Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1847-01-27

present. We at first determined not to 60
near them, IS We had supposed the
investigation long since closed, and re-
garded it's further continuance as perfect
humbug; but finally concluded to 60 and
make our excuse 10 . portion Of that Com
miitee who are worthy Of allrespect. This
we did the more readily, on account Of the
ingenious frankness and preposscssing de-
meanor Of the boy, who di charged his
mission with such urgency as to show that
he considered it incumbent upon him to
take Us along if possible.
Having excused ourself to Messrs
Symth and Leach, we had TUNED to leave;
when Mr.. Cocharn, the Chairman Of the
Committee arose, and addressing US with
that peculiar forced 5landness which dis
tipguishes the 'ssmiling Damned ualizn,"
so graphically portrayed BY Shakespeare,
gave US a pressing invitation 70 remain,
representing the 'sproprietH" S.. Sc.
Retiring to another part Of thu Hall, NC
were engaged in conversation until the
| Committee commenced the examination Of
.hsir witness, liz representative from
Keokuk ~.unty. They had just propound-
efa question to him, when we started to
leave the Hall, passing leisusely out Of the
bar, almost within arms length Of the wit
nesa, who was stationed in the ally and
within few feet Of the door Of the bar
Having reached the door Of the hall, raised
the latch, and got it half way open, our at
tention was attracted by slight noise in
the rear, accompanied with the words
"Mr. King" "Mr. King !" in moderate
tone Of voice. This was lrem the wing por-
ton Of the Committee, who thus manifested
their great anxiety to prevent the perpe-
traticn Of the outrage The tones, how
ever, were SO faint and even mild, that we
could not fully realize the cause, until we
looked round, just as we were stepping in.
to the door way. We then saw this wit
ness coming after u. at running speed,
but with almost noiseless step, brhnd;sh-
ing his fists in the most vehement man.
ner. Our attention was completely riviied
for the moment, by the grotesque specta-
Gle thus presented; and there was not time
at any rate to avail ourself of the only de-
feDsive weapon about us-a light clasp
knife before the enemy was down upon
US, showering upon our bead a volley Of
very fierce, but rather awkward blows, to
be aiRaed from battery Of such form
liable appearance. Those which told,
(to use the language addressed by the
Standard TO the wing portion Of the
Committee, in an article upon the '.tfreedom
Of The eadga," by way Of counselling III m
how to meet our weapons Of truth were
two directed against our forehead; one OF
which produced swelling, and the other
cut a hole through the skin, just above
the brow.
A "clinch" ensued; We sustained our
self TO the best Of cur ability against the
feroe ious assailant, but were soon borne
10 the floor under the dead weight Of about
220 pounds, to our 1876. At this crisis,
Mr.. Olms.ead, Of Clayton, who happened
to be in the hall and Mr.. Mills, who was
before the Committee as an attorney, came
to our assistance. The latter was the
first 10 lay hold ofthe assailant, and as luck
would have it, saved his head from blow
which wol!d have told with tremendous
force.
These gentlemen, with few other
democrats WIN happened TO be present.
not suspec.ing anything Of the kind, were
the last to observe the fray, bu: The first
to the rescue. After they had taken the
assailant off, there were number Of
wings on the ground to cry peace, peace.
He was armed with double barrelled pis-
tol, both barrels heavily loaded. This lie
attempted to draw, while our friends
were holding us, but, as one witness ties.
titles, alter we had drawn our knife. The
pistol was wrenched from his hand, in
the act Of drawing, by Doctor Matson.
Some wings, including portion Of the
committee, then confessed that they knew
Of his intention, but protested that they
had endeavored to dissuade him from lis
purpose. How true this may be, SO "a,
as ole or two are concerned, we cannot
say. We know that none Of them ever
apprized us Of the intended assault. No
such information was sent BY the boy
whom they sent to us; and Mr.. Cochran
did not intend that his countenance should
convey any such information when lie
pressed us 10 remain.
The above is plain, though but a par
tisl narrative Of facts, without coloring
we give it as the news Of The day, and