The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-03-31

preparing an order Tor his commitment to Jail,
when j. Porterfeld frantic at his brothers. death
and injuries, made his appearance in the Court
room, and the cry burst forth from the crowd.
:" make way for John Porterfleld-let him kill
Judson'' The Sheriff, Lanier who was in the
Clerks box, where also was Judson, sprang for
ward and met Porterfeld, who jumped over the
railing behind the bar, about midway between the
railing and the box, seized, and with the aid Of
one os his assistants. held him for some moments
Porteried struggling violently TO release himself
from their grasp. This he finally effected by the
aid OF some friends who overpowered the Sheriff,
and, drawing revolving pistol, commenced firing
at Judson, who started in a run out of the house,
Porterfield following in close pursuit and firing
at him, as often as occasion would permit, down
the steps, across from the Court House to the
City Hotel, and up the steps of the staircase of
the Hotel One or two gentlemen endeavored
to aid Judson in escaping 10 the Hotel but Porter
field and his friends followed so closely in pur-
suit, that they were compelled to retire, and
Judson, in hopes of effectng his escape, jumped,
or more probably swung himself off, from the
portico of the third story. and fell to the ground
stunned by the fall. Not less than eight or ten
shots were fired at htn-all, it is said, by Porter
feld-but not one Of which took effect He was
Knocked down with rock between the Court
House and the Hotel, and only escaped, for the
moment by jumping from the purco of the third
story to the ground, which he effected without
breaking or dislocating limb Thence he was
conveyed by the officers 10 Jail without farther
moestation or interference on the part of any ono
Here we most sincerely wish we could end our
painful narrative. But it is not permitted to u.s.
About ten O'clock that night, considerable num-
Der OF persons among whom, we are informed,
were some OF our most respectable citzens-siill
laborng under the intense excitement which the
occurrences of the day had produced, proceeded
to the Jail, and against the rem0nsirances and in
defiance of the resistance of the jailor possessed
themselves of the keys, seized Judson and pro-
ceeded with him to the Public Square, with the
avowed intention Of hanging him. This, how
ever, was not done.
The rope, it is said with which it was attempt
ed to hang him, broke. We suspect IL ,cas in
tentionaliy cut Reason had by this time began
TO resume its sway, and Judson finally car
ried back TO the jail and delivered into the hands
of the keeper by the same party who had taken
him out. His situation, we understand is some.
what precarious, rendered 50 by The bruises no
received, and possibly from some internal injury
occasoned by his fall from the portico
Against this taking the law into their ow hands
by an excited community, must lift up our
voice. 1t is of evil precedent and most dangerous
tendency, and can never he justified When it
becomes an habual practice, our institutions will
be at an end. And it should be recolIected. tina,
every act of the kind, whatsoever be the provo
cations. as 1t famliariZes the public mind with
such scenes, tends TO deprive the law of its only
barrier against encroachment and overthrow-res-
pect and reverence for it the part of the people
themselves
On the present occasion il ca mot be denied that
there existed the songest incentives both TO in
dIvidnal and public xciement--incentyes, how
ever, not likely to be understood or appreciated
abroad. In this country, as far as our knowledge
goes, public opinion not only excuses, but usiifes
the summary and nDceremonous killing by the
husband of the man who dishonors his wife Be-
fore God, could stand by and see such an Of
fender shot down by the injured husband with as
little regret could see a sheep killing doc
shot! Had Robert POrterfield armed himself
with musket and shot down Judson, as he walk.
ed the streets he would have stood excused and JUS
titled before this community. Had John Porter
held succeeded in his attempt TO kill him, he too.
would have been excused by public opinion He
acting under the influence of such madden
ing prOyocation, as every one, who knows him.
knows he would not have acted. had time been
given him for cool reflection. Nor let The sum
mary punishment which awaits the seducer in
this country be doomed too harshly of. The of
fender is aware of what will probably follow, if
detected. He knows perfectly well that death,
in most cases Is the penalty of the offence, upon
the commission of which he cOolly and syslemati-
cally enters. That is the reason ,Ohy The c, inc
IS Of so rare occurrence in The South and Vest,
in proportion 10 population.
10 the foregoing narrative we have discharged
disagreeable, but peremptory duty. We could
have desired to pass over the occurrences without
such distinct illusions TO The supposed criminal
intercourse between Judson and Mrs. Porterield.
But the prevalent belief Of the fact of such inter
course, and Of tho additional fact. that Judson,
himself, have madO il known, affords the only
satisfactory explanation Of the true cause of the
lamentable occurrences which have uanspired-
Simple justice TO our community required state
ment the exciting influences under which they
were acting. II was every way due, not only to
the Messrs. Porter6eds and their immediate
friends but ii was due to the whole community
that the singularly exciting causes, which wero
producing effects so much TO be regretted, should
be made known TO the world This we have
been endeavoured TO do, as well the hurry of the
occasion would permit.
REPARTEE.--A Frenchnan once trading in tho
market, was interrupted by an imperiinent would