Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-07-11
Tn. Dreadful Tragedy at Nelson Court House.

The Dreadful Tragedy ut Nelson Court House.
The last Charlottesville Advocate gives the following par
tculars of the bloody tragedy which occurred at Nelson
Court House. brief of which published few
days since 49,
Mr. Editor In order that your readers may have true
account occurrence, which has, through The insru
mentality Strangers made village peaceful In ITSELF the
of another fatal encontre will proceed TO detail The
material facts:
L D. Williams of Amherst his Two younger brothers, and
Mr. E. j. Hill arrived here in company win MISS Aurrs
daughter Of Richard G. Morris Esq., of Amherst on their
way North the marriage OF the Dr. and Miss
Morris Mr. Morris being violently opposed to the match
Some three utter the first party left Mr. Morris
rived in hot pursut-accompnnied by his son Richard.
We learn that he overlook the party in Charlottesville II
seems all parties apprchended bound over IN small PEN
allies and Mr.. NJ obtained possession of his daughter
The Williams party started back and reached here about
Highland Mr. Morris arrived in about half an hour after
and put up at the same house, MIR. McCan's
The Wiilianss informed the landlord that they did
wish To 90 to the public table, Mr.. Nj. be there
They were informed that Morris had ordered supper In his
room and requested 10 down 10 the tabe-and they
went accordingly. Young Mr. Norris it seems left his fa
,hers roum went Coffee House got small julep and
returned the Iavern and instead Of going TO his fathers
room and spite of request 10 there he went To the
public table, which there were some 10 or more persons
several of whom were ladies' took his seat directly OPP
posite Dr. Williams nis WIS doubtless accdent and in
stead of ting commenced staring him in the face. Dr. W.
continued sip his coffee, when ~ The CONSERVATION Of all
Morris seized plute and threw it violently In Or. VIII
loms face, the time springng up with drawn ps
followed suit The CONFUSION ana ALARM
the Shirt Ks of the ladies' and shouts OF the men, the rush of
chairs and crash of ware cannu be described The evidence
was thai Mr. Morris first barrel did not go Off, the cap ey
podog The Witnesses think that he and Dr. W. exchanged
Shots But by whom any of the parties shot, is
matter of conjecture except Dr. w. He was shot in the
barrnom by young Morris. For there general rush
nm stairs from the dining Dr. W. ahead, Morris after
AID others following There had been loud shout that
| they should clear the dining-room
Ii supposed there from five TO seven shots in the
and others positive Two up stairs Hill was
certainly shot the dining on the right side about The
lower part of his vest through which the ball passed.
Young Morris caught by some one In the bar room as
ne was falling taken up stairs and died almost instantly
He was shot from behind the ball entering near the spne
His corpse lett here Wednesday evening for Maj. Yam
cey's Dr. Williams and Hill are both here dangerously
wounded Hopes entertained that both may recover
The prospect for Dr. WIS recovery is most atterns Capt
Morris was his with his daughter when the ARRAY
commenced, and reached Inc oar-room oy III uhe W IT,
All The living persons except Capt Morris, were immed
aev arrested at The instance of Justice by special
| stable, without warrant. -,
Their trial off on Wednesday before Col jas Dill
lard John Horsby and Wilson Peters, Esq., and after hear
ing The evidence of host of witnesses, who gave eslo-
nv with hardly shadow OF variance all were promptly Obs
charged who present. he two younger Wilams and
the warrant dismissed Hill and Dr. Williams against
whom also Tie process issued lhiS result "ao
| from the evidence ;,
The parties could have been in place halt an hour
before these awful results followed Hill was doubtless shot
nv Morris and he thinks Morris sho, by him in the
dnin though Mr. Morris says his son told hl lhat
Robert Williams shut him. Circumstances render ooh
statements doubtful if not improbable 80
a happy say that though the dining room was nlI OF
dies gentlemen, and though was night and persons
passing about the tavern porch and street, fortunately
no one else was injured.
The wounded have several friends and relations, and be-
aides our vn their family physician Dr. Jno Patterson OF
Iynchhnre with thcm and have secured every attention
| that soIiciIude and kindness can suggest
The Williams intended under advice, 10 leave lot nome
Immediately after supper The evidence conclusive o.
young Mr.. Morris intention have difficulty at some
tim=, If not IN II night
have not heart speak of Capt Morris anguish and
almost frenzy that ngh-nor Of his saddened and mean
chuy and unhappy OF mind next m,rnng-nor Yet o
the piercing shrks Willing, and unuerable agony Of
unhappy daughter. Her father started home the mex
morning. his daughter lying down in the carriage, the Pic
lurr of the deepest suffering and broken heart
Hills widowed mother by his sde- earn that the NJ
most misery been thus visited both families Old Mr.
Williams is invalid and several Of his family ILL., The
shock AT Morris any may imagine, and not over
estimate what heard was its effect.
lave thus vored guided sey By the evidence and
detailing IT, give the received version Of that aw
lu occurrence expressing opinion 10 any thing tina
happened before the .h laying blame at The dvor o
any one. Yours, &C., H. w.