The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-01-20
HoRRIBLE MURDER.

Sunday night last, the 18Th instant. The parties
we're Mr.. BLAcKBunN, a cadet OF the V NJ l., and
Mr. CHarsrrAs, a law student, the former. having
been most fouiiy murdered The letter says:
For the last twenty y.four hours dated 18th inst n
this village has been In such state Of Excitement
as have never before Witnessed About half past
8 sh eyenag young M
by DIR. Christian, law student. Thecause OF this
sad affair was this NJ. Christian had been Ia the
habit of visiting young lady of Fincastie (now in
this village) cousin OF Mr. Blackburn, and B. hav
ing heard or known something derogatory to the 4
char acter of c. told his cousin of it and urged her
to walk with linn to church more On the 9Th inst
Christian sent word to the young lady that he
would call at her uncles that evening" to escort her
to church, when she declined the favor of his com-
pany. .Suspecting something wrong Christian de-
manded an explanation, which the young lady gave
him.i
Last Saturday morning Mr.. Black burn paid his
cousin visit at her unce's when she told him that
she had given Christian her reasons for declining to
keep his company. Learning this, Mr.. B. proceed
ed to town, at once, sought out Christian, told him
frankly and candidly that he had warned his cou-
sin against him, and that he felt justified in doing
from the character that c. sustained. No outbreak
took place then, though the two parted with any
other than good feelings Christian remarking that
he would see Blackburn again.
On the same day Christian bought pistol and
bowie knife, and heard to make threats against
Blackburn several times.
Z Sunday morning while Christian was in the ta-
vern yard of the Mcdowell hotel, he had the knife
in his hand and told old Mr. Dali, the stage driver
that he intended to use it that night At half past
O'clock, P NJ, of the same day Christian stationed
binlsei in front of the church and threatened to
attack Blackburn he came out, but was restrain
ed from so doing by Mr.. A. Moore, or the murder
would probably have been committed in the pre-
senee of the dispensing congregation At this
time nothing was known of Christians intentions
except by few, who never dreamed OF such re-
suit
La the evening the church bell rung, and the peo-
pie were crowd;ne into the house oil God. DIR. Jun
kin was to preach, and came with his family his
daughter being escorted by young Blackburn, in
the very hey-day of youthful hilarity. AS Black
burn passed into the vesiibule, Christian tapped
him on the shoulder, and said he wanted to speak
with him. Blackburn turned about, and the two
walked off together. Two cadets were standing
by and saw this. One OF them, knowing of the pre-
vious difficulty. remarked to the other ''letus fol
low thenl-they will have fight "No" replied
the other-"there is no lear-C. has oely stick
and B. will be- full match for him." They passed
out of the gate by themselves, turned the corner
and walked up as far as the hay scales II Was
then partially dark the moon was not up and day
light was nearly gone James w. Massie, who
was on his way to church, saw the scufic, saw the
two fall aud rushed forward. Christian, ON per-
cevng him, jumped up and ran off as rapidly as
possible Massie finding that Blac kburn could not
get up, and hearing gurglng sound In his thr, at,
called for help. AS soon as aid could be obtained
poor Blackburn was taken to VIM. White where
ne soon breathed his last, never having spoken
word. When light was procured. It was found
that B. had received large cash in the left side of
histhroat an iuch and half below the ear. Four
physicians were in attendance in two three min
utes, but they only arrived III time to see one gasp
and B. was dead In less than ten minutes from
the time Blackburn left the church with Christian,
he was corpse.
DIR. Junkin had ascended the pulpit and opened
knew ofthe murder till the close of the sermon. As
many cadets had entered the church, one after ano-
ther, heard it and left causing great deal of ccnfu
sion. The congregation knew that something had
happened but most persons kept their seats. ~ !
Christian, finding that he had probably killed
Blackburn, ran down to the tavern in great haste
and took to his room. He was pursued by a man,
and finding that he was known, gave himself ap, but
not until he had changed his clothes. He now says
that he committed the deed in sefdeience, but no
body believes it, as he was armed with stick pis-
toll and bowie knife, while poor Blackburn had no
weapon about him.
As soon as the murder was made knpwn the ca
diets became greatly excited and threats were made
of Lynch law, and so great was the crowd in front
ofthe tavern, that the officers had to take Christian
out of the back way and by an unfrequented street
to the jail where strong guard was stationed all
NIGHT. -sr,s. ~ zss ssffs a.. e<lf -
A Coroner's Jury OF Inquest have been sitting all
day, and are not yet half through the testimony.
On examining Backburn's body to-day, it was
found that he was cut In the head above the right
ear, and stabbed very badly In the shonlder. The
wound in the neck was so deep that the weapon had
passed clear through the neck and struck the jaw
bone on the opposite side. His clothes were also
very much cut. M s.+4,t %r
christian threw the knife and stick away, when
near Mr.. Whites store believe the pistol has not
been found, although is certain that he purchased
one of Mr.. Pettgrew on the day before the murder.
Ifhe had with him he did use it, The knife and
stick when found were both very bloody. A large
quantity of blood found in the street near the
hay scales. Ii looked toSbe full as much as if a
large hog had been killed. Crowds Of persons have
been going to the place all day to see it. Blackburn
could not have survived more than three minutes
after receiving the stab in the neck. So bad is the
state of feeling between the Cadets and the Law
Students, that greatly fear more bloodbed.
lChristian l understand, is in dreadful state OF
uiind, and some think there is danger OF his com
uniting suicide. The town has been in ferment
all day about the murder, and people have thought
and talked of nothing else Christian is from AM
herst county, where he has widowed mother and
two sisters. Blackburn was from Charlestown,
Jefferson county. His father is very respectable
uiau and an elder in the Presbyterian Church OF
that place. An express started to Charlestown last
night with the dreadful tidlngs, and another nlay
have gone TO Amherst. for all thatI know. Ihave
been thus particular that you might be apprise6 OF
all the iacts as far as Ihave been able to gather
them" t',A. }ssa't e <ssfsst fi- G1.a
"Mrs. ,PARTINGroNs CARPET BAG OF Fun"
We have received from Geo M. West, Bookseller,
anew publication with the above title. II contains
more funny things than we could enumeratc in
column ofttie Dispatch, besides one hundred aud
fifty engravings to which the comic almanac bears
nocomparision. no A good laugh is better for diges-
ton than any thing else we prescribe, and this
book viii certainly produce that. Although it il
not offspring of shs Mrs. Partington who has so
long been before the public, we are sure she need
not be ashamed to own it, Ii the weather any
other cause has given you the blues, go down to
Vests, procure copy ofthis amusing publication,
and, word for it, you'll feel at peace with all
the world aud-eyerybody else.
RISE IN GUANo--We learn from the Baltimore
Patriot that Messrs. Barreda g. Bro, Peruvian
agents. have been instructed to raise the price Of
susHo from $46,20 to s5o. % per ton This is owing
TO the increase ffreghts and the difficulty Of pro-
curing vessels supply the increasing demand ier
the article.
Is.~-- -..~4.