New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-02-13
A Fearful History,


tory Of the brothers Byrd, one of whom was re-
Gently killed at the Verandsh in that city, in &
difficulty involving the reputation of lady:
The history OF the young Byrds, the youngest
of whom was killed On Sunday, has been marked
by scenes OF bloodshed, violence and fatal termi.
nation, which arc not exceeded in the most san
culinary annals Of the South and West. The
family, we understand, is highly respectable one
in Augusta, Georgia, where the father and mother
of these unfortunate young men still reside
Certainly we desire not to add single pang to
their already heavy Affections bat there is in the
history Of their sons moral, lesson, which is too
valuable to be lost
MIR. Orran Byrd, VIII came to this city some
ten or twelve years ago, was, we believe, the
Oldest of the brothers. He was a young man of
most pleasing manners and address of feminine,
delicate aspect, and of elegance and refinement
of dress and appearance. He would be the last
man in a thousand who would be selected as a
man Of desperate resolve, and when aroused, Of
most blood. thirsty character. He had not been
here long before he gave proof of his qualities. A
row occurred at the Lake, in which he shot m an
dead though it was generally conceded that he
did il in selEdefense. After this occurrence, he
left New Orleans, and was absent about year.
Shortly after his return he was involved in duel
with d well known citizen, who was regarded as
one of the best shots Of the city. They went out,
fred at the word, and both were struck, Byrd but
slightly, his antagonist dangerously. The temoral
artery OF the latter was severed, ana 1t was only
By the greatest skill of most eminent surgeons,
that this gentleman was rescued from death,
though mutated for life The same gentleman
bad few years before been shot in the face,
and bis carotid artery severed, which also was
tied up by the distinguished surgeon. He
afterwhrd killed the man who thus wounded him.
We next hear Of Mr.. Byrd as engaged in a des-
perate hand.to hand fight in the Office of the uni.
Tod in ~
known citizen, who had previously killed several
men, and who was famed for his great prOwess.-
The result was, that Byrd's antagonist was terri
bly, cut and mutilated, and for some time he was
believed to be mortay wounded. Byrd escaped
without injury.
At last, however, fortune turned against him.
About two years ago, an ARRAY occurred between
him aEd young lawyer OF this city, near the
corner of Camp and Common SITS, in which Byrd
pursued his antagonist the street, striking
him with a cane, until the latter succeeded in dis
engaging mis- pistol, and shot Byrd three times
be'ore he fell. He was MORALLY wounded and
died almost imra ediately. We saw his corpse
lying in an Office at the corner Of Camp and Com
mon. sts., about one hundred yards from where
his brother lay yesterday. His delicate, hand
some, feminine appearance, served to add to the
horrors of the scene.
Such was the history of Oran Byrd We state
only facts, and we desire to be understood as
pressing no opinion upon the differences which
may be drawn from them.
About one year after the death of Orran Byrd,
his brother, DR.. Byrd, then a resident Of B atom
Rouge, was an actor in tragedy of fearful in.
terest and agonizing character. A young man
who was universally respected and beloved be-
lieving that Byrd had dishOnored his name and
family in an affair of the most delicate nature,
attacked him in his Office, discharged brace of
pistols at him. and then rushing into an inner
room was met by Dr. Byrd who stabbed him fs
tally in several places. This occurrence diifused
universal sorrow through whole community,
and involved a most interesting family In brief,
from which several members thereof found relief
only in the grave. DR.. Byrd left Baton Rouge
Immediately after the occurrence, aud has not
been in this State since.
We state these facts because they embody
wholesome lesson to our young men, not few Of
whom are becoming too prone to encourage ARRAYS
in public resorts, the carrying of dangerous wea-
pons, and their too frequent use. We sympathise
most sincerely with the distressed family Of those
unfortunate young men, and hope that kind Proyi-
dence will soften TO them this dreadful blow
The last of the brothers, small, delicate,
youthful looking person was killed in the Veran-
dab on Sunday afternoon, the particulars OF which
will be found under another head. When this
Young mans brother was killed, he was greatly
affected by the occurrence, and we hoped it would
be lesson to him, which would forever prevent
bis indulgence in practices leading, as they inc
vitaby do, in this city, to the same tragcal result