The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-11-14
HORRIBLE AFFAIR.

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press, that Lewis B. Norwood, Esq, an inau
ential and widely known merchant of Gran
vile county, N. c, lad come to his death OF
the night of Tuesday, the 2ist inst, in ,
sudden and mysterious manner. About hi.
usual hour Of retiring, 8 o'clock, his overseel
left him in his chamber. He was then in hi,
usual health and condition, both of mind and
body. Some two hours after, his negroe,
reported to the nelghbors that he had fallen
in the fire and had been burned to DEATH
The neighbors Immediately assembled, and
found him corpse. Burns upon different
parts of his person we're discovered, but his
hair was not singed even, and his clothing
was without scorch Under these circum.
stances ii was supposed that the burns must
have been scalds from hot water. His two
little daughters were asleep in the chamber
but Of course could tell nothing of the sud.
den and mysterious manner, in which they
had been deprived of their protector.
An examination having been instituted
suspicion rested upon hisnegroes, and it is
now ascertained that he was foully and
shockingly murdered by two of the slaves
From such facts as we haze been enabled to
gather, it seems that negro man belonging
to him had for some time sosented himself
Mr.. Norwood suspected th.t two of his ne.
groes were harboring the nnaway, and to
prevent continuance Of tn, practice, had for
several nights previous to his murder locked
up the two suspected, in an Clubhouse on his
premises. On the fatal night, however, he
was stunned by blow, and hrge pot of
boiling water prepared for the purpose was
poured through funnel down nis throat,
until life became extinct. lie wa, then con.
veyed to his chamber, and the neighbors ap-
prised of the death, as we have stated above.
We understand two of the negroes have been
arrested, and are now in Jail. Others proba-
bly, will be implicated as participants in the
diabolical outrage. It is one Of the most cruel
and atrocious murders, that We have ever
been called upon to record; and we sincerely
trust that the fiendish perpetrators may pay
the penalty of the hdrrid crime by forfeiture
of their lives.
The deceased was well known in Peters.
burg-especially with the mercantile portion
Of the community. He is represented to us
as having been an esdmable gentleman, good
neighbor, a kind and humane master, and his
loss will be seriously felt 10 the neighborhood
where he lived, and was universally respected.
ATTEMPTED SUICIDE IN A CHURcH.-Some
days ago We mentioned that man had at.
tempted to shoot himself in a Methodist
Church in Philadelphia. The following is a
more full account of he affair, rs we find it
in letter from the Rev. C. Cooke, the pas-
tor of the church where the scene occurred:
"Just as | was in TIE application of my ser.
mon, September 9TH, when deep solemnity
seemed to rest upon the congregation, n man
entered the door opposite the middle aislk,
and depositing his hal in pow, walked de.
liberately into the altar, and taking his posi-.
ton in front OF the communion table, drew a
live or six barrel revolver from beneath his
coat! UP to that moment ] had continued
to speak, though the movements of the intru.
der had evidently COTTON the attention of the
people. AS he drew his pistol out, some
supposed he was mad man about to shoot
into the congregation; and what others
thought of, it is difficult to tell. Some fell
to the floor TO be screened from bullets; some
were petrited with fear. many rushed for the
doors, and many frightened females and
children screamed without stint of lungs
The poor fellow, however, had no intention
of injurng any one but himself.
"As stood Immediately above him, saw
him distinctly turn his pistol and place the
muzzle against bis left breasl Fortunately
for him and others the cap mashed without
exploding, and before he had time to rear.
range for the fulfment of his suicidal pur.
pose, the deadly weapon was taken from
him. Every barrel was loaded; and two of
them doubly so. He had been member of
the church, and some fifteen months since
had fallen by the power of strong drink
He was the first to report his fall to me, and
| did not expose him. For year he gave
evidence os n genuine reformation. He has
recently fallen again and doubtless under
sense Of shame and remorse, more than half
demented, selected the altar of God on which
to immediate himself rs desperate atone.
ment to the church! He is now in hospit.
al. God be merciful to him and his family!"