Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-14
Close Of the Lynchbrg Tragedy-Death Of Mr..
TerYU

Close of the Lynchburg 1rdgedy-De9h OF Mr..
Terry
| The Lynchburg Virginian of Thursday the
| 10Th inst. comes to us with those deep dark
lines which so strikingy indicate that paper
bears mournful intelligence. We need not say
that the occasion for these insignia of grief was
the death of Mr.. Terry the editor of that journal.
| In the article making the sad announcement, we
find the following account of Mr.. Terry's combat
with Mr. Saunders, and of the circumstances that
preceded and followed it:
On the 26h ult. this paper at the request OF The au
| thor. copied from the Republican a communication
signed Campbell, defending Dr. Saunders from sric-
lures upon his conduct in the Convention upon the ba
sis question: which appeared in the Liberty Sentinel
Mr. Terry in transferring the article i'll question to MS
columns, he had not published the editorial article OF
the Sentinel to which it response and as he did
not concur with Campbell in his argument or concu
sions thought necessary to express his own views up
| on the point under discussion. This he did in terms
the most respectful and courteous, was his habit,
free from all personalities and ascrphon OF wrong mo-
| tves. Dissent from the opinions or censure OF the
! course Of public servant upon an occasion OF the
highest State interest, could scarcely be couched In Ian
guage more mild and genteman-like, consistently with
proper conceptions OF the duty and freedom OF the press
On seeing this editorial, Dr. Saunders wrote letter to
| the Republican, which copied into the Virgnian
of Thursday last and, from its personal character
urnaIly elected reply OF different temper from the
article of the 26th ut. Of these two productions it is
not our purpose to speak, They were published side
by side and the readers of this paper have had the p
portunity of forming their own opnonsour business is
with the deplorabe consequences
| On Thursday morning, about o'clock, Mr.. Terry,
whilst conversing with gentleman at the corner OF the
Market House, was approached by Mr.. Jas D. Saun-
ders, eldest of DR.. Saunders who asked, SIS this
Mr.. Terry? On receiving an affirmative answer, Mr..
Saunders struck Mr.. Terry three blows the head
with walking cane. Mr.. Terry was staggered by the
severity OF the assault but promptly rallied and drew
improved Colt pistol At this moment, Mr.. Biggers,
one of our most efficient Police officers from high
sense of duty and at the imminent risk Of his iie GAL
antly threw himself between the parties and called
vain upon the bystanders for assistance Mr.. Terrys
armed with two small sefcocking pistols, fired, the
ball taking effect in Mr.. Biggers leg Mr. Terry dis
charged second shot, which unfortunately struck Mr.
Biggers in the fesy part Of his ARM passing between
the bones and nhictng severe wound. Thus disabled
and finding his efforts not seconded Mr. Bggers step
ped asde leaving the space clear. Mr. Saunders fired
second time, the ball striking Mr. Terry little below
the chest and passing into the stomach. After each
fire, Mr. Saunders threw his pistols at Mr.. T. Mr. Terry
discharged his pistol after receiving his antagonists fire.
and with fatal effect the ball striking Mr. Saunders abb
domen, and passing obliquely to the left The par
ties then closed, and Mr.. Saunders wresed the pistol
| from Mr.. Terry's hand, applied the muzze to his
head, and would have killed him instantly, but that
he was supposed not to be acquainted with the me.
Grated and supported by friends walked a short dis
tance-Mr. Saunders to the chamber of Messrs. Mosby
& Holcombe, and Mr.. Terry to the residence Of Dr..
Backord. Mr. Terrys wound was, from the first, be-
eved by himself and feared by his friends be mortal
Mr. Saunders, the contrary, at first suppos
ed to have received fatal injury, but the symptoms
suffering great deal OF pain he expired about o'clock
?. NJ: N.Y. 'S''' ''Se''D '''' ''A'4' at O'CLOCK
| We have never witnessed so deep and universal an
interest manifested by the citizens of Lynchburg
during the few days that Mr.. Terry fingered an inter
est which now surrounds, with all its holy and
solng influences, his smtten and desoa'e household.
Hour after hour, as his waning strength rendered his
condition more and more critical solcitude the
painful pervaded and seemed almost petry the en-.
tire community, and when it became known that his
tate was inevitable, and his end at hand, men unused
to weep awed by the solemnites of the and yel
ding TO the impulses OF rrepressble sympathy wept
like children. All that medical skill could do
a fatal issue promptly and unremittingy supplied
all that aieconae attention could offer to
ease his suerings and brighten his latest moments on
earth was ever at hand-all that counsel and prayer
could contribute sustain him in the dread hour Of dis
solution, and guide and cheer him through "he dark
valley and shadow OF DEATH" was freely and ierveny
| bestowed.
| Never was the mortal hour consecrated bv holer
proofs OF affection higher exhibitions of courage
fhe composure, the irmness and amenity which mark
ed the closing scene, were almost superhuman. MIR.
Terry displayed magnanlmity which was more than
forgiveness, and herosm that higher than cour-
age. He gave a sublime example how The brave man
dies, and "the good man meets his fate" His camness
was never for moment disturbed,' and his anxiety
wasikept in gnoranceJ as shown by frequent inquiries
and the expression of hope that he would re-
cover proved that all resentment had passed of his
heart. Alas alas that such man should 80 sudden
| denly 60 from among us-that noble an existence
should end-that so gallant spirit should cease to
glow in living form.
Monday evening, his remains were borne from the
residence of Dr. Backord, their last resting place in
the Presbyterian graveyard, followed by much the lar
gest funeral procession witnessed. in the town.
| Twenty of most highly respected citizens clothed
yyIth mini n m ndad no hodv Dali
bearers; and Gen. Rhodes, Messrs. D. A. Wilson, Jr
Jas. NJ. Langhorne, and Francis B. Deane Jr mount
ed as Marshas formed and directed the procession
The funeral sermon was preached 10 densey crowd.
ed house by the Rev. Mr. Vaughan ofthe first Presby-
terrain Church, from the words-Consider the toork of
Goa: for ,pho can make that straight Dhch he hath
made crooked" Eccl. chap. VII, Der. XIII
During the performance OF the obsequies all bust
ness suspended-the stores closed-and the whole
town wore the aspect sorrow. The Superior Court,
| then in session, had adjourned upon the day of the
catastrophe and remained in until the day fol.
| lowing the inerment.
Over the grave touching prayer offered ,invok.
| ing heavenly aid Tor her whose bowed form was sunk
upon the eah by the side OF all that remained of him
who was her idol and her stay and those beautiful
children, who were weeping away their little hearts
over the eeding clay OF him who was their guide
| and protector God help the widow and the orphan!
| At the grave, a letter was read from DIR. Thos.
P. Atkinson of Danville, thanking the citizens o,
Lynchburg, on the part of Mr.. Terry's afflicted
family and friends, for the kindness and sympathy
manifested towards the lamented dead
! Mr.. Terry proceeds the Virginan) was native o.
the county OF Pttsyvana, and was born in December
1915, and was consequently in the thrtysixth year oil
| his age, when he meths untmely ate He was liber-
ally educated and graduated with credit to himself at
Princeton College, in 1889 and few weeks afterwards
married Miss Stockton of that place. lady bearing one
of the historical names of New Jersey. Returning to
Virginia, he prepared himself for the bar and pracsed
for years the profession of the Law Some three
years snce he became the Editor OF the Danvlle Reg
ser, and in December last our readers are aware
connected himself with the Virginian.
We shall leave it to ADLER pen, to do justice to the
and friends. Though comparatively a stranger in
Lynchburg, his modest and unpretending manner had
not served 10 conceal from many of his associates the