Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1851-02-01
An Unfortunate Race,

In ii'SNoiJ VI VIZ fouIS wv WAY oNAS-
est of whom was killed on Sunday, has been
marked by, scenes of bloodshed, violence, and
fatal examinations, which are not exceeded in
the most sanguinary annals of the South and
West. The family, we understand, is 4 highly
respectable one, in Augusta, Georgia, where
the father and mother Of these unfortunate
young men still reside. Certainly we desire
not to add 4 single pang to their already heavy
ati1ictions, but there is, in the history OF their
sons Il moral, a lesson, which is too valuable to
be lost. MIR. Orran Byrd, who came to this city
some ten or twelve years ago, was, we believe,
the Oldest Of the brothers. He was q young
man of most pleasing manner and address,
of feminine, delicate aspect, and OF elegance
and refinement of dress and appearance. lie
would be the last man ina thousand who would
be selected as a man of desperate resolve, and,
when aroused, of most blood-thiuy character.
He had not been here long before he gave proof
of his qualities. \. row occurred at the Lake,
in which he shot a man dead, though it was
generally conceded that he did it in self-detence.
After this occurred, he Left New Orleans, and
was absent about q year. Shortly after his
return he was involved in q duel with a we'll
known citizen, who was regarded one OF the
best shots in the city. They went out, fired at
the word, and both were struck, Byrd but slight
ly, his antagonist dangerously. The femoral
artery Of the latter was severed, and it was only
by the greatest skill Of a most eminent sur
geon, that this gentleman was rescued from
death, though mutilated for life. The same
gentleman had, a few years before, been shot in
the face, and had his carotid artery severed,
which also was tied up by the same distinguish
ed surgeon. He afterwards killed the man
who thus wounded him. We next hear OF Mr..
Byrd as engaged in a desperate hand-to-hand
fight in the office of the United States Commits
sary in this city, with well known citizen, who
had previously killed several men, and who was
famed for his great proves. The result was,
that Byrd's antagonist was terrible cut and mn-
tIlated, and for some time he was believed to be
m%ortalIy wounded. Byrd escaped without in
jury.
At last, however, fortune turned against him.
About two years ago, an ARRAY occurred be-
tween him and a young lawyer Of this city, near
the corner of Camp and Common streets, in
which Byrd pursued his antagonist across the
street, striking him with a cane, until the latter
succeeded in disengaging his pistol, and shot
Byrd three times before he fell. He was NOR
tally wounded, and died almost Immediately.
We saw his corpse lying in an office at the cor
ner of Camp and Common streets, about one
hundred yards from where his brother lay yes
terday. His dedicate, handsome. feminine APP
pearance, served to add to the horror Of the
scene.
Such was the history Of Orran Byrd. We
state only facts, and we desire to be understood
as expressing 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
Baton Rouge, was an actor in a tragedy of fear
fnl Interest and agonizing character. Ayoung
man who was universally respected and below
ed, believed that Byrd had dishonored his name
and family in an affair Of the most delicate ma
ture, attacked him in his office, discharged a
brace of pistols at him, and then rushing into
an inner room was met BY Dr.. Byrd, who stab
bed him fatally in several places. This occur
renee difused universal sorrow through a
whole community, and involved a mostinterest
ing family in grief from which several men,
bcrs thereof found relief only in the grave. Dr..
Byrd left Baton Royce Immediately after this
and has not been seen in this State
since.
The last of the brothers, a small. delicate,
youthful looking person, was killed in the We
randa on Sunday afternoon, the particulars of
which will be found under another head. When
this y'onng mans brother was killed, he was
greatly affected by the occurrence, and we
hoped that 1t would be a lesson to him, which
would forever prevent his indulgence in a prac-
tee leading, as they ineritally do. in this city, 10 |
The sans tragica! resuh.
We state.these facts because they embody a
wholesome lesson to ouryoung men, not a few
Of whom are becoming TOO prone to encourage
ARRAYS III public resorts, the carrying Of dam
gerous weapons, and their too frequent use.
We sympathise most sincerely with the dis
family of these unfortunate young men,
and hope that a kind Providence will soften to
them this dreadful blow-DeAa.
~ A curious trial had just taken place in Eng
land. Aman attempted to kiss a married woman,
against her will, and had his nose bitten of. He
suit for damages. The jury, without hesita-
ton, acquitted her; and the chairman said, that if
any man attempted to kiss a woman against her
will, she bad a right TO bite off his nose, if she had a
fancy for SO doinssl @ i
To Prisoner, stand up are you guilty, o. not
guilty %
sFaith, do you think Ide be doing the work of
he jury for 'em when they're paid for it Let 'em
If ont y |