Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1853-08-31

| COUSIN OF oamuel IT, Davis, took from the post
Office private letter directed to the latter.
! This letter he showed to the editor of the Red.
ford Sentinel, Robert Ridgway, printed in
the town of Liberty, about twenty FIVE miles
from Lynchburg, Virginia, Bedford county
The editor published in his paper this letter,
though taken out of the Office and opened con
trary to law, and did so probably because cap
ltal might be made out of it in the canvass.
As soon as Mr.. s. G. Davis saw the letter in
the paper, and learned how the editor got
possession of it, he went to the town of Libcr-
ty, and there posted both Ridgeway and his
cou'ln as infamous and dishonorable men. ,,
According to the mode of settling such in
suits in this city. Mr.. Ridgway would have
armed himself and shot Davis at sight. but in
stead of taking that course he challenged him,
and the challenge was accepted.
Last Monday the parties arrived in this
city to arrange the preliminaries of the fight,
by which the furnished honor of gentlemen
was to be frightened and made to glitter like
diamonds. The parties came here accompa-
MED by two members of Congress and friends.
all efforts having failed to reconcile the mat
ter up to three O'Clock yesterday afternoon,
the parties left town at four and crossed the
Maryland line, and at about FIVE o'clock the
fight took place. ris
The conditions of the hostile meeting, which
were arranged previously, were that the weap-
ons used should be pistols, the distance of the
parties twelve PAGES.
Upon the word being given, RiIgway took
aim, and fred deliberately, but Davis reserved
his fire. The whole matter was then settled
amicably. From certain information, we un-
derstand that it was not the intention of Davis
to fire, and that he acted throughout nobIy,
and occupies high and honorable grounds.
Assault and Battery.-Yesterday after-
noon, Mr.. Stephen ]. Dallas appeared before
Justice Clark, charged with an assault and
battery upon an Irish girl named Mary Kelly,
who had been in his service. The young wo-
man was at the Office, badly bruised, and from
her appearance We presume she had been
roughly handled by some one. The evidence
OF the young woman was strengthened by the
testimony of Mrs Godfrey and Mr.. Leroy
Edwards, who live near by, and who stated
circumstances sufficient to authorize the JUS
tice to hold Mr.. Dallas to bail in the sum of
$500 for his appearance at court.
An accident Prerented.-We are informed
that dastardly attempt was made last even
ing to throw the train due here from Balti-
moro at half past FIVE yesterday afternoon,
from the track. Some villain placed sleeper
across the track at q point about mile on
this side Of the Relay House 1t was discov-
cred by small boy. however, just as tho train
came in sight. He rushed to the spot and
seizing the log, managed to get it sufficiently
out Of the way, so as that when the train
passed an instant afterwards, the cow catcher
threw off the end still remaining on the rail.
This boy deserves handsome reward at the
hands of the company.
A Pratseworthy Act-All will remember
the newspaper accounts of the intelligent little
fellow who some months ago "tramped it, all
or most of the way from Cincinnati to this city,
in order to obtain an appointment as a mid
shipman in the navy-being an orphan, and
desiring to make his way through the world
We hear that q philanthropic and public
spirited citizen of Washington, has taken the
youngster in hand, sent him to one of the
academies in this city, and has determined to
educate. board, and clothe him in short to
make man of him. All honor to this gentle
man. Such an act deserves praise. The boy
did not receive an appointment when he came
on, because there was no vacancy in his dis
trict.
1. o. of Rachobttes.-We learn that at an
adjourned meeting of Columbia District Tent,
held last evening at their Hall On 7th street,
delegates were appointed to attend the Worlds
Temperance Convention, to be held in the city
of New York on the 9th proximo. Many pre-
sent signified their intention of participating
in its deliberations. Reeve Lewis, we learn,
was elected D. C. r. to supply vacancy
This valuable temperance organization is re-
presented to be in fourishing condition.
Charge Of observation-disclosures Thrill is
in Jail awaiting the Investigation of the charge
of an attempt to burn his own house, upon
which he has an insurance of $500, and which
is in an unfni she'd condition. Two attempts
were made in the course of few hours, night
before last, to burn the building, but they
were foiled by the activity of the neighbors,
who suspected Thrill and caused his arrest
P1iYCu{ accident -Yesterday. while Col
J. T. Nealy was at the Treasury Department
attending to some business, he was suddenly
seized with fainting fit and fell down the
steps, severely bruising his head and face
He was taken to the United States Hotel, where