Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-06-12
THE VIRGINIAN
Death OF Mr.. Terry.

announcement, IN the last number oil theI
."Virginian." will comprehend, at the frst|
glance. the melancholy meaning of its|
shrouded columns. Our most anxious fore
bodings have beenrealized. In the content
plation ofa result SO full Of unu,terable sor-|
row, we have no heart for the sad details II
but our readers, and the public at large,|
have right to expect some particulars of
the deplorable affair, and these we shall
give as faithfully and briefly as possible:
On the goth ult., this paper, at the re-
quest ofthe author, copied from the Re
publican communication signed Camp
bell" defending DR.. Saunders from stric-
lures upon his conduct, in the Convention,
upon the basis question, which appeared
in the Liberty Sentinel. Mr.. Terry, I'M
transferring the article in question to his
columns, as he had not published the edi /
torial article ofthe Sentinel to which it was
response, and as he did not concur with
"Campbell'' in his argument or conclu-
sions, thought it necessary to express his
own views upon the point under discus
sion. This he did in terms the most re-
spectful and courteous, as was his habit,
free from all personalities and ascription
of wrong motives. Dissent from the opin-
ions, or censure of the course, of apublic
servant upon an occasion Of the highest
State interest, could scarcely be couched
in language more mild and gentleman-hke,
consistently with proper conceptions of
the duty and freedom of the Press. ON
seeing this editorial, Dr.. Saunders wrote al
letter to the Republican, which was copied
into the Virginian of Thursday last, and !.
from Its personal character, naturally elici-
tied a reply Of a different temper from the
3article of the Goth ult. Ofthesctw produc-
lions 1t Is not our purpose to speak. They
lwerepublished side, by side and thereaders!
OF this paper have had the opportunity of
forming their own opinions-Our business
3is with the deplorable consequences.
On Thursday morning, about O'Clock, )!
MIR. Terry. whilst convcrsing with gen
Stleinan at the corner Of the Market House,
was approached by Mr.. James d. Saun-
4 ers. eldest son of Dr. Saunders, who|
asked, ais this Mr. Terry! On receiving
i IAN affirmative answer, Mr. Saunders struck
Mr.. Terry three blows on the head with al
walking cane. Mr. Terry was staggered
i by the severity Of the assault, but prompt
" rallied and drew an improved Colt PTS
5tol. AT this moment, Mr.. BIGGERs, one of
our most efficient Police Officers, from al
ghish sense of duty and at the imminen,
risk of his life, gallantly threw himself be-
tween the parties, and called in vain upon
the bystandcrs for assistance Mr. Terry's
First shot was without elfcct-Mr. Saun
gders, who was armed with two small self
cooking pistols, fired, the ball taking effect
Ein Mr.. Biggers' leg. Mr.. Terry discharged
IA second shot, which unfortunately struck
MIR. Biggers in the fleshy part of his arm,
passing between the bones and inHicting
IA severe wound. Thus disabled, and find
sng his efforts not seconded, Mr.. Biggers
stepped aside, leaving the space clear
! Mr.. Saunders fired a second time the ball
striking Mr.. Terry little below the chest
| ind passing into the stomach. After cach|
fire Mr.. Saunders threw his pistols at Mr.
Terry. Mr. Terry discharged his pistol, j
after receiving his antagonists fire, and!
with fatal effect, the ball striking Mr. Saun-
2dcr's abdomen, and passing out obliquely
to the left. The parties then closed, andl
MIR. Saunders wrcstcd the pistol from Mr..
Terry's hand, applied the muzzlc to-
Ibis head, and would have killed him in
7stantly, but that he was supposed not TO!
be acquainted with the mechanism of theI
flock. The parties were then separated
|and.supportcd by friends walked shortdi
Etance-Mr. Saunders to the chamber of Mes
srs. Mosby & Hocombe and Mr.. Terry tel
!thc residence ofDr. Blackiord. M. Terry's|
WOUND was, from the first, believed by him
self and feared by his friends to be mortal +
Mr.. Saunders. on the contrary, was at first (
not supposed to have received fatal In
Jury, but the symptoms became rapidly of +
|morc alarming character, and, after suffer /
|ng great deal ofpain, he expired about
> o'clock P. M. Mr.. Terry fingered until
Sunday at s o'clock, p. NJ
We have never witnessed SO deep and I
universal an interest as was manifested by /
the citizens of Lynchburg during the few !
days that Mr.. Terry fingered, an intercs, !
(which now surrounds, with all its holy and !
'consoling influences, his smittcn and desc
late household Hour after hour, as his I
waning strength rendered his condition.
more and more critical, solcitude theI
most painful pervadcd and seemed almost
to petrify the entire community and, when
't became known that his fate was incvita-
Ible, and bis end at hand, men unused to /
weep" awed by the solemnities ofthe scene
and yielding to the impulses of an ire
|prcssible sympathy, wept like children.-
|All that medical skill could do TO avert Al
fatal issue was promptly and unremittingly
that the most affectionate at
BENTON could offer to ease his sufferings
and brighten his latest moments on earth /
twas ever at hand-all that counsel and +
prayer could contribute to sustain him I'M
the dread hour of dissolution, and guide |
|and cheer him through "tbe dark valley
and shadow of Death" was freely and fer |
|vently bestowed.