The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-11-08
Our st. Louis COrrcspe n d enoe.
ST LoUIS, WV', OCt' %, iofS'
Aufl Tragedy-Epe Men Shot-Smpposed In
of ~. rofn Lar R.r

AufM Tragedy-Fpe Men Shot-Smpposed In
sanity of the Perpetrator, &c., &c.
One of the most fearful tragedies that has ever
been enacted in our city took place last night, be-
tween eleven and twelve o'clock. at Barnum's
City Hotel AS all of our city papers give different,
and In many respects erroneous, statements of the
affair, have concluded to give you as correct a
version of it as have been able to obtain.
Two or three days since, two young Frenchmen,
calling themselves Counts Reynard and Gonzales
de Montesquiz, brothers, arrived in the evening
packet from Alton, and took lodgings at the City
Hotel, kept by MIR. Theron Barnum. They repre-
sented that they were recently from Chicago. and
were a trip Of pleasure and hunting in the West.
Nothing peculiar was observed In their deport-
ment, and they elected little attention.
Last night, however, as Mr.. I. n. Barnum, a
nephew OF the proprietor of the hotel, and MIR. },
]. Macomber, the steward OF the house, were re-
tlrng to rest, slight tap was heard on their cham
Der window, which looks out on long gallery, in
the rear Of the third story. Mr.. Barnum went to
the window, and raised the curtain, when Mr..
Macomber, VINO stood behind him, observed
man on the outside, with double barrelled gun
presented. Immediately the assassin fired, aud
both Of the assaulted fell A ball had entered the
left breast of Mr.. Barnum, below the heart,
and had ranged backward to the SPINE Mr.
Macomber had received two buckshot IN his
left arm, INJECTING a very severe injury. On
hearing the report Of the gun, Mr.. Albert Jones,
coachmaker, on Third street, near Pine, and whose
room was next to that Of the gentleman just
named, rushed into the gallery, and received
second fire from the assaant. "A ball struck him
in the forehead, and he fell dead. Two other gen
tlemen, lodging In the same range OF chambers,
Mr. M. ii. Henderson, of this city, and Capt W.
ID. Hubbell, Of Liberty, Mo-, who had also rushed
out, were also wounded, the former In the fore
heed, and the latter in the wrist, both severely,
and by buckshot.
The alarm immediately brought Mr.. Theron
Rarnum To The scene and the poce were Called in
to search for the murderer. 10 an entry leading
to the gallery, was found one of the Frerchmen,
fully dressed. He was seized by the officers as the
assassin, and started off to prison. Iu leaving the
house, however, the way led past the chamber OF
the brothers, when the young IN IN stopped, de-
cared his innocence, but said that hi. elder
brother, then In the chamber, was the guilty per-
son. He was directed ~ call on his brother TO
open the door He did so, and the call was re-
sponded 10. On perceivlng the officers, the elder
Montesquz rushed TO a stack Of guns In the cham
Der, and was followed by officer Flanagan, just as
the murderer was about TO hre on the crowd. A
desperate struggle ensued, apa Montesquz was
finally secured. Previous TO the two men being
removed to prison, Mr.. Macomber recognized the
elder as the one he had seen at the window.
Mr. Jones was found lying as he had fallen,
quite dead. He was young man universally
esteemed, and engaged In successful business.
Mr.. Barnum is yet alive, but no hope whatever is
| entertained for his recovery.
IL Is impossible TO divine the cause Of this sad
efiair, unless IL attributable TO insanity. When
mterogaied as to his guilt, the elder Montesqui,
admitted the killing, and said he had been directed
| by God 10 kill two men. The younger brother AS
since refused to converse on any subject
| ! further learn from gentleman of Alton, that
while stopping at a hotel in that place, few days
since, one of the brothers presenled loaded gun
at the landlord, as il to fire. The landlord seized
the gun, and beat his countship out OF the house
with poker.
Immense excitement exists in consequence Of
the affair just narrated, and fears are entertained
that Judge Lynch may be called upon TO decide
upon the alleged insanity OF the accused. The
people 1T ST LOUIS have so frequently been BAN.
boozlsd by this plea OF insanity, that IL IL scarcely
wonderful they should sometimes be found lacking
in faith, though 1t is to be hoped We may have no
more mobs through any cause. AReus.