The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1854-09-23

DER his ultimate recovery very doubtful
WILLIAMS also was wounded, and confined
for several weeks. So hot was the indigna-
ton of the people that many were willing
to hang him and his brother instanter. Col.
Z. proposed to addressed the people, stand
ing on the grave of the deceased, and urge
them to immediate vengeance. More timid
counsels, however, prevailed. In about
three weeks WILLIAMS had so far recovered
as to be able to walk out in his piazza
While taking drink Of water, he was shot,
by some person unknown, from hidden
place. 1t was deadly shot. One buck
shot went directly through his neck, four
shattered his arm and ranged through his
back, two went through his abdomen, and
some more through his thighs. Iheard the
discharge of the gun and the shrieks of his
wife, and ran in to see. He was stretched
upon the floor, apparently dead. In few
minutes he revived, and was very cool and
rational in his conversation. lie said the
man who shot him had acted cowardly in
not giving him chance, and expressed a
hope to "meet him again at Phillipi." 1t
was the first assassination had ever seen,
and I could not but feel strange emotion.
am always disposed to see fair, open
fight. Even if man does not strictly de-
serve it, it is more courageous and noble to
give him an equal and open fight. could
not kill the most deadly reptile without Civ
ing it firsta declaration of war, and putting
it upon its defense. But this is only nv
sentimentality. There was but one oues-
ton hundred times reiterated, in various
forms: "Are you certain he will die 2"
"Have they got llim9" as there no chance
for him to recover?" These questions were
satisfactorily answered by positive assu-
rance from the doctor aud others who had
examined his wounds that he certainly
would die. In about two hours these as
s,lrances we're verified by the welcome an
nounccmcnt of his death. Thus was he
"cut off even in the blossom of his sin,
Unhouseled, disappointed, uaneled,
No reckoning made, but sent to his account
With all his imperfections on his hcad:''
From play Of Hamlet, act 2, scene s.
1t is true his death was a public necessity.
The only regret can be that he did not die
by the public hangman rather than by
private hand. 1t is not impious or unchari-
table to rejoice at the removal of pesti-
lcnce, though it walks in human shape
The man who killed him is isesteemed pub
lie bcnefactor. No one knows, or cares to
know, who did the act, and the secret if
known could not be extorted by any pro-
cess of law.
l send you the account of the tragedy
published in the next issue of the village
paper. 1t is good, honest, free spoken
obituary, and deserves TO be commended for
its boldness and truthfulness; for these are
indeed rarely ventured upon in such notices.
The fiercest storm your predecessor in edi-
torship eyer encountered was, raised by an
honest obituary. I leave the balance to. be
told by the extract from the village paper
Yours, in kindness, : ~ 5i 'sp YoNkERs.
TX 3s---efof, ~ 4. .szs4ti.i Il. :
'HoMoIDE-on monday week, our tciti-
zens were thrown into a, state of excited
confusion by a deed, the bold daring and
mystery Of which viii seldom find ;paraL
lei About four clock on the evening Of
the day in question, James, Williams was
shot in his own piazza, by some person or
persons unknown. He fingered for, about
an hour and then expired. = The veil Of mys-
terry which hangs over this transaction ia
impenetrable. There is mo- clue or trace
lse BY which to detect the actor or actors,
Even the point from which, the shooting
was done is not definitely knownyand every.
thing is left 10 surmise; which gives birth to
various and widely contradictory snpposi-
tons r,The firing Of guns in different parts
OF the town being so common an occur
rsnce, report Of the sfatal firing above al
|hded to caused mo remark; and hence the
Failure to defnitAlY locate the sound. The
first noteaofH alarm tissued from the hepse
Fof the deoeasefi, ,5whsn our citizens hurried
to the spots and medical aid was procured
With all possible despatch Impressions may
| 60 abroad peaecting on osss,c citizeps fosfack
FoE diligence id thee eHortsat datectionr.,,;; !;
M!hils wss edniti hat tiasseswass little dispo.
si60ns shown t6 init tut rigorous inyestigs,
tlon, re HgRe thes 5aspsssts and uttasay laW,
- CIsas1atsepe IN deceAsed insjnet exteA:
Epatiea. ts l6nafS asssas tiis
81 y 3lls I; s''1ats md the