The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-03-10
CHARLOTTE, MECKLENBURG COUNTY, NORTH CAR
TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1857.
FATAL AFFRAY IN WASHINGTON.

Saturday morning, whlc&resuited IN the
! death of David Hume, a prominent citizer
of Alexandria, Va, by Ythe~band of Col. D.
C. Lee, formerly of Lodd county Va, but
for several years sl400 clerk in the PEN
sion Bureau at Washington, and a member
of the Council Of that city:
1t appears that Mr.. Hume, well-known
citizen of Alexandria. attended the Presi-
dents levee Friday evening, in company
with his daughtett nd 1--WE believe) another
young lady. While slowly moving with the
immense throng that literally filed the en-
tire FIRST floor OF the Executive Mansion, a
gentleman mediately in front of him turn
ed suddenly around, seized him by the col
lar, and accused him of picking his pocket.
As might have been expected, very angry
words ensued which resulted i'll an exchange
of cards, the accusing party proving to be
Col. d. c. Lee, who has for several years
held a clerkship in the Pension Bureau.
The Star of Saturday contains the fol-
lowing evidence given at the coroner's jury !:
Solomon G.. Heaton saw the transaction
ii the Presidents levee; was passing towards
the East room with a 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 moment, the crowd being
SO great could not pass; a gentleman COM
ing from the reception room met them and
seemed to be trying to pass US and go out !;
deceased was this gentleman; Col. Lee
stood rather facing deceased, and while in
his pantaloons pocket he then spoke to
deceased, and at the same moment stepped
up to him and collared him, saying, You
have my pocket book - could not say if
deceased had lady with him or not; Col.
Lee remarked further that he would not let
him go until he gave up the pocket book,
and the Colonel then called for assistance,
turning his head towards witness deceas-
cd did not reply Immediately, but looked
surprised ; his first reply, that witness heard
was: ''For what reason do you make this
charge 7" Mr.. Lee did not seem particular
ly excited Lee said: ''Sir | felt your
hand in my pocket and saw you take it out;''
deceased replied that he had not taken the
pocket book. and seemed surprised at tho
charge, and Immediately enquired of Col.
Lee his name !; Col Lee gave his name and
turning to witness said here is a gentleman
who knows me Col. Lee still retained his
hold upon his coat during this conversation;
witness said to deceased that he knew Col.
Lee; deceased began to get little excited,
some feeling, and said to Col.
Lee, "Come, go with ne - witness then
passed Col. Lee, and that is all he saw of
the occurrence then; came up to the Office
about 8 this morning, to room adjoining;
soon after came into this room; found Col
Lee made inquiry how the affair terminal
cd last night he was relating the circum-
stance the chief clerk, Mr.. Cole, of the
Pension Office, opened the door, came in,
ately two gentlemen came into the room;
Col. Lee was standing by the desk at that
time two or three other gentlemen were in
the room recognised the deceased as one
of the gentlemen who entered Col. Lee
passed towards the door from his desk, ad-
somewhat towards the gentlemen,
or in the direction of the door; think de-
ceased remarked, you are the gentleman |
met last night at the Presidents, and ac
cused me of taking your pocket book en-
1uiring at the same time if he recognized
nim Col. Lee replied that he did recogniz-
ed him distinctly; they entered into con-
Tersation, and deceased undertook to ex-
plain why he should not be accused of com
hitting an act of that kind; remarked that
nc had lived an upright man for fortyfive
years, and had probably given away more
money than Col Lee was worth, and ask
I'd what motives he could have in picking
lis pocket-also, if he still reiterated his
charge; Col. Lee answered that he did re-
terate his charge; they stood facing each
,tIcr at that time deceased had a black
cane, with a bent handle, in his hand; "a
cane was identified by witness as the one }
deceased struck Lee over the head as
many as three times Col. Lee retreated,
ieccase at the same time striking him with
4 cane heard the report Of pistol; after
wards saw the pistol in hands of Col. Lee
deceased fell over and exclaimed that he
vas dead man Colonel Lee stood lean
ng forwards at the same time he fired, with
rs back towards the deceased; thinks he
must have reached his hand around and
ired under his arm Col. Lee told witness
his morning that after witness left him at
he levee a gentleman touched him and said:
You have mistaken your man." telling
lim who deceased was, that he was Mr..
Hume of Alexandria.
King F. Page testified to being in an adj
dining room, and hearing a noise as of
cutting or striking, and on entering, de-
ceased was falling; assisted in laying him
,acl1 and opening his clothes: Col. Lee
vas walking back and forward, and said |
Y on must not blame me, gentlemen. I
lid it in self defence :" saw no deadly weap- |