Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1854-04-13
4 FEARFUL TRAGEDY.


On Wednesday night March 29lh) about ten
O'Clock. an affay took place in The street 10 front
OF the Washington Hotel between Mr.. William
J Wnnf aad Col JOS. w. Moore, in which The
latter was killed
Il seems that on Wednesday afternoon Mr.
VIM bad been at Moore's Hotel, and a misun-
derstandipg had sprung up between the parties, in
regard TO settlement we understand.
About ten O'Clock that ighi Vim came TO the
Hotel and called Moore out stating hat he wished
TO see him privately. Moore went out leaving
some gentlemen 10 the bar-Toom, and closed the
door after HIM Alter some conversation between
them which could not be disiR gushed BY those ia
epItners Passeu passions were AsT7riseir- sfht-a
fenceunler occurred in which Moore was stabbed
with knile Immediately on receiving The wound
be turned exclaiming that's enough. walked I'M
TO the house and sat down; remarkine that he wa.
stabbed. After remaining seated for few min
uies, be arose from the chair, and, in Attempting
10 walk across the room. reeled lad FELL and died
in lew minutes. From the time ne wound was
received he lived probably IS or 30 minutes.
VIM delivered himself q D 10 Wm Jordan. the
Mayor ofthe town. and is now in custody Sat
urday next the day appointed for the sitting Of
the examining trial
The post norlem examination showed that the
blade Of the knife had entered he chest half an
inch to the left and rather below the nipple az he
left breast, passing between the fourth and fnh
ribs cutting through The perieadum, and pene,ra-
ting into Ii. cavity Of the left side oil the heart
ouen y the general statement Of tacts connected
with this terrible affair While il is proper to give
the public some knowledge in regard 10 the gene
raj character Of such transactions II would be i'm
prudent 10 enter into detail because improo4r nre
judices and Undue sympathy might probably be
excited
But few weeks ago and this community wa.
startled from its usual quiet by an aifrar asioupd
ing Units suddenness, Al ful in its tragic ending
painful in its effects upon parent. and kindred
and, when considered in reference 10 the youth and
opening promise THE unfortunate parties. sad and
mournfnl 10 is consequences And aeeply laman
table a. was this occurrence there was 90 much Of
horror about il, that n thought there could he
repetition Of SO .earfnl and appa ling tragedy
But hardly have We resumed our wonted oaiet
scarcelyhave the uprisings OF prejudice been iii
fed and the voice Of sympathy hu.hed, before an
other reLconiFe mas taken place, equally appalling
from US suddenness, equally terrible in rs tragc
lermipation, and far more melancholy inalhe CON.
sequenees which are TO result from il
10 the former case The parties were both vounS
men, and, apart from the anguish OF parents and
friends, lis most disastrous effects were confined 10
the actors themselves. But in this case while he
unfortunate young man, who is now awaiting
Iudica has By this rash and fearful
forever hedged himself in with wfrlcbednes,
and offered weight Of biiierbess and anguish 4
the portien Of his aged parenIs-while II Il thus
with him, on the other hand, a man has been
stricken downEin all the prime and vieor Of life
widowed and i've helpless children ornhaned-
len witheul protector and with not single ,not
home.
MsyIihai Jhdge. who cannot err en,hI. r..
who shall be called upon to determine This eas- i
temper Justice with mercy, that while the law NAV
Be vihdIcaed and enforced ia its pledge 10 protect
human liies the claims or humanity NAV BE- held
IN equal sanefiiy --Leriagton Gazette.