Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1855-03-14
NoRTHCARoLINA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH IA, 1856 !.
MR.. PATRICK MCGOWAN.


We briefly alluded in our last to the brutal and
murdcrons assault made on this gentlemen by three
rufiians at Weldon, which, it was then thought,
would result in his death. We now give, from the
Petersburg Democrat an account of the affair which
is believed to be full and reliable than any yet
published:
"We are indebted to the courteous mail agent
between Richmond and Weldon for the following
particulars of one of the most brutal and bloody af
trays at the latter point that has ever come under
our knowledge: ...
Mr.. Patrick MCGOWAN, mail agent on the Raleigh
and Weldon road, has been in the habit of keeping
account with John H. Everett, Postmaster at
Spring Hill, Halifax Co., n. c., who keeps store;
for 81 ,0s balance due MEG. replied by note,
stating that he did not think he owed it, but if he
did he would pay it. Everett replied by saying
that he did, and MEG. sent him the money. Everett
returned receipt underneath which was written,
You knew you owed the money, but tried to
cAouse me out Of it." Mr.. McGowan sent him back
a note stating that he had not tried to cheat him,
as he proved by sending the money when informed
that it was really due, and that if he (E.A charged
him with trying to cheat him, he told lie.
Everett determined to have revenge for this and
in company with his father and u man named
Price, lie went yesterday to Gaston to attack McG,
who, hearing of their intention, refused to meet
them, remaining in his mail car. They got on the
train and followed him to Weldon declaring that
they intended to kill him. At this place. Mr.. Walden
delivered McG.'s mails to the Wilmington cars, and
by his request went off to seek Justice Campbell
He not in Weldon, but magistrate named
Parker found, before whom the parties
summoned McG. Swore that he had cause to ap-
prehend violence from the Everetts and Price, but
they declared that they had intention of assault
ing him, and under this declaration they dis
missed.
Mr. Mcti. left the magistrates office and proceed
cd towards the depot, when he met several bystan-
dcrS, to whom he began to explain the difficulty.
The younger Everett approached the group, and
McCi. beckoned to him to come up and he would
explain the whole. He rushed up and drew his
pistol. McG. caught him by the collar. and drew
another, at the same time pushing him hack till he
sat down on step near by. The elder Everett then
approached, placed revolver to McG.'s back and
Immediately pulled the trigger bat the cap snap
ped. The bystanders intertered and drew the
elder Everett back bnt he continued to discharge
his pistol at Mc. McGowan, Of the balls striking
him on the back of the head and infcting a
wound. Daring this firing. Price, who was out
se of the crowd fred into it, causing the bystani
ers to fall back. Young Everett then struck McG.
in the face with his revolver causing him to s:aggcr
back to where the elder F. was standing. The lat.
ter then struck him severe blow in his face caus-
ing him to fall at his sons feet when the latter dc.
libcratclv placed the mouth of his revolver at
McG.'s shoulder, anil then moved it upwards to his
Everett then declared that he had killed MCGOWAN,
and had come there to kill him.
Mr.. VIM. n. Allen then steHped forward and called
upon the citizens to aid him in arrcstng the perpe
traitors of this endish outrage and it is greatly due
to his praiseworhy efforts that the miScreantS
Immediately taken, bound and conveyed to Halifax
jail.
During the whole affair Mc(iowan never fred
oncc his intention seemed first conciliatc and az
ter the fray began. he too severely wounded to
be able to defend himself
Geographic dispatch was Immediately sent to
Petersburg. and DR.. Spencer went out last evening
to the aid of the unfortunate sufferer.
MCGOWAN bears high character for sobrety and
uniform good condnct, and is greatly esteemed by
all who know him.
We learn that Mr. MCGOWAN had no arms when
he left Raleigh. but that gentleman on the cars
between Castor and Weldon, seeing the deadly pur-
pose Of his assailanS. handed him revolver to use
in selfdefcnce At Weldon he appealed to the law
for projections; but learn that the magistrate and
constable at that place. who had these men in charge
made effort to diSarm them though it was known
they had followed Mr. McGowan some fifteen or
twenty miles with the avowed purpose of taking his
life. Even after he attacked he did not it seems
discharge his pistol with intent to kill for it is sta
ted that the weapon went off only when he fell un.
tcT tle Dio" ol young EScTctt, tue Uail 1T
the house wall above him. He may. however
have been crowded and pressed that he could not
fire; he may have feared that If he did, he might
wound kill his friend Mr.. Allen, who was strug-
Cling with his assaiants and who threatened young
Everett. when he first attempted to draw his pistol
that nc would hew him down with his bowe-knifc
unless he put it up which he did for the moment
Instantly. however, the elder Everett applied his
pistol TO McGowan's head, and exploded cap, the
weapon not going off; and this withdrew Mr. Aliens
and Mr. McGowan's attention from the younger Ev-
erett who began his fire, and then Price followed
One of them had his pistol at McGowan's breast
and Mr.. Allen knocked it up and the ball lodged in
post. Strange to state though ten or fifteen
shots were fired, Mr.. MCGOWAN, it is thought, was
not struck in his flesh by ball. until, having been
knocked down by young Everett with revolver
that demon in human shape coolly applied his weap
on to his cheek, and shot him through the lower
part of his face, shatterng his jaw-bone.
Mr. McGowan's wife went down to Weldon on
Tuesday, in state bordering distraction, having
heard, on Monday night, that her husband was in a
dying condition. His two brothers also arrived on
Tuesday from Lynchburg; and he had all desirable
clerical and medical attendance
P. S. We have just learned that Mr. McGowan il
improving, and that strong hopes entertained Of
his recovery.
: