Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-04
MURDER OF A VIRGINIA MlDsHIpMAN

nAdshlpnlah blucner r. APP, promising youth of
only seventeen, was lately murdered at Mazatlan un-
der most distressing circumstances. His parents are
both dead as we hear but his grandfather, Mr. Vincent
Tabb OF Lynehburg still survives, and, it stated is
overwhelmed with griet by the dreadful catastrophe
The following letter from his brother officers, James
Knox Walker, ESQ, his bro,herin-law, we find pub
lshed in the Lynchburg Virginan;-Enq.
On BOARD U. S. SHIP FALMOUTH" ,
Mazatlan March 7th 1850 {
To J. Knor Walker, Esq Washington:
ST-panfnlis the duty we have undertaken, and our
grief sincere when we you the death of
your brother in law. Butcher H. Tabb We mourn
over our loss, and time will roll over long before the
shock we have received at his sudden DEATH will be
erased from our memory He Was assassinated on the
night OF the 9TH inst, by party OF Mexicans--he
particulars nearly as follows
On the evening OF March 5h 1885, several officers of
this ship, (Bucher among others) in company with
party from her Britannia Maiesy's frgate the neon-
slant, attended concert, given by Mr. Herr German
pianist The party remained until the close of the per-
iormance-it was then half past II O'clock, P. M.-and
the party went down to the mole, to engage a shore
boat to take them Oft to the ship The British officers
went off in their own boat While some of our gentIe-
men were striking bargain with the boatman (Blucher
at that time known to be standing among his fends(
quarrel arose among the men, which ended in fight;
the oflcers OF course, walked away, leaving them to
themselves.
Alter the affair was over on going up from the MOLE
some OF the gentlemen found young messmae living
upon the ground, groanng in low and most piteous
tone He was carried to the ne;ghboring guard house.
and although every possible assistance rendered by
Dr Gunnel who was present, poor friend expired
IN the course OF a very few moments His death was
caused by very heavy blow the back of the head,
given with a stone or budgeon the skull was badly
fractured &c.
The body was taken Immediately to the ship and
properly prepared tor nerment, which took place on
the ensuing afternoon in the protestant cemetery of this
town. He attended to his grave by his friends
and brother officers together with those OIL B Ms
ship, the lnconstant The burial service conducted
by the chaplain OF that vessel-Eiis grave is next
10 that OF Z pit. Thomas R. Eden, Royal Navy, who
died IN command OF II. B. Ms ship, the Amphtrye,
January, ultmo.
Never before have felt the full force of the sem
tence 10 the midst OF life we are in death" At one
moment ne was with US, ull OF animation and Joyous
ness-at the next corpse deep gloom is uDon us
seat at our messta vacant and the merry voice
OF our young brother is heard no more The ndiqna
ton which this foul deed has reused in the hosos Of
every one, could hardly be restrained within nroner
bounds, by those whose duty it was to do So
And now OF duties as friends and brobars If
the deceased, is performed We would assure Won Of
our entire sympathy with yourself and lady, under this
great affection. '
We are sir very respectfully, your obedient servants
VIM. Men. ARMSTRONG, Mid'n.
EDW'D. r. SPEDDEN,
HENRY NJ STONE, Masters Mate
z. J, PORCHER, Capt.'s Clerk
u B; HARMANY, Midshpman.
JOHN T. BEATTY, 9"
Z. OsGOOD CARNES,