Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1857-03-12
The Lee and Hume difficulty at Washing
ington-- Death Of MIR. Hume.

4h6 Lee anu nun6 ulmculLy dL Wasn1ng
ington--- Death Of Mr. Hume.
Mr.. David Hume, a Wel!-kuown citizen of
Alexandria, attended the Presidents levee last
evening, in company with his daughter. While
slowly moving with the immense thrOng that
literally illed the entire first floor OF the Exec.
utive Mansion, a gentleman Immediately in
front Of him turned suddenly around, seized
him by the collar, and accused him Of picking
his pocket. AS might have been expected
very angry words ensued. which resulted in an
exchange Of cards, the accusing party proving
to be Col. d. c. Lee, who Sas for several
years held elerkship in the Pension Bureau.
About 9 O'Clock this morning. Mr.. Hume, in
company with Mr. Walker, the reading clerk
Of the House of representatives,, proceeded to
The Pension Office. and, as there was nothing
in his appearance indicative of hostile errand.
was, on request. conducted to the room oceu.
pied BY Col. Lee and several other clerks
Mr.. Hume Informed Col. Lee who be was.
briefly alluded to his social and business posi-
tiOn, and. after attempting to show the absur-
Aity Of connecting him with;pocket.pickng de.
manded a retraction Of the offensive charge
which had be.n made on the preceding even
ing This demand. it is stated, was made
twice, II not three times. Col. Lee refused 10
retract; whereupon Mr.. Hume struck him sew
eral times with cane, and, while thus assault
irg him. Col. L. drew pistol and fred Mr.
H. exclaimed II am shot, fell to the floor, and
expired in few minutes.
The evidence adduced before the Coroner's
Jury developed the following additional facts.
King z. Page testified to being IN an adioin-
ing room, and hearing noise as Of scuflng or
striking, and on entering. deceased was falling;
assisted in laying him back and opening his
clothes Col. Lee was walking back and for
ward, and said, "You must not blame me, gen.
tlsmen, did it iu selfdefence;" saw no dead.
ly weapon 10 the hands of the deceased.
The Coroner stated that no weapons were
found upon the body Of the deceased.
Solomon G. Heston saw the transaction al
the Presidents levee; was passing towards the
East room with lady, and near the doorway
Of the Presidents reception room came up in
The rear Of Col. Lee; noticed that he had one
! or two ladies with him; stood there for mo-
ment, the crowd being so great could not pass
gentleman coming from the reception room
met them and seemed to be trying to pass and
90 out; deceased was this gentleman; Col. Lee
stood rather facing deceased, and whilst in that
position saw COL Lee put bis hand on his pan
falcons pocket; he then spoke to deceased, and
at the sama moment stepped up TO him and COL
Jared him, saying, "YOu have my pocket
book" could not say if deceased had a lady
with him or not; Col Lee remarked further
that be should not let him 60 until he gave up
the pocket beck, and the Col. then cslel for as
sistance, turning his head towards witness; de-
ceased did not reply Immediately, but looked
surprised: bis FIRST reply, that witness heard.
was "For what reason do you make this
charge 2" Mr.. Lee did not seem 10 be par
tcularly excited; Lee said; "Sir, felt your
hand in my pocket, and saw you take it Out;'
deceased replied that be had not taken the
pOcket-bOok, and seemed surprised at the
charge, and Immediately inquired Of Col. Lee
his name; Col. Lee gave his name, and turning
to witness said, Here is gentleman who knows
me;' Colonel Lee still retained bis hold uPor
his coat during this conversation; witness said
to deceased that he knew Col. Lee; deceased
began to get little excited, manifesting SOM
feeling. and said to COL Lee, "Oome, go Will
ma" witness then passed Colonel Lee and tha
is all that he saw of the occurrence then.
After the examination OF several other Wit
uesses, the case was given to the jury, who, a
ter retiring for short time, brought in yer
diet that the deceased came to bis death 'Erou
the effect Of a pistol ball from pistol in th
hands Of Doddrige g. Les.'
The news Of Mr.. Hume's tragicsl end cause
e the most intense excitement In Alexandria.
). committee Of one hundred citizens reached th
; city about two OclOck. aud having obtained tt
:, body returned With it Immediately to Alexal
dria.
After firing the fatal shot. Col. Lee immed
l. ately surrendered himself to the civil author
ties,