The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-01-13

AWFUL TRAGEDY IN COLUMBUS, GEoRGn.-We
nave Just received the particulars of most tragcal
event, which has taken place in olumbus, Geor-
sia We annex the two letters of our conespon-
dents relating the particulars. We knew Col Hepburn
well. He had great deal OF talent-some eccen-
tncities-but was, taking him for all in ALL hon
| orable man. OF General McDougald we have never
heard aught against his character. What an awful
result
COLUMBUS, Ga, JAN 9Th, lSi3.
j. q. BENNETT, Esq =
knowing you are always anxious to receive the
earliest news of the events OF the day, hasten to
lay before you a catastrophe which has filled our
city with gloom. 1t is the death of Col Burton
] Hepburn, who was shot, and immediately expired,
in an affray with Gen Daneld McDOuga this morn
ing, at halt past O'Clock, at the counting room OF
the latter.
The particulars which led to the occurrence OF
this traglcal event, are briefly these:-Col H. had
some dlhculty with Gen McD. in the settlement OF
some old business, which resulted in mutual recrlmi-
nation OF harsh language. The General was mo-
mentarily expecting challenge, when he yesterday
received an anonymous letter, telling him to beware
OF Col H., as he intended making attack on him
at sight, and that he must not in the street
without being armed COL Fl had last night address,
ed note to Gen Med, couched in such language
as intended TO draw challenge from him, which
And accordingly, he this morning proceeded to the
Generals Office and on opening the door, said,
General, have come" aud had got thus far, when
he received pistol ball in his LETT side, just below
the heart and died instantly.
The affair has caused great deal of excitement,
and God only knows when il will end-particularly
against the author of the anonymous letter. as it
was undoubtedly the cause OF the affair. The Gen.
era has delivered himself up in the custody of the
Sheriff. The Coroner's verdict was Jutifable homi-
eide.
ONE OF YOUR OLDEST SUBSCRIBERS.
Cor r,upr,S Ga Ian eth 1919
JAMES g. BENNETT, Esq
. AS you are always DESTROYS of obtaining the ear
hest news that will interest your numerous readers,
have taken the liberty OF addressing you at this
time.
Our town early this morning thrown into
great excitement by what would be called in your
city an awful tragedy. Col. Burton Hepburn is no
more; ne met his death this morning by the hands
OF Daniel McDougald, the former president OF the
Planters and Mechanics Bank now ofthe Insurance
Bank OF this place. The circumstances of the case
as far as can be correctly ascertained, are these:-
Hepburn came out purposely to have settlement
with McDougald respecting some cotton transac-
tons OF old date, involving some $4,000 which
McDougald has heretofore refused to settle Hep
burn stated to his friends that unless the thing was
settled within two DAYS, one or the other of them
mast die; which McDougald hearing prepared him.
self to meet him, being also informed, through an
anonymous letter, that Hepburn intended to assas-
slnate him In the street. Hepburn proceeded this
morning, about eight o'clock, to .M'Dougald's
office, and on MD. opening the door, he stated
that he had come to give him (what, God Snows)
as he was stopped at these words, and pushed back
by Mr. McDougald, and shot dead. This is Nc
Dougald's statement; he expired in less than five
minutes, without speaking word. He was shot
in the lower part of the abdomen, the ball penetrating
nearly or quite through the body. The coroner's
jury returned verdict of ustlfabe homicide, which
would, however, In your city, been looked upon as
wlful murder In haste, yours,