Southern sentinel. [volume] (Plaquemine, Parish of Iberville [La.]) 1848-1858, 1857-03-14
A Fatal and Curious Affair.

A Fatal and Curious Affair.
The Washington Union relates the follow-
ing fatal and curious occurrence:
Mr.. David Hume, a well-known citizen Of
Alexandria, attended the Presidents levee last
evening, in company with his daughter and
1--WE belieVe) another young lady. While
slowly moving with the immense throng that
literally filled the entire first floor of the
Executive 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 has for
several years held a c~lerkship in the Pension
Bureau.
About nine o'clock this morning, Mr.. Hume,
in company with Mr.. Walker, the reading
clerk of the House of Representatives, pros
ceeded to the Pension Office, and, as there
was nothing in his appearance indicative Of a
hostile errand, was, on request, conducted TO
the room occupied by Col. Lee and several
other clerks. Mr.. Hume informed Col. Lee
who he was, briefly alluded to his social and
business position. and, after attempting 10
show the absurdity of connecting him with
pocket~picking, demanded a retraclion of the
offensive charge which had been made on the
preceding evening. This demand, it is stated,
was made twice, if not three times. Col. Lee
refused to %relract; whereupon Dir. Hume
struck him several times with n cane, and,
while thus assauitiDg him, Col. L. drew u
pistol and fred. Mr.. II. exclaimed, Al am
shot," fell to the floor and expired in a few
minutes.
The Coroncr's jury. after hearing a number
of witnesses, brought in q verdict that the de-
ceased came to his death I" from the effect of a
pistol ball from a pistol in the hands Of Dodd-
ridge C. Lee"
The news of Dir. llume's tragical end
caused the most intense excitement in Alex
andria. A committee of one hundred citizens
reached this city about two o'clock, and having
obtained the body, returned with it immediate
ly to Alexandria.
After firing the fatal shot, Col. Lee imme-
diately surrendered himself TO the civil au-
thorities.
The Star represents Mr.. IlumE TO be a
gentleman Of means, noted for his beiug
governed by a serupulous sense Of p~ropriety
in all his conduct through life, for his active
benevolence, and, indeed, for the possession Of
just such traits of character as secure for one
the confidence and regard Of his feIlow-citi~
zens. He was of the well-known family Of
Humes, of Fauqnier. He was a widower
about As, with four daughters, two Of tlem
grown.
Mr.. Lee is also an aged man Of famii',
says the SAME paper, and a member Of the
Common Council.
The Pocte'- Book Found The National Nt-
telligencer of the I'd, says:
The poeket.book. abont which. assa n~nclens,
this fatal transaction has gathered. was brought
on Saturday to the examining magistrate. 1t
appears that Dir. w. F. Darby, u merchant of
Georgetown, discovered such an article in bis
coatopocket on his return from the leype, and
which was not his own; but, hearing of 4 t
homicide next das, thought perhaps it might
be the pocket>bonk in question. Taking with
him Two OF the leading and best known mpr-
chants in Georgetown TO vonch for His res
pectability, Mr. Darby repaired othe Justices
Office, when tle article WAS identified by Mr..
Lee.
What a lesson against rashness, bnth in
making and resisting charges Of wr0ng-doing!
What a commentary on the lack Of a little
patience to await the clearing up Of Tempo
rarily obscure circumstances.
If Mr.. DARBY had advertised the pocket
book as soon as he found 1t in his pocket, the
death Of HUME probably might not have oc-
Cured. 1t is a curious affair all round. Mr..
LEE has been discharged from the Pension
Office.