Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-09-15
suNBuF

My anxiety was now Of the most painful
nature 10 intercept any letters which nigh
be in the post office, and with as much calm
ness as could assume asked him TO drive
directly 10 the post office; he did so. | ask
ed for letters for the name of Wise; the pos
the name Of Wallenstein, saying, "do you
want these your wife has been asking fol
this name" took the letters, opened them
read them partly, hastily, and under more
excitement than | ever before experienced
| put them in my pocket, started up the
street wild with despair at the consciousness
Of my utter ruin -phrenzied, without know
ing what should do. | passed up Main
street until discovered that the backstrap OF
my pantaoons was bursted off, and having
no suspenders, hurried across the street TO
tailor shop, where was acquainted and
had il sewed on. As crossed the street OBJ
liquely, saw Hart sitting in front OF Over
TOMS Hotel; and from the contents OF the
letters and from what knew of the char
acter of the man for desperation, thought !
say that collision of a personal nature was
inevitable. could not mistake the object
of his being here | knew his manner OF 60
ing armed, and strength. knew that if
approached him on Main street, he could see
me long before could get up TO him, and
have decided advantage over me in the
contest which saw and knew was inevila-
bic; this advantage, under the circumstances,
did not feel that Justice or honor required
me 10 give him therefore passed along
the back way around MIS-. Burr's and around
Overtons. As soon as | reached the front
door of the hotel, Hart looked me full in the
face. presented my pistol, sprang upon the
pavement and fired upon him. | am aware
that a witness has stated that | shot while
standing upon the door sill but in this he is
mistaken, as distinctly recolect that | was
on the pavement and Hart looking me full in
the face when fired, believed he was not
hurt, and sprang forward and struck him
over the head several times with the pistol
vantage of me; and expecting TO receive the
fire of his pistol every moment, drew my
knife, and in manner of which have no
distinct recollection, pursued the fight until |
conceived it out of his power to harm me.
From the time opened the letters at the
Pos-ofiice in this place until the fatal en-
counter was passed, my mind was in the
greatest possible excitement. The magni-
iudc Of my injury, and the fact that my de-
stroyer was Unexpectedly so near me, ready
10 wreak a further vengeance upon myself,
filled me with sentiments of horror and dis
trcss which | have 10 power 10 describe.
recollect, during the time which interviewed
after reading the letters in the Post Office,
and the catastrophe, but few things. The
one thought of my wrongs, my enemy, and
the inevitable necessity for the collision
which had TO en.ue, inflated my mind and
drove me furiously along. After the fatal
encounter, several persons asked me why
did it | answered them as well as recol-
lect, in substance, that he had injured me
more than had injured him-l still think
so. had rather he had slain me than treat
ed me as he did; did not feel that could
live with safety under his power. A witness
has stated that said in my excitement 81
came here 10 kill him." may have so said,
but am very certain that when left 81. Louis,
| had no idea of seeing Hart in Palmyra, nor
did suspect he was here until the conversa-
tion with the gentleman driving the hack,
The foregoing is a full statement of all
the important and material facts deemed me-
cessary. have omitted the names of indi-
vduals when | could, out of kindness to
them. ... ...