Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1853-09-07
From the Cincinnati Commerclal
Dreadful TFagedy---James G.. Hall,
Late Post Master. Shot.

Yesterday evening, about dusk, James C. Hail.
ESQ, and DIR. F. w. Ames, met on the northeast
corner of Fourth street and Broadway, and as
they passed, DR.. Ames Gas we are cred:bly inform
ed) applied to Mr.. Hall vile epithet. coupled
with an oath Mr.. Hall stopped and demanded
what was meant by the offensive language, and
was told--ssJust what was said.'' At this Dr.
Ames directed blow at Mr.. Hall with sheathed
sword-cane. MIR. Hall caught the sheath part of
the cane, and as the sword drawn, received
a cut across the nose. He then caught the sword
in one hand, and with the other dealt his antago-
mist severe blow in the face. DR.. Ames then
drew pistol and fred at Mr.. Hall wounding him
seriously. Replacing the discharged weapon in
his pocket, he drew another, and Mr.. Hall, being
entirely unarmed, retreated and sought protection
in the residence of Mrs. Glasgow. Another shot
was fired, which struck in the door.
Mr. Hall was conveyed to his residence, and
several eminent physicians called, who pronounce
ed his wound exceedingly dangerous.
DR.. Ames went into his residence, which is
next door east of Mr. Hali's,and reloading his pis-
tolls, appeared upon tlae side walk in state of
phrenzy and desired to friend of Mr.. Hall,
that he might shoot him. Some gentlemen pres
emily told him that they were Mr.. Halls friends
and he cooled off slightly, and entered his house,
where he was quickly arrested and conveyed to
the Station House, where he secured, and,
though any amount of bail was offered, it was
property refused.
OfMr. Halls lofty private and public character,
it is here unnecessary to speak. 1t is sufi cient
to state for the information of strangers that he
is one of the most generally esteemed of our
prominent citizens.
The conduct Of DR.. Ames was outrageous
Our city has not before been disgraced by an
assault so da mnably inexcusable. This aggravat-
ed, n.urderous attack upon SO estimable gentle
man as is its probable victim, has excited through
out the community deep sensation of horror and
n !ignation.
The original cause of this affair seems to be an
old difficulty.
P S.-We learned, at late hour, the follow
ing facts from gentleman direct from the of Mr..
Hall:
Dr.. Ames was in the attitude of striking Mr..
Hall with his cane, and called him d-m rascal
when the latter struck him. The DIR. then drew
a sword from the cane, and in the struggle which
ensued Mr.. Halls hands were much lacerated
and a wound inflicted in his face. The latter
succeeded in bending the sword and rendering il
useless, when DR.. Ames, drew a pistol and shot
him. the ball striking the right side, just below
the third floating rib, and ranging downward
II has been traced four inches between the liver
but not found. Mr.. Hall, after receiving the shot,
retreated to Mrs. Glasgow's, when the DR.. fired
a second pistol, which did not take effect.
Mr. Halls condition is, by high medical author
ity pronounced precarous in the extreme. The
uistol shot wound does not bleed externally, and
from all indications the internal hemorrhage is
not serious. At 121 O'clock this morning, his
suffering had somewhat subsidized, and he was
growing tranquil.