The New York herald., 1851-10-18
The Late Tragedy at TascaIoosa. Ala.
IEronl the Tuacslons Mnnitar Oct

[from the fuscsloosa Monitor, Oct
IL will be recollectedthat some time In April last,
a difficulty occurred between Mr.. Frederick p. Hall
and Mr. John Kirby, both old and respected citi-
zens Of this county. The result Of that difficulty
was that Hall wounded Kirby (who was unarmsd ct
the .ie), and injured him so badly that the life Of
the latter was for long time despaired Of Hall
was held to bail for his appearance at the present
term OF the court and on Tuesday evening the case
was called for trial A continuance was asked Tor
by tie defendants counsel and, on the afidavit Of
Hall, II was granted by the Judge. At this moment
Mr.. Kirby, who was sitting within the bar, rose
and asked permission TO address the court. Judge
Walker remarked TO him that 1t was unnecessary,
and Kirby then sat down, but was seen immediately
TO attempt to draw pistol from his pocket, risnE
from his chair at the same time. MIR. Newton l..
Whitfield, who was standing near, attempted 10 pre-
vent the drawing Of the pistol, and in the struggle
which ensued, the pistol vas fred, the contents-a
largs ball passing through the higher part Of Kirby
thigh, ranging down and coming out on the log,
severing the femora artery and causing his death In
sfew minutes. Such was the force Of the ball. that
after passing through the thigh OF Kirby, 1t pene
trated Whitheds leg, little below the knee, slss
cutting artery and inhicting most painful, but
we sincerely hope, and it is believed, not dangerous
wound.
Kirby Immediately fell from his chair, and one Of
bis cons, who was standing very near him, and vne
thought, as IL Is supposed that his father was snot
by Hall, fred pistol at the latter, The ball OF which
pierced the back Of chair, grared the foot Oh ems
q the jurymen who were in the box, and rebounded
from the wall upon the fleor Judge Walker, whe
vas still upon the bench. supposing hrby TO nave
been shot By Hall, commsrded the sheriff TO arrest
him vben fall approached the Judge and offered
his pistol-the Judge asking him II he shot that
mar. 10 vbeb he replied, he did not, that his pis
,oI as siiIl loaded Hall was unhurt, and placed
b,rsslf RI the custody Of the Sheriff
S.ch l. a hurried, but, we believe, impartial ae-
.ourt Of this most deplorsble affair OF course
mocI excitement and confusion prevailed, and
many contradictory reports were In circulation.
Considering the crowded state Of the courtroom at
the moment, IL isstrange that more lives we're rot
Lost. We have never witnessed q more harro az
scene than the courthouse presented few moments
after the occurrence The lifsless body OF Kirby,
stifening into the rigidty Of death, aud almost
floating in bis own blood, lay there stark and std
In the very centre OF the temple Of Justice 500,
sobbiDg as though his heart would burst bent over
the dead body OF the father. IL was, rieed, .
soul narrowing scene. Such q one we hope never
&c witness again
The most intense anxiety was felt ey all our citi
zens to learn the extent of the danger OF Mr. Whit
fields wound As IL was ATTENDED with the most
profuse bleeding, many feared that IL would prove
moral. We are gratiied, however, TO be sble TO
state upon the authority Of his ply sicians tbst the
wound, although most severe and painful one, n
not considered dangerous. Mr.. Whitfield ~as &C
tuated by the most prsiscworthy motives. He vas
Influenced solely BY desire 70 prevent blcodshsa;
aud be ins on the meet friendly terms with krty,
he hoped 70 prevail him 10 desist from his tern
bic purpose In the attempt he came near losing
his own life The proceedings OF the court were, Il
course, brought 10 en- sbrupt close for the day BY
the occurrence, in its presspee, Of such terrible
tragedy.