Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1846-03-05
DEATH OF JOHN HAMPDEN
pLEASANTC.

PLEASANTS.
Having failed this weekto receive the letters
Of either our Washington or Richmond Cor
respondents, we transfer to our columns the
annexed extract from the letter Of "Poroaac,"
the intelligent Washington Correspondent Of
the Baltimore Patriot, which win put the reader
in possession of the particulars Of the melan-
cholly rencontre which resulted in the death Of
John Hampden Pleasan,s, the late Distinguish
ed Editor of the Richmond Wing. We also
learn from the Richmond Times" Of Satur-
day. the 18th inst. ''that the verdict Of the Cor
oner's jury was that Thomas Richie, IT., was
guilty Of the murder of peasants in mutual
combat, had between them on the 25th inst,
and that Peter ]. Archer, Washington Green
how and William Scott were present, aiding
and abetting in said combat and said murder"
The Coroner has issued his warrant to arrest
said parties found guilty by the inquisition.
WAsHrSeToN, Feb. q, 1916.
John Hampdea Plcasaats is dead! He died
this morning at 2 O'Clock, ofthe wounds intlic.
ted upon his person by Thomas Richie, III, in
their recent rencontre.
| learn the to be substantially as follows
The quarrel had gone on in their news
papers to such an extent that Mr.. peasants
thought himself called upon to bring the mat
ter to crisis He therefore sent a request to
MIR. Richie to meet him at specified place
and hour across the river from Richmond with
side-arms. Mr.. Richie sent word back that
he could not consent to settle the affair in that
way. Mr.. Peasants then sent him word that
the matter must be settled, and in that way.
Mr.. Richie then prepared himself with a
revolver Of six barrels, two duelhng pistols,
and horseman's short sword, and repaired to
the place designated, at the time named.
| Mr.. Peasants, who had not arrived, with
two (or four--there is doubt about this) COM
mon pistols and sword cane. A friend of
Mr.. Peasants approached Mr.. Richie, and
said to him, that he thought the difficulty might
be settled if the latter would do one thing, and
that was, TO acknowledge that he believed MIR.
Peasants to be brave man. Mr.. Richie re-
piled that once he could have done this; but
now, Mr.. Peasants having called him there,
and not appearing himself. he could not make
such an acknowledgment Mr. Peasants
friend then informed him that he presumed he
would have to fight. Mr.. Richie replied, very
The friend of the latter left the spot and went
to his principal, who was not far Off Soon
after this, Mr. Peasants appeared approaching
Mr. Richie, considerably in advance of the
two friends who had accompanied him to the
spot. As he approached at rapid pace, MIR.
| Richie fred successfully his two duelling pis-
| tolls, resting each on his left arm, drawn up in
an angle for that purpose. He then presented
his revolver and fired either four or five OF its
barrels. After he had fired upon Mr.. Peasants,
the latter drew and fired twice without effect,
all the time rushing up to MIR. Richie, and
when near enough he struck him with his
sword cane, when the scabbard flew off, and
Mr.. Richie struck up the blade or spear with
his short sword--in doing which he received
the point of Mr. Peasants spear in the corner
of his mouth, cutting upward slight cash.
Mr.. PEASANTS then fell, having received
five wounds from the pistol shots of his antag-
onist, if not one from his short sword One
ball raked across the back of his left hand, car
rying away all the muscles and tendons lead
ing to the fingers-another passed through the
fieshy part of the left arm, half way up from
the elbow to the shoulder-another entered the
left breast and ranged round under the arm--a
fourth entered the left groin and proved NOR
tai. The fifth wound was in the right thigh,
either by ball or thrust from the short
sword, above alluded. 1t is thought to have
been from the latter
So has ended the earthly career of the gifted,
the high-minded, the generous, whole-souled
JOHN HAMPDEN PEASANTS! His loss to the
community in which he moved, TO the Edito-
rial fraternity of which he was ever spark
ling, brilliant member, and to the thousands OF
his ever delighted and instructed readers, will
be most deeply felt, as his sanguinary exit will
be sadly mourned For many years he has
been one of the most vigorous, original and
brilliant political writers in the country. He
was man Of strong impulses, and in the ex-
element of the moment sometimes committed
editorial errors. or did his opponents injustice.
| But that man lived not who would more readi-
ly or amply atone for indiscretons or injuries
of this nature! He was the soul of honor! |
can scarcely make myself believe that he is
dead---that | shall no more have the pleasure
and enjoyment of perusing the bright scintilla-
tons OF his genius sparkling through the edi-
torial columns of Richmond paper!