Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-03-19
The Late Fight between MIR. Richie and
EIr. RlenSnnfs.

The following account from the Baltimore Patriot
(Whig paper puts a much more favorable construc-
ton upon this sad affair far regards Mr.. Rtchie
and shows that he not only not The aggreSsor,
but that, under the circumstances, he could not well
have done otherwise
| learn the facts to be substantially as follows
The quarrel had gone in their newspapers TO such
extent that Mr.. Peasants thought himself called
upon to bring the matter to a crisis. He therefore
request to Mr.. Richie meet him at a speci-
CITED place and hour 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 be
settled, and in that way.
Mr.. Richie then prepared himself with revolver
Of six barrels, two duelling pistols, and horsemans
short sword and repaired to the place designated at
the time named.
Mr.. Peasants, who had not arrived, wore two Cor
four-there is doubt about this) pistols and
sword-cane. friend of Mr. Peasants approached
Mr.. Richie, and said to him. that he thought the diff
icuty might be settled if the latter would do one
thing. and that was to acknowede that he believed
Mr.. Peasants to be a brave man. Mr.. Richie re-
piled that he could have done this but now, Mr.
Peasants having called him there and not appearing
himself, he could not make such an acknowledgment.
Mr.. Peasants friend then informed him that he pre-
sumed he would have TO fight. Mr.. Richie replied,
very well, he had come there to meet Mr.. Peasants.
The friend of the latter left the spot and went to his
principal, who was not far off, Soon after this, Mr.
Peasants appeared approaching Mr. Richie, consid-
erably in advance of the two friends who had ac-
companed him to the spot As he approached at
rapid pace, Mr. Richie fired successfully his two du-
cling pistols. resting each on his left ARM drawn up
in angle for that purpose. He then presented his
revolver, and fired either four or five of its barrels
After he had fired first upon Mr.. Peasants the latter
drew and fred thrice without effect all the time rushing
up to Mr. Ritchie and when enough he struck him
with his sword cane, when the scabbard flew 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 Of his mouth, cut
ting upwards 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 al the muscles and
endons leading to the fingers another passed through
the eshy part of his left arm half way up from the
elbow TO the shoulder another entered the left breast
and ranged under the fourth entered the left
groin and proved fatal The fifth wound was in the
right thigh either by ball thrust from the short
sword
The Richmond Times Of Saturday the 2Sth ult, says
An inquest holden yesterday over the body of j. H.
peasants, deceased before Coroner Robert T. Wick
err the examination before the Jury occupying near
ly the whole day. Their verdict was, that Thomas
RITcHIE, Jr guilty of the murder of Peasants in
mutual combat had between them on the 25,h inst,
and that Peter JEFFERSON Archer, Washington Green
hoc and William Scott Present, aiding and abet-
ting in said combat and in said murder The Coroner
has issued his warrant to arrest said parties found gull
ty by the inquisiton.