Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-02
Holm u. Warning.

Tue last number of the Lexington (Ky.) contains
the following very interesting account of the last mo-
ments of this notorious and remarkable man
We have heard it stated that no e" coat of mai" -
was found upon his body after death. He was, in his
life and death, a most unfortunate man. From
some cause or other, his mind had taken a wrong
bent many years ago, which led him into a long
series of acts of an unjustifable character, and in
volved him in innumerable feuds, and almost continual
combats. We became acquainted with him in 1896
7, while he was residing in Union county, III this
State, and have been ~tolerably familiar with his his
tory, both before and since that period. Since the
conclusion of the border wars between England and
Scotland, few men have acted q similar part in civiliz-
ed life. AT times he was upon terms of defiance
with the whole community in which he lived his
life has been repeatedly attempted he was always
- armed to the teeth" when he left his own house,
which was itself almost an arsenal. When killed he
had a brace OF six-barreled revolving pistols, and a
large bowie-knife upon his person, and was momenta-
rily expecting an attack from some one of his nu-
merous foes.
He was u lawyer, and most of his difficulties orig
mated from the mode in which he ~practised his pro-
fession. By buying up old and doubtful claims he
involved himself in endless lit Cation and the bitter
ness generally attendant upon such cases, was deep
ened and widened by the manner in which he conduct
cd his suits. No apprehension of personal danger
ever deferred hin from purchasing those claims, or
prosecuting them TO the utmost afterwards. On the
CpDAi y 2 hN HOGESStO NNDSGA 1919 80 - "
ditional inducement; and he was always ready to de-
fend them by tongue, pen or pistol.
Had his mode Of warfare been more bold and open,
he would have avoided much of the Obloquy which his
course drew down upon him. But SO exceedingly cir
cumspect had he been In always placing himself in
an apparently i~ustiiable position, legally, many doubt
ed his personal courage. 1t Is but fair, however, to
say that his life had been secretly aimed at by his enc
mics, and that he displayed unyielding irmness from
the time of receiving his death wound up to the hour
of his death.
The ball entered lust above his left eve. which was
forced from its socket and rested upon his cheek it
passed through the root of his tongue, down bis throat,
and perforated his lungs. Immediately after recover
ing from a few moments of insensibility, he made
signs for writing materials finding he was misunder-
stood, with all the force he could muster, he feebly
articulated the word ink" Surprising he wished
his will written, a lawyer was called in for that pur-
pose. Warning refused his assistance, drew the mate
rails towards him, and wrote a number of notes, re-
~QueSting the attendance of his son-in-law, papers from
the clerks office and his own residence, &c. &c.
Having procured what he required, although bleeding
freely internally, with the blood gushing rapidly at
short intervals from his nostrils and mouth, without
displaying the slightest symptoms of pain, he proceed
ed calmly aud sternly with his final task, at which he
was engaged until late at night. He completed some
unfinished contracts, entered into a new one, gave re-
ceipts, settled accounts, brought a suit, drew up his
will, and arranged all his worldly affairs as far as il
was possible.
The scene, whilst thus engaged, has been described
to us, as the most melancholy and appalling one
which was probably ever witnessed. The internal
hemorrhage compelled him to remain in a sitting pos
; ture from the time he was wounded until he died.
His grey hairs dabbled with his own blood, with which
his dress and person were almost entirely covered
his s~pectacles pressed firmly down upon his ~protruded
eye, which rested in CHASTITY prominence upon his
cheek, he piled his pen with relentless determination.
f His life's last sands were ebbing fast; minutes had
become to him things of the last Importance. Yet,
= precious as the last fieeting moments were, his labors
were greatly lenthened by the occasional rapid eiec-
ton of gore from his mouth, bespattering and oblite-
rating what be had written. Pushing the blood-stain-
ed sheet aside, his task was again resumed with IN.
shaken frmness. In this seeming conflict between
destiny and himself, Waring triumphed. He liver
twelve hours longer than the physicians deemed pos.
sible, and had still time to have paid some attention
to his eternal welfare. Our information leads us &c
5 believe that this was entirely disregarded. and thai
he died as unforgivingly as he had lived. 1t is said
= that one of his family begged, on Blended knees. thai
, he (Waring) would forgive his enemies-he shook his
head and stamped his foot in stern denial.
So passed from this earth, after a life of turmoil
! strife, bitterness, and b~loodshed, John U. Warning
9 May his spirit find more peace in the next, than wa.
$ vouchsafed to him in this world.
b The Louisville Journal says-We learn thata young
e man named Richardson, a resident of Lexington. ha,
? publicly stated that he shot John U. Waring. He il
J the son of Samuel Q. Richardson, who was killed b,
Warning some years ago at Frankford.
' ADVANTAGE OF A COOP CHARAcTER.-A countrl
! ! paper, giving an account of an inquest upon the bod
a of n vounp man. who had been killed hv n blow from