The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-08-28

rHt noMIelpB AT WATERMELON spRlNos

In this city, where the parties are well known Imme
diately upon the death of Mr. Carver jury of inquest
was summoned at the Springs, N FAINT esq Justice
of the peace acting coroner and as many of the wit
nesses resided distance and the friends Of both
ties desired it, it determined to give the case full
Investigation Isham, Keith, esp justice of the peace
attended the coroner In the Investigation
w ii Payne, esq, Commonwealth attorney, opened
the case and examined the witnesses on behalf Of the
prosecution H. e. Scott and d, II. Shackelford esqs,
appeared for the prisoner
From the following summary of the evidence taken in
the case, indebted to the Warrenton Wing whose
editor one of the jury of inquest
Tomas q. Smh, of Norfolk, sworn Deposed that he
had made the acquaintance of the prisoner weeks
ago had since then become intimate with him as gem
temen generally do at watering places had heard of the
difficulty between prisoner and deceased which resulted
in their leaving the State to fight duel On the night
of tho homicide about two hours before the occurrence
had been informed by prisoner that hc believed that de-
ceased from threats made would attack him that night
advised prisoner to arm himself which he did Just be-
fore the ball was over went to his IN the same
building in which the deceased ~ he passed eceas
eds invited by deceased to take drink not
knowing deceased declined, when deceased cursed the
party Green's friends witness took no further notice
of the deceased but went to his room. In short time
after Mr. Green the prisoner, up said that eiecas
ed had just denounced hun and that he wishing to have
no disturbance with deceased had up without no
lisutS, WILLINGNESS
ness room all night to avoid difficulty with deceased.
prisoner was then armed After the lapse of about half
an hour and supposng from the lull and silence down
stairs that Carver had gone into his room and that
Green could then so down without meeting Carver wit
told prisoner that they had better 40 down to his
prisoner room in the other building and 20 to bed
that he would go down with him; that as the de-
ceased had apparently become quiet and had left the
passage, they would not meet him neither of them
had the slightest idea of meeting deceased otherwise
would not have come down |; deceased was not drunk
put hAl been drinking; prisoner perfectly sober
Alter wiss and prisoner had started from prisoners
rocn in going down the last fight of stairs prisoner
being before accosed by deceased who stood at the
bottom of the steps, u the following language There
is the God damned scoundrel that am waiting for
come down, for intend to whip YOU" Prisoner kent
on his way when reaching the foot of the steps he
seized by deceased in the collar when the icntv
occurred which ended In the death of deceased thinks
they were fighting but short time-not more than q
minute is certain that deceased struck prisoner first
saw prisoner strike home with the knife; thinks only
one blow struck by Green when separated deceased
fell dead, the knife having penetrated the heart had
heard deceased that night going up to his room
that he could and wound whip Jimmy Green and all the
other Green's except two little boys the deceased ap
peared to be dangerous desperate man of great ner
sonal strength had doubt but that he Intended To
use weapons Green his former threats and attack
indicated deceased had his coat off only his person
was not examined for weapons neither was his room
his friend and relation, Mr. Ratclife who rooned with
him. took charge of his person and clothes instantly
believed that prisoner armed had heard that Mr.
Ratce had reused to allow his room and trunk to be
searched
Coss-eyamaea Entertained no doubt Of the intention
OF ucceaseu 10 attack prisoner with weapons from what
nc heard and advised prisoner to prepare himself which
he accordingly did believed deceased to have been
dangerous man, and had not cultivated his acquaintance
further than an introduction had repeatedly refused to
drink with deceased when invited
John y, Fa,l sworn Game up into the passarp with
prisoners when oppositc deceeds heard deceased
denouncc prisoner as damned scoundrel and said he
intended to whip HIM prisoner then armed expect
ing an attack but did not notice remark of deceased
either by word or gesture after stopping for minute or
two to hear what deceased saying prisoner went on
his way up the steps into the of Mr. Smith of Nor
folk after prisoner went up stairs all went into de-
room there heard deceased say again that he
could and would whip Jimmy Green after the lapse of
ten or fifteen minutes deceased went into the passage
again; saw prisoner coming down the steps deceased
was at the foot OF the steps and heard him say address
ing the prisoner 'Iherc is the damned rascal now that
am looking for, and advanced towards him prisoner
did not stop but met deceased who caught hold of prs
oner and struck him heard prisoner make any
threats on the contrary he earnestly desired carry
no further; prisoner at the time expressed tho firm
intention of defending himself at all hazards il attacked
again by deceased because he apprchensvo that de-
ceased would dangerous means he had threatened
to do.
r. W. Ashton sworn.--Went into deceascd's room last
night before the deceased was under the in
fuence of liquor heard deceased say that he wanted
none Of Green's friends in his room deceased also said
that the proprietor wanted Green kicked from the
Springs and that he intended to do it pulled of his
coat and went to the bottom of the steps when witness
left; was not present when the fight commenced but
came in before it was over after the fight was over
heard prisoner say he did the act in prisoner
had expressed fears of an attack from Carver before said
he dd not want to get in any fights with him and
would be glad if deceased would let him alone
Grayscn Tyler sworn-Knows nothing of the immediate
gbt was IN Carycrs room when Green passed up stairs
heard Carver curse Green while Green in the passage
near deceased door prisoner took notice OF deceased
and went up stairs after prisoner left deceased went into
the passage, clappng his hands and growing like a
chicken cock, swearing that he could and would whp
Green witness left deceased ROOM and aft n remaining
down stairs ten or fifteen minutes up when the
fight had commenced, and was nearly over
Walter III. Rah3iBe sworn. Came about l. o'clock
from the ball room roomed with the deceased when
got to my roo heard deceased say he could and would
whip Green or every of the Greens thinks deceased
in liquor deceased caught hold Of him. but not in
anger after he let him CO. G. went into the passage
Green had gone UP into Smiths room when came in
but saw q. when nc down the steps Carver was
at the bottom of the staircase heard Carver curse some
one which proved to be Green thinks both struck
gethcr cannot say which struck the first blow took
the dead body and took everything from him deceased
had no weapon nor had he any while at the Springs
had difficulty with deceased himself, few days before
but that was made up, cousin TO Carver; II
Carver sent to Washington for pistol he did not know
it, but ought to have done did not refuse to have
C.'s trunk examined, that he remembered heard Car
say that he had fought duel Tor dues and killed
man knew nothing Of IL of his own knowledge.
A W. Morton sworn Knew nothing of the difficult
ties after the parties from Washington told Car
yer that he 81 of the house. and that he must
have no difficulty with Green Carver said he did not
slider himself guest but promised have any fur