer-
Ger.
During the post mortem investigation, Mercer
was examined before Justice Harrison of Cam.
den' who after hearing several witnesses, COM
mtted him to the Gloucester county Jail for trial,
F. W. fiubbell. ESQ.,, of Phadel phia, acted as
Mercer's counsel. He was heavily ironed and
taken to Jail in n private vehicle, ACCOMPANIED
by an officer, friend, and his counsel,
On Friday night, about IL o'clock, while Mer-
Ger was in custody of the officers, Mr.. Van DYKE
asked him if he was not hungry, and if he did
not want something to eat. To which M. replied
81 have not eaten anything for thirty-six hours,
except dozen raw oysters" A supper WIS or.
dered, Mercer eat heartily, and then lay down
and slept soundly for four hours.
The first ball, as we have said, caused death:
all four OF the balls, passed through the leather
curtains of the carriage; three of them went
through and out on the opposite side Each of the
two barrels that missed fire, contained ball.
Heberton, the deceased, has left a widowed mo.
ther, who resides in Ninth street near Cherry.-
His father, Dr. Heberton, formerly resided in
Arch street. In person, he was remarkably
handsome, with dark hair and eyes, regular fea.
lures and good figure, and every way au,lified
to misead a susceptible young female. His flu.
neral took place this afternoon from his mother 8
residence in Ninth street, at 81 O'Clock. Curiosi.
ty attracted greut crowd to witness the obse.
quies, at which the First City Troop, to which he
belonged, was also in Attendance. 80 r :
At the time Of the assassination, II. was we'll
armed. he had about his person, a dirk knife and
pocket pistol, and in the carriage a rife and a
fo~ling piece. No Doubt he anticipated an at.
tack from the enraged brother of Miss NJ
The trial Of Mercer will take place at Woodbu.
ry in next March. aE
ieberton's mustache and imperial which he
wore during life. had been shaved off Just before
his decase, probably to avoid detection.
Sarah Mercer has been insane ever since the
death of Heberton, md it is doubtful whether she
will ever recover her senses. E
The behaviour of Heberton to the Messrs. Mer.
Ger, father and son, at Alderman Mtchell's Office
was quite offensive and insulting. Singleton Mer.
Ger addressed him politely and told him that if he
would restore his sister, the affair would be hush
ed up. To which H. rudely answered: do not
know where your sister is; some girl came to ou,
house last night, and on some ones going out tc
see who It was, she run away: it looked enough
} like you (meaning Mr.. NJ. y 10 be your sister.
On consider alton of the whole matter it ap
pears that Heberton's fate cannot be much lament
ed, and that the tragic termination of his career
excltes compassion rather for the snke of his mo.
thor and the wretched young man who was driv.
en- to execute vengeance upon him. That accord
ing to legal definition, this will prove clear ca Sc
OF murder, no one will doubt but when the fraiI
! ty OF human nature, the youth of the dellnquen,
and the monstrous injury inflicted on him and his
family, are considered, there are not many who
will wish TO see the vengeance Of the law exeeu-
ted to its greatest extent. We really wish thai
the offender may be dealt with, as much lenity as
: soicitude for the cause of Justice will admit.
The fate of Heberton will be warning TO the
reckless lIbertineS who infest or CITY and vb "a
late years have become moro and more numerous.