Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-07-17
From he Lynch5ng Republican, Juiy r.
The EOvinsstOn Tragedy.

After reading an editorial article in the
Charlottesville Advocate, ard commu-
nication in the samepaper signed r. W."
IN reference TO this melancholy and unlor.
tunate occurrence, we had determined to
give "A detailed statement Of the trunsac-
ton from lis commencement at Lynchburg,
TO lis unfortunate termination at Loving
ston, founded upon authority Of the most
upqucstonablc character This, howev-
or, we shall forbear to do, ard confine
our statement to such parts OF the transac-
ton, as we regard misreprescnted, unin-
tenlionally no doubt, in the editorial and
communication referred to.
If there was any manifestation Of hos
tile collision at Charlottesville, between
Williams and young Morriss, by the mutu-
al drawing ofpistols, or by either of them,
the father OF Mr.. Morriss is ignorant of it,
though il might have occurred without his
kno 'Sledge. The simple facts are these :
alter Mr.. Morriss and his son arrived in
Charlottesville, they went from the Eagle
Tavern, whore they had stopped, to the
Monticello House where the Williams
party had stopped, and through a friend of
DIR. Williams, Mr.. NJ. requested an inter
view with him, intending to demand a
peaccablc surrender of his daughter before
reseriing 10 any other means. This inter
view WAS denied. He then sent a mes
sage to Dr.. Williams by Mr. L. Hill, De,
handing forthwith and Internationally the
surrender OF his daughter, and that would
end all matters between them This de.
mand was also, refused. Upon this rcfu
s7i, Mr.. Morriss ard his son returned 10
the Eagle Hotel, when Mr.. NJ. consulted
counsel and invoked the aid ofthe civil
authority in obtaining the possession Of his
daughter, thus, in violation Of lis rights rs
a tather, withheld from him. lie obtained
the aid of the civil authority so far, that
the door of the room in the Monticello
House, IN which his daughter was coniin-
cd, was unlocked and thrown open. On
the opening of the door Mr.. NJ. entered
the room, took possession Of his daughter,
she meeting him in the floor, and conduct
cd her to the Eagle Hotel, without resist.
unce or remonstrance on her part. Ifdu-
ring the whole Of this time, there was a.
ther menace or threat or attempted coils
ION by any person concerned, Mr.. NJ mel
ther saw or heard it. Ec made none him.
sell ana intended none, and he has no re-
eoileeion that his son made any. His de-
termination was to get possession of his
daughter, but, to do so ifhe could wirhon,
defence. seii'
Before going to the Monticell Hons,
the second time, Mr.. NJ in order 10 i'm.
pose esmuch restraint upon his own frci.
inys and those Of his son as possible. nndn,
circumstances SO trying and cxaspera,ing
proposed TO Justice of the Peace 10 nn,
them both under recosnizances to keep the
pence IN heavy penalty. This was done,
haf. the Justice thought. that there was
as much reason for putting the Williams
nader recognizances TO keep the peace as
Ir. Morris and lis son, and bound them
also, in heavy rcoognizances.
II Miss. NJ. was ''rarag mazfac" at
Loviagston. or If she, Threatened to put
amend 10 her existence as stated by The
editor Of the Advocate. her father did not
then, nor has any member of the family
since detected it. Ifshe uttered the excla
nation ncrc, in reference 10 her lover"
ascribed 10 her by the Editor of,hc Advo
cate, upon what information we do not
know---her father did not hear thcn.-
That she uttered piercing shrieks-
that she was deeply dis,rc.sed and sadly
stricken, was natural enough, and is ex-
tremely probable, Iutthat all,hcse shrieks
and exc!amations grew on; Of the fact.