Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-31
Assault upon Senator Sumner.
[Cor. espondcnCe OF the Evening PoStl

w NA>HlN'ToNt Mdy =, lNo''
\ few moments after the adjournment Of
the Senate to day, while Mr. Sumner was Sit-
ting in his seat writing, Mr. Brooks, q repre-
sentative from South Carolina, approached
him, and after exchanging a fcw words, struck
him over the head with heavy cane The
blow partially stunned MF. Sumner, who tho
staggering under its force, rose to defend him
self. 49, no -.
Brooks repeated the blows, Il number of
times, while his associate Mr. Kctt, Of South
Carolina, arrested the efforts of bystanders to
stop the assault Mr. Sumner WAS then car
ried in carriage to his residence, and NesSrs.,
Brooks and Kcitt walked away There was
every appearance of premcdtation III this at
tack Mr. Sumner was carried home in state
of partial stupor, with frightful gashes on the
back and side Of his head---the blood streaming
most profusely His coat and shirt are com
pletely saturated with blood.
The particulars of the case are these, as |
learn them from an eye witness Shortly be-
fore two O'Clock in the afternoon, the Senate
having adjourned, Mr.. Sumner was sitting in
his place writing very busily Brooks approach
cd him, saying, Mr. Sumner, | have read
your speech twice 1t is a libel Oh South
Carolina and OH Mr. Butler, who is a relative
of mine" Mr. Sumner who was still intently
writing, knew nothing more. Brooks struck
him with a heavy cane, upon which Sumner
sprang from his seat to defend himself with
such violence that the heavy desk before him
was wrenched from the floor to which it was
screwed He was, however, so much stagger-
ed as to be rendered powcrleSS, and the blows
were repeated till he was senseess The two
cuts upon his head are each about two inches
in length, and very deep. Dr. Boyle, who
was present, has sowed up and dressed the
wound, and it is hoped they will not prove
dangerous. fs
There were at least a dozen persons stand
ing near at the time of the assault, which was
so unexpected, that, as they say, they did not
think Of interfering Close by stood, as | am
informed, the Senate'S Sergcant-at-Arms a
large, strong man, and yet he did nothing
Mr. Crttenden came forward from another
part of the Hail. and denounced the attack, to
the perpetrator with the manly Indignation
characteristic of the chivalrouS veteran of X en-
tucky, as shameless transaction" But the
reply was, | am told, " You'd better not inter
ferP, we will lick one at time" keitt stood
10y with a cane, ready to save Brooks from in-
jury many persons having the impression that
he was armed, though no fire arms were dis
played, either by him or Brooks.
1t is believed that Sumner would have GER
tany been killed but for the interference of
Messrs. Murray and Morgan, representatives
from New York. The former seized Brooks
around the waist while he was striking Sum
ner, and, with Morgans help, pulled him away
Mr.. Summers legs, at the time when he was
attacked, were under the desk, so far that he
could only rise by wrenching it from the floor
The stunning, sudden force Of the blow knock
cd his head forward. His aSsaant then, seiz
ing him by the shoulder, held him with the left
hand, while with the other he kept LAYING the
blows upon his head. When Mr. Murray. there
fore, pulled away Brooks, Mr.. Morgan took
Sumner, now unconscious in his arms
If you could see the distinguished senator,
who is the victim of this attack, senseess, with
the blood gushing from wounds bestowed while
he was sitting down., unprepared to defend
himself, you would be as little disposed to mere
comment as are his friends in Congress There
is not one of them who does not feel that the
same blow was inflicted upon himself, and if
this occurrence coupled with the recent out
RACES upon the people of Kansas, of whom Sum
ner has proved himself the pre-eminent cham
pion, do not rouse the North to action, we NAV
we'll despair.
Mr. Brooks is large framed man, who ge-
nerally appeared very pacific in his manner and
temperament, He is the one, you may remem-
Der, who has been so prominent in encourag-
ing South Carolina emigration to Kansas lie
is almost the last man in the Southern delega-
ton whom | supposed capable of such deed,
but he was probably much excited by reading
Summers satirical reply to his uncle Butler
keitt, who accompanied him, appears good
deal more excitabe A few more such scenes
as that of to-day, Rust's assault on Greeley,
and Herberts waiter-kilng achievement, will
render Washington nuisance to all peaceable
men T.
CONDITION OF Mr. SrMNER-- Washington,
Friday, May %, lS56.-Mr SUMNER is better
this morning, and will probably be able to oc-
cupy his seat seat in few days. 1t appears
that he did not call for help, as stated, being
nearly unconscious after the first blow.