Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-07-16
From the Lynchburg Republican.
THE LIVINGSTON TRAGEDY

THE LIVINGSTON TRAGEDY.
After reading editorial article in the Charlottes-
vile Advocate, and communication in the same pa
persigned R. W., in reference TO this melancholy and
unfortunate occurrence, had determined to give a
detailed statement OF the transaction from it's COM
mencemen at Lynchburg, to its unfortunate termna-
ton at Lovngston, founded upon authority of the
unquestienable character. This however, shall for
bear to do, and conne our statement to such paris of
the transaction, as we regard misrepresented uninten
tionaly no doubt, in the editorial and communication
referred to.
II there any manifestation of hostile collision
at Charottesv lie, between Williams and young Nor
rlss by the mutual drawing OF pistols. by either of
them the father OF Mr.. Morrssis Ignorant of it, tho it
might have occurred without his know ledge. The
simple facts these: after Mr. Morriss and his
arrived in Charlottesville, they went from the Eagle
Tavern, where they had stopped, to the Monticello
House, where the Williams party had stopped, and
through friend ofDf. Williams, Mr.. M. requested
lDts rveW with him INTENDING TO demand peaceable
surrender OF his daughter before esortug to any her
means. This interview denied. He then sent
message 10 DR.. Williams by Mr.. E. H Il, demanding
forthwith and Internationally, the surrender OF
daughter, and that would end all matters between
them. This demand was also refused. Upon this re-
tnsal, Mr.. NORRIS and his returned to the Eagle
Hotel, when Mr.. NJ consulted counsel and invoked
the aid OF the civil authority in obtaining the possession
OF his daughter, hus in violation OF his rights tah
er, withheld Iom him. He obtained the aid ofthe civil
authority far, that the door of the in the Mon
ticello House, in which his daughter confined, .
unlocked and thrown open. On the opening OF the
door MIR. M entered the room took possession oil his
daughter she meeting him in the floor, and conducted
her to the Eagle Hotel, without resistance remon
stance on her part 1t during the whole of this time
there either threat attempted collision
by any person concerned, Mr.. M neither
heard it, He made none himself, and intended none.
and he has no recollection that his son made any
His determination was to get possession OF his daugh
ter but, to do so he could without violence except
in his own necessary self defence.
Before going to the Monticello House, the second
tme Mr. NJ, III order to impose much restraint upon
his feelings and those OF his son, possible under
Justice Of the Peace to put them both under recogni
zances 10 keep the peace in heavy penalty. This was
DONE but the Justice thought that there was as much
for putting the Williams under recognizances to
keep the peace Mr. Morris and his son, and bound
them also, in heavy recognizances
Ii Miss M. was "raplnS maniac" at Lovingston,
if she threatened to put end TO her existence,
stated by the Editor of the Advocate her father did
then, has any member of the family since detected
it. If she uttered the excl amatons there, in reference
to herlover ascribed her by the Editor of the Adj
vocate upon what information we do not know her
father did not hear Them That she uttered piercing
shrieks-hat she deeply distressed and sadly srck
that all those shreks and EXPLANATIONS grew out of
the fact that DR.. w. was wounded, no one who knew
the deep ardent and devoted affection which she bore
for her slaughtered brother, could believe.
1t is very true as stated by K. w., that when Mr..
Morriss his son and daughter, reached Lovingston,
they found the Wilsms's at The only Hsel in the
place and they had no alternative but to go on some
mile fur her. stop there. 1t being night and very
dark and the road very rough, and wihal, Mr. Morrss
and his daughter being both much weared, they deter
mined to bespeak apartments in part OF the house
where they would not be thrown in contact col son
with the w IS and remain a night and pursue their
journey early the next morning In order, more Ger
tanly, to avoid collision or contact with The WIS, Mr.
M. requested supper to be furnished him. his son and
daughter, in his own room, which promised and he
exhorted his not to 60 10 the public supper table,
or in any manner come in contact with or enter into
collision with the WIS, which he solemny promised he
would not do.
Some short time after Mir. Ms arrival, and while he
and his son were sitting In their rom, Mr.. Samuel Il.
Shelton, who had accompanied them from Lovingston
10 Charlottesville, came into the and invited
young Mr.. M. TO walk with him, which Mr.. M. re-
monsraed against for fear that it might lead to
difficulty but on the assurance OF Mr. S. that 70 hing
OF hostile character intended, and of his son that
he would avoid anything OF the kind, Mr. M waved
his Objection and urged his son 10 return speedily
After Mr. S. and young M. left the room Mr. NJ did
not know where they went what occurred, he re-
naming in his room, until he heard the discharges OF
the pistols; when, fearing the worst he rushed down
stairs and near the foot OF the ars met his son. NOR
tally wounded, casped him in his aims, lad down with
him the floor and there held him until some time at
ter lie expired.
What induced Young MIR. M to 90 to the public
supper table, or what occurred there to produce the
collision which resulted disaslrously Mr.. M does
know and cannot say except so far as he can gath
er from the conflicting statements OF those who were
present and and heard what TRANSFERRED. His son,
the short space OF time which was lett, between the
receiving of his wound and his DEATH told Mr.. Morris.
that when he took his at the table, he found, with
designing it, that he had taken hisseat opposite Ro.
Williams who gave him an Insulting scowl That, m
mediatey on percsvng TINS, he threw his plate in W.
face, when the three Williamss and I'd. Hill who had
accompanied them, from their seats, and seemed
to be drawing their pistols. That he as quick as he
could drew his also, and leveed il at Robert w ams
but the cap did not explode. About the same time,
four pistols fired at him, neither Of VIII oh eok
effect and he Immediately fired at Hill and DR.. l.. ID.
w ams, both OF which he thought took effect. That
supposng the afray err he started up stas end
on his way, shot behind from the opposite side Of
the table in the room by Robert Williams, which look
effect and was mortal Tnis the dying statement
of the son to the iahera that had deceived
and never told an unlruth that father the atler
directs state. OF the truth OF this statement mace
under circumstances so solemn and impressive Mi
NJ does not dusbt; does any one who knew
young M doubt that he died fully impressed with the
| belief that Ro Williams offered HIM the insult OF
which hs complained, and that he received his death 81