The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-07-01
ALMOST a TRAGEDY.

On Saturday evening last. about 6 o.
clock, a shooting affair occurred in front OF
our Office, which caused no little excitement
amongst our citizens. Whilst we were
closely engaged with our Office duties, and
quiet and good order apparently prevailing
in our neighborhood, we were suddenly
startled by the loud report of two pistol
shots, fired in quick succession. Running
to our main-street windows, we discovered
a man PROSTATE on the pavement in front
of Mr.. Ahern's store, apparently in the ago
MES of death from his wounds. A crowd
Immediately gathered, and carried him into
DR.. Pritchard's Drug Store. where it was
! ascertained that he was not mortally though
severely wounded, by ball in his left knee,
! entering Immediately above the cap and
proceeding obliquely downwards, SCATTERING
some of the bones, and lodging somewhere
about the knee joint. The wounded man
was Mr.. Edward H. Moss, formerly mer-
chant of this place, and a citizen we'll known
here. The gentleman who shot him. was
Mr.. John Sloan, now we believe salesman
in New York City, and who was also
merchant in this town, about three years
since. The origin of the unfortunate affair
of Saturday, we learn, occurred while Mr..
Sloan resided here, personal rencontre
between the parties having taken place in
the store of Mr.. Sloan, in consequence of
some alleged offence on the part of Mr..
Sloan towards a member of Mr.. Moss's
family, who had sent g servant to the store
for some article of dry goods. Mr.. Sloan
being here on Saturday, on visit to his
friends and connexions, Mr.. Moss first met
him at the store ofMessrs. J. & E. B. Stowe,
near the Court House. and renewed the diff
ficulty by INDUCING freely in abuse of Mr.
Sloan. The Messrs. Stowe interfered and
prevented personal collision there. A
short time subsequently, Mr.. Sloan was
seated at the front door of DR.. Pritchard's
Drug Store, conversing with S. w. Davis,
Esq, DR.. Samuel Caldwell, and perhaps
and struck Mr.. Sloan blow on the head
with his fist. Mr.. Sloan Immediately arose
from his chair, drew Colts revolver from
q belt around his waist, and attempted to
fire at Mr.. NJ. Tho first aim the pistol
snapped, the second went off but missed
him, the third fire, the ball, as we have al
ready remarked, took effect in the knee,
bringing Mr.. NJ. suddenly to the ground
1t is the opinion of those who witnessed the
exciting occurrence, that the failure of the
pistol the first time it was directed at MIR.
NJ. saved him from instantaneous DEATH
Before the second shot was aimed, Messrs.
Davis and Caldwell had taken hold of Mr.
Sloan, and was struggling TO prevent any
fatal effect-and their efforts were doubt |
less successful, as the missing of the first
ball, and the second lodging in the knee
can be accounted for in no other way.
Messrs. Grier and Harris, Sheriff and
Constable, few minutes after the shoot
ing, arrested Mr.. Sloan, who promptly gave
security in the sum of 81 900 for his appear
ance at Court, when the matter undergoes |
judicial investigation. Mr.. Moss had his |
wound dressed, and was sent home in a car
riage, where he was lying yesterday, in |
great pain from the wound. As the ball |
cannot be extracted, fears are entertained |
that amp utation of the leg will be necessary.