Washington telegraph., 1846-04-01
AWFUL TRAGEDY,

-
a No event, we are satisfied, has ever oc.
curred in Nashville which produced such
4 i xcitement as was exhibited on Saturda n
efternoon, in consequence OF the homicide>
III Robert Perterfeid at the hand of L.
n. c.. Judson, in a rencountcr near the
Sulphur Spring, which, from all we can
iearn, was accidental, several shots were
hired, and ball from Judson's pistol took
Effect in the forehead of Porterlield ius,
above the right eye; and. without much
suffering, he breathed his last abou, IL
4o'clock on Saturday night.
We are not disposed 10 go into a detail
of the circumstances of this most ne,an-
3 chov affair. Satisfied, we are assured.
that he had been wronged in the tenderest
4 point, and goaded almost to madness by
i his convictions, Mr.. Porterlield was pre-.
pared to take vengeance, at the first oppor-
tunity, upon his direst foe, or lose his lie
in the attempt. 1t was willed by an over
ruling Providence that The latter alternative
should occur, and if becomes not man
to seek to !athom His wisdom or inten-
tions.
Judsoa was arrested-as we are in
formed, for we were absent from town
during the occurrences-and borne to the
Court house, and shortly afterwards, a
brother of Porterield, who was by his
side al the time he fell, and had been
presI mt while the Physicians were in con-
sutaiion and, amidst the distress and
anguish OF a widowed mother and. other
near and anxious relatives, had heard them
announce the certainty of speedy dis
solution, rushed in, and in spite of the
efforts Of the Sheriff and other persons
way having been made for him-ired
several times ine1e ctuaIly AZ the prisoner.
while many of the excited crowd sent forth
cries '.to hang him." and others ITO shoot
him." Judson escaped from the Court
room, and, IN spite Of all the efor;s made
to stop him, and though fred upon as he
ran, he succeeded in reaching the City
Hotel, almost unhurt, and in hiding himself
in the third story. lie was dislodgad,
however, in a short time, and, finding no
other way to escape, pTecipitated himself
from the por;.co. and, being stunned by the
fall, was soon surrounded and borne of 10
Jail.
While. in ihe eve of cold reason. and
of colder law, the course OF the brother of
the slain man. AMI of the excited crowd.
might seek in vain for sufficient excuse or
palliatiOn---the whole aiair--preced.ng
circums'ances-ihe Sudden death of an
esiimah!e and youthful ci,izen-were well
calculated to pFoiuce. in fail and i'm
perfect men the results which occurred in
The Court house, aal at the City noie!
OF the terrible scene of Saturday night,
we vii! net allow ourselves now to speak
choosing to wait until our le.iow.c.;izens,
as wei. "a ourselves are in the proper
frame ol mind 10 vie~ i IA all It's bearings
and Consequences.
TIL fa.era. OF Mr. Parterfe.d loo!, place
a; } O'Clock on yesterday (Suniay) aiier.
noon at The Presbyterian Church, and never
have we vithcsseI in any sacred edilice
in Nashville. so large and respeciahe, an
ssseIniiisge. 1,4ve il..susaa4 parsons
among whom were ihe Iiremea AMI Odd
Jel!ows-!nasl have lo.lowei tie body to
the grave
We learn that Julson--who is in Jail
is in d precarious situation, a!th ,ugA the
chances are in iavur OF his recovery.
N0S5r3'e : tE!scy, IGb al.