Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-04-30
[REroRrED FOR THE srANDARD.]


TRIAL OF THE EvERETTS AND PRICE,
At the Superior Court of Halifax County, on the
22d inst, Simon Everett John H. Everett and =
Price were indicted for assault and battery on Pat.
rick McGowan, on the 9th March, 1856, under the
following circumstances:
1t appears that John H. Everett, son of Simon
Everett, one of the other defendants was Postmas-
ter at Spring Hill, about three miles south of Gas
ton, at which place he also kept small grocery.
McGowan, who is Route Agent on the Raleigh and
Castor Railroad, had frequently small business trans
actions with him; in consequence of which, trifling
accounts were kept between them. "A few days be-
fore the time of the assault, Everett forwarded
account to MCGOWAN for small balance, which he,
MCGOWAN, disputed, alleging that there was bal
ance to his credit; but stating that as all
liable to mistakes, if on examination the account
was found to be correct, he would pay it. The ac-
count was afterwards returned to MCGOWAN with
credit of a few cents additional, and an intimation
from Everett that, he saw disposition on the
part of him, MCGOWAN, to chouse HIM out of it,
if it was not paid Immediately, he, Everett, would
take steps TO get it. MCGOWAN, it would seem, was
stung by the impuation of fraud, and replied in
note, Notwithstanding Everett that he had vim
dictated his character in the assaults made upon it
by his neighbours intimatng that, from his conduct
towards him, he, MCGOWAN, was rather disposed to
believe there some truth in the general rumor;
and further reminding him that he had helped to
place him. Everett, in the office he then occupied,
but adding, that the power that put him there
could remove him" Caesars wife should be above
suspicion"
1t would appear that Everetts knowledge of
the classics did not embrace an acquaintance with
the meaning of the tigurative allusion to Caesars
wife, and he unfortunately jumped to the conclusion
that slur had been cast upon The fame of his o,cn
wife. He appears to have taken counsel of his ia
ther, whose classic lore was more extensive than
his own. One OF two courses only seemed to be
left-to make MCGOWAN retract the offensive expires
sion, Or 10 take satisfaction out of him. The man
ner in which this purpose was carried cut, will be
gathered best from the following abstract of the ev-
idence cduced on the trial.
The defendants were brought up at last Fall Term
of the Superior Court of Halifax but for some rea-
or other the trial put OFT to the present term
Judge Person presided: for the State, Mr. Attorney
General Batchelor for the defendants, Mcssrs. B. F.
Moore and Edward Conigland
Patrick McGowan, examined by the Attorney Cen
eral dcposcd as follows: Was in charge of the mail
on the 9th March, 1855. On reaching CASTOR, saw
John Ii. Everett, Simon Everett, and Price. Price
we understand, is a brother naw of j. H. Everett)
They CANT towards the mail car, and j. H. Everett
asked ne If wrote paper he held in his hand
Told him dd'nt know, to let me look at it.. He
demanded that should stake back " what had
therein written. Told him to give me the paper and
if l wrote it and there anything in it which
"was not so | would take it back. lie did not
give me the paper. All the parties began to curse
me, all were armed with rcvolvers and sticks j.
Ii. Everett said he would follow me to Weldon, and
if he did not get inc there he would follow me I" to
some other place and kill The elder Everett
went round the in which l was, and fearing |
would get shot, entered the and shut the door.
On the arrival of the at Weldon, understood
the whole party to be or board. Wrote Mr.. Camp
bell to to me. Mail delayed about an
hour. Went to the postoffice to register my name.
Saw j. Ii. Everett on Whitfied's steps. Began to
curse and grit his teeth. Told him thought all
had been settled. Came towards ME with pistol
in his hand. Closed upon him; got him down on
the steps; put my pistol to his breast and told him
I could kill him but would not. Felt his father S
pistol upon me, and heard caps snap Received a
blow ON the face. Was then shot down. j. II. Ev-
erctt pulled at my stomach four five times. Fired
one shot about the time | was shot.
Cross.examined by Mr.. Moore. H. Everett
called to me at Ga ton. Was twenty to thirty feet
off. Three men were in the party. Saw them when
at Raleigh to get bail. Thought them to be the
same. Did not know Price. Don't recollcct saying
I was the author Of the letter he had. Didn't See
the letter. Might have said wrote it. Looked like
one wrote to hm-samc kind of paper. Asked
me to retract it. Told him to come up and would
take back any thing that no. Did not ask me
# it was meant for his wife, Had weapon. Asked
me to come down. Heard all three curse me- Can't
tell the epithcts. Think one was id Irish s.
N mi Say
Everett walk round the coach. All of them were
armed with reviewers Was afraid, and shut the
door j. II. Everett said if I did not come out he
would follow me and kill me. Made affidavit to Mr.
Parker at Weldon. Allen, the Post. Master, went
with me from the cars to P. O. Met them at Camp
bells shed. j. II. Everett came down the steps
his father advanced at same time. Saw pistol be-
fore he reached the ground. Can't tell how he fell
down. Did not shoot for fear of killing him. think
ing it might be avoided Put my pistol to him wi lille
down on the steps. Got loose from him and went
off Followed me and caught me behind. Thought
his father struck me on the face. Three or four
shots were fired at me. then fired. Thought J.
IL Everett fired two shots before fired. Did not
tell me had used bad language to his wife, Did
not know he had wife.
ReeXamned by the Attorney General. Recog.
Missed the two Everetts as those at Weldon All
three cursed me. Saw Allen attempting to keep the
father off me. Could not tell whose pistol click.
ing behind me. Could not tel who shot me- Put
back my pistol when walked off. By the Court
The Agents are required to register their names
BY Mr.. Moore.-Dont recollect bantering j. H. Ev.
erett. Did not ask Allen to bring him down.
Capt Rigs an next called. Was conductor on
the day in question. Saw two Everetts and a man
heard was Price at CASTOR. (Witness here recog
nized Price.) Heard angry words and walked in
that direction. Old Everett had nothing but stick
j. H. Everett had stick and pistol. Spoke to Simon
Everett and told him it the wrong place to have