The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-12-06

From the cevington Qa) Peoples Friend
Ip1h~Aesas and Brutal Outrage.

ti Ht+ From the Cevingtou (Ia) Peoples Friend
a. ss,is IsfAm~us aaA Brutal Outrage.
Believing that notoriey the principal incentive 70
the brutal Attack upon Senator Hannegan, perPeiraed
q Il H. Sas By Ezekiel Mcdonald
Of Aca and in the hope that silence on our part would
prevent publicity being given it in newspaper prints we
fully severed version of the ARRAY. however found its
way into the columns OF last weeks peoples Press,
OF Cwfordsvile. calculated to prejudice the public mind
against Mr. Hannegan and screen the guilty assaiant
from the odium that will attach to him wherever his
rudianly conduct is understood, which, in connection
with the false soorng given The tale in different places
the duty imperative OF setting the matter right before the
public The certificates furnished for publication in this
weeks paper, BY those conversant with all the FACTS
atory Of the various items connected with the subject
as We understand them, and ebodying fairly the con-
current o. % % Hs,a as we a o.
We ask attention 10 the facts as set FORTH and request
MIR Bausman Of the Peoples Press and all other edi-
tors who may have been led into by his informant
if disposed to mee out justice to those concerned to no.
tee the aay fairly from the evidence here given, that
the uH may 81 b
character will inspire in the breast Of any and every CIV
iized people.
The two first afadavits which follow from three
the transaction; Mr. Bunn, Of New Orleans, the fourth
present. having left Immediately thereafter. He was
writing with his back to the parties at the tune did oc
cur and can of add nothing to what is here CIV
en- but refer to him for confirmation of the scene as
far as his observation and knowledge extended.
The other adayits are appended 70 show ths Conduct
turbance at the "Atca lock- and this part then taken
by Mr.. Hannegan, we have reason to believe from va
rious good authorities, Mcdonald. who assaulted him
behind few DAYS since has been apprized of at various
times and from different sources.
will be that he then and there saved the life Of
the ruf6an who for more than twelve months has been
secretly watching an opportunity to take his
OF the visit of the people Of Covington and vicinity
Atica on that occasion, we only repeat now what we
have explained heretofore, time and again-thatt was
strictly legal in its organization, and peaceful in Its pur-
poses. The people went in compliance with the call Of
the engineer and sub-superntendent, who had been
shamef1ly nsulted their authority rampled upon, and
two days previous The officers Of the law were with
themy had called them to assist if necessary in the
service Of legal process.
four and the result Of unexpected and temporary
excitement In this Mr. Hannegan did not participate,
but used every exeon in his power to que it, and to
such extent that he more than placed himself
before his friends who in the act of striking, incur
ring the greatest danger OF being struck by them in their
phensy He caught the club from the hands Of highly
excited man at the instant II was descending upon Nc
Donads head, who lay PROSTATE in the edge OF the water
with his face up and that blow, if given, must have
been instantly fatal He repestedy called out not to kill
another man who was advancing within few feet with
threatening outcres he called to Mr. Martin and others
These facts we present. verified by he adavits of eye
and witnesses OF high standing and unmpeachable
character can be found in the State of Indiana A
have OCCASION we believe supported him for any
office They will be sustained by twenty OF thirty more
gentlemen, not only in these statements, but in others
equally striking In view of all the facts, we will add
that the grand jury at its next session. will certainly fail
in the discharge Of duty, if Mcdonald is presented for
trial for the crime which he medated and attempted
Va amen amD 1tIroI v undnin rnrnlv
One other fact we will add to correct the false impress
sion Of the Peoples Press" There no crowd col
lected to nfict chastisement Mcdonald Immediately
after the recent outrage he remained pnmoested in the
same room for ten or fifteen minutes; during which time
agenteman with whom he was acquainted entered and
language, except declining to take his hand 1t only
when some one remarked that Mr.. Hannegan was COM
ing with gun, that he turned with every appearance Of
terror and asked for hidng-pace, which was
furnished in pity to his fears; and they great
that when he finally escaped by back alleys taking
reaching that place distant only about sixteen miles
leaving behind the horses and buggy with which he
Another falsehood in the statement of the Cawfods
vile paper is, that the first opportunity Mcdonald had
had to be revenged on Mr. Hannegan the day of
THIS this, o % Is well to many Of our citizens
occasions since the affair at Aca passed and repassed
IN the Streets the first time during the session Of our
circuit court, and within ten days of the
Attca.
The affdavits show that the assault was made by
Mcdonald coming unperceived behind Mr. Hannegan,
who sitting with his legs crossed and without
word of Previous alteration of warning, making
instant and violent attack by hurting him TO the floor
and unexpected and noiseless It, that Mr. Hanna
of Greencastle supposed that Mr. Hannegan had fallen
IN At, although not more than two PAGES from them.
Mcdonald is scarcely known beyond the limited cir
Gle in which he mOves-n full vigor of youthful man.
hood aged about 49, His obscurty renders necessary
full understanding of the enormty Of his baseness that
these facts be stated In of hem the question presses
the mind Why did he not possessing as he does phys
cal strength to justify seek satisfaction OF those who had
injured him, instead of cowadly attacking behind with
out warning, OF double his years. unequal prowess
and who had befriended him even to the saving of his
life! We forbear making further comment and invite to
aperusa of the annexed certificates:
STATE OF INDIANA, Fountains County s..
Personally appeared before the undersigned J. H. Nc
Cormack Justice OF the within and county
aforesaid James N Hanna, who being by duly sworn,
Io47 the said deponent the hotel B. Brown in
the town of Covngton; and that Edward A. Hannegan of
the county aforesaid, into the barroom said hotel
and sat down by and conversed with the said eeponen
upon matter Of private business that the
and said Hannegan agreed of said hotel
to said business that said deponent got stepped
the table to depose file Of ewspaper that he had been
examining that he Immediately heard violent and sud
den noise behind him when, upon turning round, he
the said Hannegan Frustrated upon the floor. upon his
formed the individual is named) was upon him. at
tempting to lnfict personal injury upon said Hanne-
gan that said Hanna pulled him off as he
Sgertained that was his object Said deponent when he
the thought that SAID Hannegan had been seized of an
aPoPectc f and labored under i'm until said
McDonad commenced kicking said Haunepan in the
lace, ~nen sad deponent pulled said Mcdonald off Said