Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1851-02-20

2
pears that there had been presi-
ous misunderstanding between e
vou1g man by the name OF Ewing
ton and young Theodore Byrd, a
deputy constable in Judge Winer's
court, and late an officer in Col.
Wheate's regiment in the Cuban Ex-
petition. The difficulty is said to
have originated in an affair Of delica-
cy, involving the reputation oi a "a
dy. They met on Sunday ~ sIo
Veranda, and it is geneIa.Iy du-
mitted that Byrd struck Evlng,on'
when they cl;nched and scuf1ed.I
.Dvr;no he scuf1s it was observed
that -fbe blood was gushing from
Rvrd,s side; they were pulled apart,
when Byrd fell and died in lew
n;nntes. Then it was discovered
thai he had received two fatal stabs
in the side, or breast, with medium
sized bowie knife. Evington surren-
dered himself and was conveyed to
Jail. The Delta gives the following
fearful history OF the brothers OF
Byrd.
The history Of the young Byrds,
the youngest of whom was killed on
Sunday, has been marked by scenes
of bloodshed, violence, and fatal ter
mination, which are not exceeded by
the most sanguinary annals of the
South and West. The family, we
understand, is a highly respectable
one, in Augusta, Georgia. where the
father and mother Of these unfortu-
nate young men still reside. Ger
tainIy we do not desire TO add a sin
ole pang to their already heavy at
fictions, bul there is in the history OF
their sons a moral, lesson, which is
too valuable 10 be lost. Mr.. Orran
Byrd, who came to this city some
ten or twelve years ago, was, we be-
lieve, the oldest of the brothers. He
was a young man of most pleasing
manners and address-of femenine,
delicate aspect, and Of elegance and
refinement Of dress and appearance.
He would have been 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 quail
ties. A row occurred at the Lake,
in which he shot man dead, though
it was generally conceded that he
done it in self-defence.
After this occurrence, he left New
Orleans, and was absent about year.
Shortly after his return he was in
voIved in a duel with a well known
citizen, who was regarded as one OF
the best shots in the city. They
went out, fired at the word, and both
were struck, Byrd but slightly, his
antagonist dangerously. The femo'
raj artery of the latter was severed,
and it was only by the greatest skill
Of our most eminent surgeons, that
this gentleman was rescued from
death, though mutilated for lile.-
The sans gentleman had, a lew
wears before, been shot in the face,
and had his carotid artery severed,
which also was tied up by the same
distinguished surgeon. He alter
wards killed the man that thus woun-
ded him. We next hear of Mr..
Byrd as engaged in a desperate
hand-to-hand fight in the Office ol
The United States Commissary in
this city, with a well known citizen,
who had previously killed several
men, and who was famed for his
great prowess. The result was that
Byrd's antagonist was terribly cut
and muiilated, and for some time he
was believed to be morially woun-
ded. Byrd escaped without injury.
At last, however, fortune turned
against him. About two years ago,
an affray occurred between him and a
young lawyer of this city, near the
corner of Camp and Common streets,
in which Byrd pursued his antago-
mist across the street, striking him
with a cane, until the latter succeed
ed in disengaging his pistol, and
shot Byrd three times before he fell.
He was mortally wounded, and died
most Immediately. We saw his
corpse lying in an Office at the cor
nsr OF Camp and Common streets,
about one hundred yards from where
his brother lay yesterday. His del
icate, handsome, feminine appear
ance. served to add 10 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 inlerences which
may be drawn from him.
About year after the death of Or
ran Byrd, his brother, DIR. Byrd,
then a resident of Baton Rouge,
was an actor in a tragedy of fearful
interest and agonizing character. A
young nan who was universally re-
spected and beloved, believing that