Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-01-30
Horrible Murder.

Lexington, Va. OIL Sunday night last, the
18th instant The parties were Mr.
Blackburn, cadet Of the V. M. l., aud
Mr.. Christian, law student the former
having been most foully murdered. The
letter says :-Dispatch.
"For the last twenty -four hours dated
18th inst.,) this village has been in such a
state of excitement as have never before
witnessed. About half past o'clock yes
terday Sunday evening, young Mr..
Blackburn, a cadet of the V. M. Institute,
was killed by Mr.. Christian, law student.
The cause Of this sad affair was this: Mr..
Christian had been il the habit of visiting
. young lady Of fineastle, NOW in this vii
lagt, cousin of Mr.. Blackburn, and B..
having heard or known something deroga-
tory to the character Of G. told his cousin
of it and urged her to walk with him to
church no more. On the 9Th inst, Chris
tian sent word to the young lady that he
would call at her uncle's that evening, to
escort her to church, when she declined
the favor of his company. Suspecting
something wrong, Christian demanded an
explanation, which the Young lady gave
him.
Last Saturday morning Mr.. Blackburn
paid his cousin visit at her uncle's, when
she tcld him that she had given Christian
her reasons for declining to keep his com
pany. Learning this, Mr.. B. proceeded
to town at once, sought out Christian, told
him frankly aud candidly that he had
warned his cousin against him, and that lie
felt justified in SO doing from the charac-
ter that &. sustained. II outbreak took
place then, though the two parted with
any other than good feelings, Christian re-
marking that he would see Blackburn a.
gain.
On the same day Christian bought a
pistol and bowie-knife, and was heard to
make threats against Black burn several
times.
Sunday morning while Christian was in
the tavern yard of the Mcdowell hotel. he
had the knife in his hand and told old Mr..
Dull, the stage driver, that he intended to
use ii that night. At half past l o'clock
p. NJ, ofthe same day Christian stationed
himself in front Of the church and threat
ened to attack Blackburn as he came out,
but was restrained from so doing BY Mr..
A. Moore, or the murder would probably
have been committed in the presence of
the dispensing congregation. At This time
nothing was known Of Christians lnten-
tons, except by few, who never dreamed
of such a result
In the evening the church bell rung,
and the people were crowding lnio the
house OF God. DR.. Junkin was to preach,
and came with his family, his daughter be-
ing escorted by young Blackburn, in the
very hey-day OF youthful hilarity. As
Blackburn passed into the vestibule, Chris
tan tapped him on the shoulder and said
he wanted to spaaiT with him. Black burn
turned aboRf, and the two walked off to-
gether. Two cadets were standing by and
saw this. One OF them knowing of the
previous difficulty, remarked to the other
'let Us follow them--they will have
fight" no" replied the o,her-'there
is no ieor-C. has only 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. 1t was then partially dark, the
moon was not up and daylight was nearly
gone. James w. Massie who was on his
way to church, saw the scuille, saw the two
tall and rushed forward. Christian, on
perceiving him, jumped up and ran off as
rapidly as possible. Massie finding that
Blackburn could not get up. and hearing
a gurgling sound IN his throat called for
hep. AS soon as aid could be obtained
poor Blackburn was taken to VIM. Whites
where he soon breathed his last, never hav-
ing spoken word. When light was
procured, it was found that B. had re-
ceived large cash in the left side OF his
throat, an inch and half below the ear
-Four physicians were in attendance in two
or three minutes, but they only arrived in
time to see one gap and B. was dead. In
burn left the church with Christian, he
was corpse.
Dr. Junkin had aseetided the pulpit and
opened the service, and few OF the con-
gregation, therefore, knew of the murder
till the close of the sermon. AS many ca
diets had entered the church, one after a.
mother, heard it and left, causing a great
confusion. The congregation knew that
something had happened, but most per-
sons kept their seats.
Christian, finding that he had probably
Killed Black burn, 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 himselfup, but not ua.
til he had changed his clothes. He now
says that he committed the deed in self
defence. but nobod, believes it, as he was
armed with stick, pistol and bowie
knife. while poor Blackburn had no
weapon about him.
AS soon as the murder was made known,
the cadets became greatly excited, and
threats were made OF Lynch law, and so
great was the crowd in front of the tavern,
that the officers had to take Christian out
q the back way and by an unlrequented
street to the Jail, where a strong guard
was stationed all night.
A Coroner's Jury of Inquest have been
sitting all day, and are not yet halfthrcugh
the testimony.
On examining Blackburn's body to-day
it was found that he was cut in the head
above the right ear and stabbed very bad
ly in the shoulder. 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