Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-03-10
MR.. PATRICK MCGOWAN.

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 arc 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 under
our knowledge:
Mr.. Patrick McGowan, mail agent on the Raleigh
and Weldon road, has been in the habit of keeping
an account with John II. Everett, Postmaster at
Spring Hill, Halifax Co., n. c., who keeps store;
and few days since the latter sent Mr.. McG bill
for 81, 09 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 Nee sent him the money Everett
returned receipt underneath which written,
''You knew you owed the money, but tried to
cA0use out of it, Mr.. MCGOWAN sent him back
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 o. charged
him with trying to cheat him, he told lie.
Everett determined to have revenge for this, and
in company with his father and q man named
Price, he went yesterday to CASTOR to attack MEG,
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 was not in Weldon, but a magistrate named
Parker was found before whom the parties were
summoned. MEG. that he had cause to APP
prehcnd violence from the Everetts and Price but
they declared that they had intention of assault
ing him. and under this declaration thew were dis
missed.
Mr.. Meg left the magistrates office and proceed
ed towards the depot, when he met several bystan-
ders, to whom he began to explain the difficulty.
The younger Everett approached the group, and
MEG. beckoned to him to up and he would
explain the whole. He rushed up and drew his
pistol. NEG. caught him by the collar, and drew
another, at the same time pushing him back 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 interfercd and drew the
elder Everett back but he continued to discharge
his pistol at Mr. MCGOWAN, of the balls striking
him on the back of the head, and infcting a
wound. During this firing Price, who was out
side of the crowd fired into it, causing the bystand
crs to fail back. Young Everett then struck MEG.
in the face with his revolver causing him to staggcr
back to where the elder E. standing. The lat
ter then struck him severe blow in his face,
ing him to fall at his sons feet, when the latter de-
liberatelv placed the mouth of his revolver at
McG.S shoulder and then moved it upwards to his
check, just in front Of his car when he fred. Young
Everett then declared that he had killed MCGOWAN,
and had come there to Kill him.
Mr.. Wm. \. Allen then stenpcd forward and called
upon the citizens to aid him in arreSting the perpe
traitors Of this icndsh outrage and it is greatly due
to his praseworthy efforts that the miscreants
Immediately taken, bound and conveyed to Halifax
jail.
once; his intention seemed first conciliatc and af
ter the fray began, he too severely wounded to
be able to defend himself
a Geographic dispatch was Immediately sent to
Petersburg, ard DR.. Spencer went out last evening
to the aid of the unfortunate sufferer.
MCGOWAN bears a high character for sobriety and
uniform good conduct 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 sefdefence. At Weldon he appealed to the law
for protection; but learn that the magistrate and
constable at that place, who had these in charge
made effort to disarm them though it was known
they had followed Mr.. MCGOWAN some fifteen or
twenty miles with the avoued purpose of taking his
life. Even after he attacked, he did not it seems,
discharge his pistol with intent 10 kill for it is sta
ted that the weapon went off only when he fell
der the blow of young Everett the ball lodging in
the house wall above him. lie may, however,
have been crowded and pressed that he could not
fire; he may have feared that if he did, he might
wound or kill his friend Mr. Allen, who was strug-
Cling with his assalants, and who threatened young
Everett, when he first attempted to draw his pistol,
that he would hew him down with his bowie-knfe
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 fred 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 cooy applied his weap-
on to his check, and shot him through the lower
part of his face, SCATTERING his jaw-bone.
Mr.. McGowans wife went down to Weldon on
Tuesday, in state bordering distraction, having
heard on Monday night, that her husband was in
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 is
improving, and that strong hopes entertained of
his recovery.
We publish the following Card from Mr.. Rayner,
as an act of justice to that gentlemen:
RALEIGH March 9TH 1855.