The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-03-26
AN ARRAY AT NASHVILLE.

The last NASHVILLE wing gives sdetateo
account oil. a terrible ARRAY that took place in
that city a few days ago, from which we make
the following extracts: fsoea59 ssss
Ropbert Porter6eld, whose uniimely death
whole community is now deploring, hav-
ing learned that E. &c Judson had stated
that he had had criminal intercourse with
his, Portcr6eld's, wife. sought an interview
with the latter, on Wednesday last, in pres
ence Of several individuals, TO one of whom,
it was said, Judson had made the statement.
That individual, when asked, in Judson's
presence, il such statement had been made
10 him by J udson, promptly answered in the
affirmative. Judson sirenuously denied it !;
! but, Porter6eld, placing no confidence in bis
denial, drew pistol and would have shot
him on the spot, had he not been prevented
from doing so by those who were present
On the evening of the day in which this in
tervlew took place, the individual al whose
office il was held, made known 10 Mr. John
Porterfield, the brother of the deceased,
that, prior TO the interview, Judson had call
ed upon him and confessed that he had
made the statement in question TO the indi-
vidual about 10 be brought forward as a wit
ness, but that for the purpose of saving his
life, which he knew would be taken by the
Porerfelds, if the fact were proven upon
him, he intended TO deny ever having said
any,hingso of the kind. Both the NIessrs.-
Porlerfeld became, entirely satisfied that
Judson5 had made the infamous statement
charged upon him, and, we are informed up
on reliable authority, that iherecannot be
doubt of his having made it. aass
T. Notwithstanding this, however, the affair
might have been dropped here, but for the
fact, that on Friday, Judson and Mrs Porter
!. field were known to be alone together for a
considerable time at the grave yard in the
vicinity Of town. - When this circumstance
was revealed to her unfortunate husba nd, he
fell to the floor, as liza ball had penetrated
his heart. Hewas of a singularly amable
and con6ding disposition and deyotedly at
tached 10 his wife. h sli-fzeass -
s In this frame of body and mind he propo-
sed to his brother, John Porterfeld, on Sat
urday, about half after three O'Clock, TO take
a walk, without any expectation, il is conf
IDENTITY believed, Of meeting with Judson.-
Unfortunately, however, they met with judi
son near the Sulpher Spring, when recoun-
ter Immediately stooS place. Three shots
were fired at Judson, as we understand, he,
backing the while, and protesting disincli-
nation 10 Shut. After the third shot,, he fired
and shot Robert Porterfield, in the forehead
Just above the right eye, of which wound the
latter died about l O'Clock that night. The
news that Judson had killed Porler6eld soon
spread like wild-fire. The public mind,
wound up 10 pitch of deep and maddening
excitement, was in condition 10 be thrown
off It's balance.
A large crowd soon collected in and around
the court house, where Judson, who had been
Immediately apprehended, was brought be-
fore an examining couri. The court was 10
the act OF preparing an order for bis commit
ment to Jail, when J. Porter6eld, frantic al
his brothers. death and injuries, made his
appearance in the court room, and the cry
1 burst forth from the crowd, arnake way for
John Porterfeld-let him kill Judson!'-
/ The sheriff, Lanier, who was in the clerks
box, where also was Judson, sprang forward
and met Poterfield, who had jumped over the
railing behind the bar, about midway between
the railing and the box, seized, and with the
/ aid Of one of his assistants, held him for some
moments Porter6eld struggling violent TO
1 release himself from their grasp. This he
finally effected by the aid oil some friends
| who oyerpowered the sheriff, and drawing a
revolving pistol, commenced firing at Judson
who starte in run out of The house, Por
terrified following in close pursuit and firing
/ at him, as often as occasion would permit,
down the steps, across from the courthouse
to the city Hotel, and up the steps ofthe
staircase of the hotel. One or two gentle
men endeayored to aid Judson in escaping TO
the hotel, but Porterfeld and his friends fol-
lowed SO closely in pursuit, that they were
compelled TO retire, and Judson, in hopes oil
effecting his escape, jumped, or more prob
ably swung himself of, from the portlco Of
the third story, and tell to the ground, stun
ned by the fall. Not less than eight or ten
shots were fred at him-ali, it is said, by
/ Porterfield-but not one Of which took eff
| feet. He was knocked down with rock be-
tween the courthouse and the hotel, and
only escaped for the moment, by jumping
from the portico OF the third story TO the
/ ground. which be effected without breaking
I or disclocatins limbi Thence he was con
i veyed by the Office rs TO jail without further
moles,aiion of interference on the part of
any one. .s
/ Here we most sincerely wish we could
end our painful narrative, but it is not per-
mi,ted 10 us. About 10 O'Clock that night,
considerable number of persons among
i whom, we are informed, were some of our
most respectable citizenship laborng un-
der the intense excitement which the occur.
rences of the day had produced, proceeded
. / t,o Il ord bo