The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-12-02
The Attempted Assassination Of
Gen, InCksOn-A Reuiini iseence.

Most readers are we'll acquainted with the
circumstances Of the attempt of a crazy mau
named Lawrence, reoideut Of Georgetown,
d. c., to assassinate General Jackson, while
he vas President and at the Capitol to attend
the funeral services Of Hon. Warren r. Har
ris, distinguished member Of Congress from
South Carolina. The editor OF the Savan
nah (Ga.) Nssbs reVlves the history OF the
event. which wecopy for the bene6t of the
younger portion of our. readers, who OF that
time, were not on the 6eld OF political action:
The funeral procession, in which were the
President and heads Of departments, foreign
Ministers, Senators and Representatives,
was passing from the Hall of Representatives
to the eastern portico. General Jackson,
leaning on the arm of Hon. Levi Woodbury.
the Secretary OF State. was near the head of
the procession, Immediately in the rear Of
the mourners, among whom were several la
dies Of Mr.: Davis family. When the mourn
ers had reached the porticoi and just as the
President passed out Of the green door lead.
! ing to it, Lawrence stepped from behind one
of the columns Of the Portico, where he had
| concealed himself, and instantly without q
word, presented a large horse pistol within
three feet of the Presidents breast, and ex.
ploded the cap. Quick as thoisht General
Jackson raised his hickory cane and aimed
blow at the ussassin's head, but, missing
| him, Lawrence snapped the second pistol be-
| fore he was sieEed and borne down to the
ground by those near him. Gen. Jackson,
without retreatiDg an inch, lad raised his
cane for the second blow, when it was seiz.
ed by those Immediately around him, who
protecting him from further assault with thei:
persons, urged him to retire into the rotunda,
which he vehemently refused TO do. On
being informed that it was probably con-
j. spiracy, and that there might be more than
one assassin, he still refused to be led from
the portico, and expressed his determination
70 maintain his position where he stood.
/ The scene pvecented was most exciting.
Ladies fuin,ing and screaming--the crowd
composed of the distinguished men OF the
country, hurriedly gathered around the Presi-
dent, surprise depicted in every ccuntcnance
the rush for the would be assassin, and the
exertions of those who had taken him in Gus.
tody, to prevent him from being torn TO
pieces by the excited multitude the Babel OF
voices--altogether made most novel and
impressive spectacle. The Sergeant.at.orms
having removed the prisoner, order was soon
restored, and the fuaeral obsequies were
concluded.
The pistols used on the occasion were
large horse pistols and found to be heavily
loaded. The weather at the time was fogg,
, and dattp, and the pistols having been load
ed for several days and kept in his carpen
ter's chest, while he was awaiting fayora
Bile opportunity for the accomplishment o
his purpose, the powder in the tubes had ob
I sorbed sufficient moisture to prevent ignition
Q from the caps. To that circumstance alone
7 under Providence, the country owes tn
8 preservation of the life of President Jackson