Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1846-03-21
Correspondence Of the Baltimore Patriot.
WAsuNaroN, Feb. 81, 1916.

Correspondence of the Baltimore Patriot.
WARRINGTON, Feb. 81, ls46.
JOHN HAMppEN PLEAsANTs is deadl He
died this morning at 2 o'clock, OF the
wounds inflicted upon his person by Thorn
as Richie. Jr., in their recent recontre.
I learn the facts to be substantially as
follows: The quarrel had gone on in their
newspapers TO such an extent that Mr.
Peasants thought himself called upon to
bring the matter to crisis. He therefore
sent q request to Mr.. Richie to meet him
at a 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
q revolver of six barrels, two duelling pis-
tolls, and horseman's short sword, and re-
paired to the place designated, at the time
named.
Mr.. Peasants arrived with two or four
(here is doubt about this) common pistols
and sword cane. A friend Of Mr. Pleas
ants 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 be.
lieved Mr.. Peasants to be brave man.
Mr.. Richie replied that he once could have
done this; but now, Mr.. Peasants having
called him there, and not appearing him
self, he could not make such an acknowl-
edgment. Mr.. Peasants friend then in.
formed him that he presumed he would
have to fight. Mr.. Richie replied, very
well, he had come there to meet Mr.. Pleas
ants. The friend Of the latter left the spot
and went to his principal, who was not far
of. Soon after this. Mr. Peasants up.
peared approaching Mr. Richie, consider
ably in advance of the two friends who
had accompanied him to the spot. As he
approached at rapid pace. Mr. Richie
fired successfully his two duelling pistols,
resting each on his left arm, drawn up in an
angle for that purpose. He then presented
his revolver and fred either four or five
of its barrels. After he had fired first upon
Mr.. Peasants, the latter drew and fired
thrice without effect, all the time rushing
up to Mr.. Richie, and when near enough
he struck him with his sword cane. when
the scabbard few 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
antagonist. if not one from his short sword
One ball raked across the back of his left
hand, carrying away all the muscles and
tendons leading to the fingers-another
passed through the Reshy part Of his left
arm, half way up from the elbow to the
shoulder--another entered the left breas
and ranged round under the arm-a fourth
entered the left groin and proved mortal
The fifth wound was in the right thigh
either by ball or a thrust from the shor
sword, above alluded to. 1t is thought e
have been from the latter.
, So has ended the earthly career Of the
gifted, the high.minded, the generous, tht
whole souled John Hampden Peasants! Hi
loss to the community in which he moved
to the editorial fraternity Of which he wa!
ever sparkling, brilliant member, and to
; the thousands of his ever delighted ano
instructed readers will be most deeply felt
as hissanguinary exit will be sadly mourned
For many years he has been one of the
most vigorous, original and brilliant poiti
cal writer's in the country. He was mar
of strong impulses, and in the excitement
of the moment, sometimes committed edi.
torial errors, or did his opponents injustice
But that man lived not who would more
readily or amply atone for indiscretions OIL
injuries of this nature! He was the sou
of honorl can scarcely make myself be-
lieve that he is dead--that shall no more
have the pleasure and enjoyment of peru
sing the bright scin.illations of his genius
sparkling through the editorial columns o.
a Richmond paper! =:
nPWe wnnld resnectf,llvk invite the