Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-05-14

Our city was the theatre of double tragedy
yesterday and two human beings were shot, one
OF whom died in few minutes, aud the other is
scarcely alive Mt the moment of writing this
Yesterday, while most of our citizens at
dinner. the report of pistol was heard at the
house If Mrs. Dallman, on the corner of Main
and jefferson sh eets, near the post Office.
/ gentle who was standing II few doors above
the post office. turned on hearing the report, and
Benjamin Conner come out of Mr.. Dalman's
house, holding parrot in Que hand and II pistol
in The other He was followed by MIR. Williams,
who vas demanding possession of the bird Con.
ner turned aud presented the pistol at Williams,
who to protect himself, got behind the CUTE post.
Conner then walked on down jefferson street.
w. came on over towads the post office. and fell
heavily few steps above il.
The origin of the difficulty. it seems. was TINT
young lady had given Conner verbal order on
Williams for parrot. Conner went to the house
of Mis, Dallman and demanded Of W illiam- that
bird. and upon his refusing To give it up, drew
pistol aud shot him, the ball taking effect in his
breast. Another account is, that Williams had
given the bird in question to the Young lady, which
she bad returned to him. Having expressed to
Conner n desire to re possess it, he went to the
house at Mrs Dnmam to get it. He went in and
took possession Of it. Williams. who was there at
dinner. came out aud demanded the bird and at
tempted to TAX" il, WHEN Conner drew and shot
him. He carried tn bird off with him aud threw
1t IN til" yard where the young lady lives
When he had shot Williams. he started and
walked deliberately down Jefferson street until he
came to third, into which he turned and went on
to Adams. In the mean time, n man was pursu-
ing him at distance, to watch his course until
the police and community could hear of the trag
edy aud assist in his arrest. When Conner had
reached Adams street. the alarm had spread aud
the officers of the law, and "A considerable number
of cii'zrns. were in pursuit. Finding that he was
pursued, he quickened hi, pace to "a run. Mr.
Sang ,terwh" was on horse back.approached him,
upon which, he (Conner) drew his pistol. hut as
he had the advantage account of the Bayou,
which he had now reached. he did not fire. By
tins time the crowd of ppr-uerS on foot gain
ing upon him. Mr.. w. G.. Matthias wa, in nd
vanre of Che rc>t. and when he came within dis
lance of twenty yards of him. drew pistol and
fired on him to nGnce hun to stop. Conner inn
medintely wheeled and commenced firing on Ma
thias. not de,isiiug until he had fired the third
shot. which entered the heart of Matthias. He
tell aud only survived n few minutes. Conner
again fled. but was caught by irishman who
happened 10 be in the direction he running.
lh' crowd now surrounded him, and young Ma
thias, the brother If the deceased. would. had be
been alowcd,have avenged his hrother's death nn
the spot. The crowd around, and those coming
up, began to cry aloud tor his speedy execution.
and, us the numrers increased, the excitement
grew the more intense, until it hecame eYdt MT the
life of the douhe murderer was in imminent peril.
AT this iuncllre. Mr.. Mynait.c city marshal. inter
po,ed,and by extraordinary resolution and firm
ness. rescued Conner, and conveyed him to tho
calnhonse.
We have no space to comment upon this horri
BILE affair. We attribute such tragedies in II
greht measure to the loose rein the law held.
over the passions of men, We attribute them
IN no slight degree to the refusal OF public opin
lou ~ damn man who gnes nowhere without II
brace of pistols bowie knife. Let no man
lightly dismiss this subject or these thick coming
tragedies from his mind, His veins have no lease
upon their blood: for that blood may dye the
pavement in moment when he thinks he is at
peace with all the world You can have no peace
with men who are fortified day after day with
deadly weapons.
Conner is IA daguerreotypist, and has been tor
some time working in the establishment of De-
shong, f. III Clark x CO. Williams was but rr
Gently in Memphis, and but little known of him
Matthias was q worthy citizen of this city.
Since the above written. Williams has died
The event took place about sundown las, even.
ing.