The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1856-05-28

winch rendered MIN UNCONSCIOUS, repeating II
at least dozen or fifteen times.
Such men as Crttenden, Geyer and Payne,
promptly characterized it as cowardly and
shameful outrage. This seemed to excite
Keitt and Brooks, who exchanged chances,
when the latter exclaimed, No matter-one
will do for you to-day % The meaning Of this
expression seemed to be that they would for
bear the assault on account of Crittenden's de-
nuneiation.
correspondence of the N. Y. Tribune.
ASSAULT ON SENATOR SUMNER.
WASHINGTON, May %.
Mr.. Summer was writing unsuspectingly
and busily at his desk, when attacked by
Brooks The Senate had adjourned early on
the announcement Of the death of Mr.. Miller.
Messrs. Brooks and Keitt approached him,
each with a cane. Several persons had been
about Mr.. Summers desk after the adjourn
ment but at the time chosen for the attack,
he was alone. Mr.. Wilson had Just left him.
on his way out passing Brooks, who was sit
ting in a back seat. Brooks walked up in
front of Mr.. Sumner, and told him that he had
read his speech twice, and that it was libel
on South Carolina, and relative of his, Judge
Butler. Without waiting for any reply, or
asking for any explanation, he Immediately
struck Mr.. Sumner a violent blow over the
head with his cane, while Mr. Sumner sat in
his seat unable to extricate himself, cutting
by the blow cash, four inches in length on
his head. The cane WAS of gutta percha, an
inch in diameter. Brooks followed this blow
Immediately with other blows, striking from
twelve to twenty in all
Mr.. Sumner had no distinct consciousness
after the first blow. He involuntarily strove
~ l. L
position, tore up his desk from it's fastening in
the attempt to extricate himself. He stagger-
ed under the blows and fell senseless to the
floor, being wholly stunned and blind from the
first.
1t is stated by reporter who was present
that Keitt stood by and brandished his cane to
keep off others. Mr.. Morgan and Mr.. Muir
ray, of the New York delegation, were in the
front ante-room, and, hearing the noise, came
in Mr.. Murray seized hold of Brooks who
had now broken his cane into several pieces.
and Mr.. Morgan went to the relief of Mr..
Sumner, whom he found PROSTATE and nearly
unconscious. The persons present in the
Senate were Mr.. Sutton, one of the reporters,
the Assistant Sergent-at-Arms, Mr. Simonton.
Senators Crittenden Iverson, Bright Toombs,
Douglas, Pearge, and a few others. No one of
the Senators seemed to offer to interfere but
Mr.. Crittenden, who pronounced it an mex
cuSable outrage.
Mr.. Wilson rushed into the Senate Chamber
on hearing of the attack, but found Mr.. Sum-
ner had been removed to the Vice Presidents
rooms, and that a surgeon was in attendance.
lie then helped to put his colleague into
carriage, and went with him to his lodgings.
Mr. Sumner is badly injured, having two very
severe cuts on the hand His condition is
considered critical, and his physician allows no
one to see him. His clothes were literally
covered with blood when he was removed.
Considerable blood was also spattered on the
adjoining desks.
From our own Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, May %.
After the adjournment of the Senate this
morning, Preston S. Brooks, member of the
House from South Carolina, entered the SEN
ate Chamber, accompanied by Mr.. Keitt, also
a member of the House from the same State
and approached the seat where Mr.. Sumner
was writing saying he had used language per.
Isonally offensive to a relative of his, Mr. But
Ter, now absent and asked if he was person.
ally responsible. Mr.. Sumner rose or was
about rising, when, before replying, he receis
ed severe blow with a stick which was fol
lowed by another on his head, telling him tt
the floor. While down he was repeatedly
struck, until Messrs. Crittenden, Toombs, anC
others, interfered. Mr.. Sumner is mucl
bruised about the head and elsewhere. He i
8 confined TO his bed, and is denied to see com
pany by his physician. Proper resolution
will probably be offered in the House to-mor
row, and perhaps in the Senate. This assault
creates much sensation and is deprecated b
candid men of all parties. 1t will greatly in
flame the excitement produced by the intelli
gence from Kansas