The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1853-11-30
The Late Murder at Louisville,

A few days ago We bad dispathes from Lou
isviIle stating that on the morning of the ID
inst, Matthew Il. Ward, author Of English
Items" shot Professor VIM. Butler. that But.
Ter died. and that Ward and young brother
Of his, named Robert, had been arrested and
committed 10 prison. The Louisville Courier,
of the Sd inst. gives the following account Of
the dreadful affair:
Yesterday morning Mat i. Ward. the eld-
est son of r. J. Ward, Esq, went to the High
School in his city, near the corn1r Of Second
street on Chestnut. accompanied by two Of his
brothers, Robert Ward, a youth Of sixteen,
and William Ward, a smaller boy. and called
1 for Mr.. w. H. q. Butler, one Of the teachers.
A few words passed between them when Mr.
Ward pulled out pistol and shot Mr. Butler
down. The ball penetrated his left breast,
over the heart, and he fell to :he floor, cx-
claiming in bis agony, II am killed-oh. my
poor wife and child" Ward then dropped
bis pistol. and accompanied BY his brother, re-
treated from the school room.
Mr. Butler was able to rise from the for,
and left the room, assisted by some boys. but
when in the street he fell again. and was car
risd home. His physicians think the wound
will prove mortal. The ball could not be ex-
tracted and he bled inwardly. Mr.. Butler
had corrected VIM Ward, one Of his pupils.
the day previous for telling falsehood, which
led to the tragic affair
Robert Ward, who accompanied his broth
er, drew bowie knife, and when Prot. Stur-
ges, the other teacher in the school, advanced
to the assistance Of Mr. Butler. he made such
demonstrations that the Professor retreated
and made bis escape out Of window. The
scholars in the school room we're also scattered
in all directions by the display Of such warlike
instruments 10 their midst
Mr. NJ. L. Ward and Robert j. Ward, IT,,
were promptly arrested and lodged in Jail.
Last night at nine o'clock, Mr. Butler was
in very pccearious condition, with but slight
hopes Of his surviving till morning. Hc sut-
fering intensely, and the affection Of his fam
lily is described as distressing beyond measure.
Mr.. Butler was one Of the best and most
inofensive men in the world, and we can ap-
preciate the anguish Of bis friends at his being
50 untimely cut off in such manner. The
affair is generally regarded as Of a most afro
cious and unprov oked character, and when it
became known, the deepest indignation pre-
vailed throughout the city.
We learn from the Louisville papers that
Mr.. Butler fingered until ono o 1lock on the
morning Of the 30, when be died. The Dem
ocrat, Of the 4th, says:
Our readers will necessarily look for some
statement Of the facts concerning the shooting
ARRAY Of wednesday, as elictei by examina-
tions Yesterday The investigation before the
Coroners jury was very full and explicit
Several physicians we're present at post NOR
tenn examination. in which the track Of the
ball was followed through the lungs, lacerating
them severely, and terminating in ono Of the
vertebre Of the spiral column. As to the ia
tality Of the wound there is no difference Of
opinion. In the language Of one, it was nec-
essarily fatal The bail was extracted and
preserved.
Then came the testimony Of Mr.. Gilmore.
cun.smith who deposed that Matthew Il.
Ward purchased pistol Of him about 8
o'clock Wednesday morning, requiring it to
Be loaded. After one was prepared, he con-
cuded to have second loaded in like man.
ner. Finally came two Of the Joung men of
the school, who witnessed the tragedy. Mat
thew Il. Ward, Robert. and younger brother,
came to Mr.. Buffers school-room about 10 o.
clock on Wednesday. entered the hall or main
room. where the lads of the school were sitting.
Mat. Ward accosted Mr. Butler, requiring an
answer to several questions about the cause Of
the chastisement Of his brother the day pre-
vious. Mat Ward threw up his hand, as 1t
10 strike Dir. Butler raised both hands as II
to fend off the attack, when the pistoi was dis
charged and the fatal deed done.
Mat. Ward seems to have retreated immc-
diately, but presented another pistol; the one
he discharged was subsequently found on the
floor; but Robert Ward stood in the hall,
Hourishing very large dirk knife.
M.F. Ward and his brother Robert Ward,
ir.. we're examined before Judge Joyce on the
morning of the Sd inst. and on the testimony
Of several witnesses, we're committed to an
swcr the charge Of murder at the next term
Of the Jefferson Circuit Court. No witnesses
we're introduced on the part Of the defence,
and argument was waived