Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-03-14
Thirst for Blood.

Our City was thrown into considerable ex-
element last week, on hearing that one of
our citizens, Mr.. p. McGowan, had been as
saulted in a most brutal and cowardly manner
by three %rufians at Weldon. and probably
killed. We give below, from the Petersburg
Democrat, the most perfect account we have
seen, OF the disgraceful transaction. Some
six or seven shots were fred at Mr.. NEG,
only two however striking his person. We
are glad to learn that, although dangerously
wounded, there is a probability that he will
recover finally, though it must be n long time
first, as his jaw-bono is terribly shattered by
a ball which entered his mouth.
Ought not the intent-the design of these
desperadoes-to fix upon them the crime of
murder? IL was their misfortune, so to
speak, rs far as their purpose was concerned,
and not their fault, that their victim was not
killed and there is scarcely any penalty too
severe for such daring o~utlawry and blood
thirstiness. The South Side Democrat says I:
We ARE indebted to the courteous mail agent
between Richmond and Weldon for the follow
inc particulars Of one Of the most brutal and
bloody Iffrays 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
tho habit of keeping an account with IL.
Everett, Postmaster at Spring Hill. Halifax
Co., N. c., who keeps a store and q few
DAYS since the latter sent Mr.. MEG. a bill
for SI,0S, n balance due. MEG. replied by
a note. stating that hi dill not think h. owed
it, hut il he did he would pay it.. Everett
replied by saying that he did, and McG. sent
him the money, Everett returned n receipt,
underneath which was written, You knew
Won owed the money, but tried to chouSe me
out oft" Mr.. McGowan sent him back a
note. stating that he had not tried to cheat
him. IA he proved by sending the money
when informed that il was really due, ano
that if he (E.) charged him with trying tt
cheat him, he told a lie.
Everett d tormined to have revenge tol
this, and in company with his father ana
man namel Price. he went yesterday Il
CASTOR. To- attack MEG, who, hearing o
their intention, refused TO meet them, re
NAMING in his mail car. They got on thu
train and followed him to Weldon, declarinj
thatthey intended to kill him. At this place
Mr.. Walden delivered McG.'s mails to the
Wilmington cars, and by his request wen
off TO seek Justice Campbell. He was no
in Weldon, but n magistrate named Parke
was found, before whom the parties wer
summoned.-McG. swore that he had caus
tn auprehend violence from the Everetts an
Price. but they declared that they had n
intention Of assaulting him, and under thi
declaration they were dismissed.
Mr.. MEG. left the magistrates office an
proceeded TO the depot, when he met sevres
byssanders, to whom he began to explal
the difficulty. The younger Everett approach
ed the group, and MEG beckoned TO h'm I
come up and he would explain the whole
Ue rushed no and drew his pistol. McC
caught him hy the collar, and drew another,
the same time pushing him back TILL he s;
down on n step near by. The elder Evere
then approached, placeda revolver to McG.
hack and Immediately pulled the trlgge
but the cap snapped. The bystanders no
interrered and drew the elder Everett bac
but he continued to discharge his plstoi
Mr. McGowan. one Of the balls striking hi
on tbe back Of the head. and inticting
severe wound. During this firing, Price, wi
was outside Of the crowd, fred into 1t causiI
the bystanders to fall back. Young Evert
then struck McG. in the face with his rev'
YER, causing him to stagger back 10 whe
,bs elder T.. was standing.-The latt
struck him u severe OIoW III 10 L"~o' O"uSi
him TO fall at his sons feet, when the latt
deliberately placed the mouth of his l
yolyer at Noes shoulder, and then NOV
Il awards to his check, just in front
his ear, when he fred. Young Ever
then declared that he had killed McGowf
aud had come there to kill him.
Mr.. VIM. N. Allen then stepped forws
and called upon the citizens to aid him
arresting the perpetrators Of this hendl
outrage, and il is greatly due to his prai
worthy efforts that the miscreants were J
mediately taken, bound and conveyed
Halifax Jail.
During the whole AT ir MCGOWAN ne
fred once his intention seemed hrst
cupeiliatc, and after the fray began, he '
too severely wounded to be able to dele
himself.