Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-04-22

cnhr2e OF forgery, anu anotner awaiting tue iedo'
sition of the Governor of North Carolina, on q
charge of negro stealing.-C'lumdia GUARDIAN.
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Assault on Hon. Burton Craige.
The Washington Union of Tuesday gives the
following account Of the difficulty already noticed
in our telegraph column:
Our readers may remember that on the 9th IN
slant Senator Biggs, of North Carolina, called the
attention Of the Senate to some extracts from a
book entitled "The Impending Crisis of the South"
quoted in the published speech of Senator Wilson.
The senator went on to show that the author OF
this book was ga dishonest, degraded, and dis.
graced man, and although-much to be regretted
a native of North Carolina, yet he is an apos-
tate son, ruined in fortune and character, and ca
tering to a diseased appetite at the North to OBJ
tain q miserable living by SANDERS upon the land
of his birth. 1 deeply regret CONTINUED Gov.
Biggs) that the senator from Massachusetts has,
by a reference, so dignifed the creature as to rem
der necessary this exposure. Such is Mr.. Helper,
of North Carolina, author of 1.-THE Impending
Crisis of the South" alias Mr.. Heller, once Of
North Carolina, but who has left the land Of his
birth for the good of his State.
1t is supposed that Mr.. Heller alias Helper, was
Mt once sent for, and this morning he was vapor'
ing about the departments making threats of wLat
he would do could he discover Mr.. Bigg's inform
ant. After the adjournment of Congress, he made
his appearance in the hall of the House of Repre-
sentatives, with other individuals who were pro-
baby his confederates) and going behind the chair
of Hon. Burton Craige, commenced an impertl-
nent questioning. 1t is asserted by those near by
that Mr.. Craige denied having furnished the in
formation, and referred him to Senator Biggs,
whereupon Heller alias Helper, became abusive,
and an alteration ensued. The following account
of what transpired was furnished us by the Hon.
Augustus r. Wright. of Georgia, on eyewitness:
Approaching the Speakers desk in front, MIR.
Craige sits Immediately to the left Of the aisle, on
the front tier Of seats. My seat is next to MIR.
Craige's. on the same row just to his left. The
death of Thomas II. Benton, ex-senator from Mis-
souri,, had been announced q few moments before,
and the house adjourned to permit the attendance
of members at his funeral. Mr.. Craige was still
in his seat. I was still in mine reading the edito-
rial scraps in the morning Globe.
My attention was attracted by q toll, dark.skin-
ned man, with rather a sinister, savage look, ask
ing Mr.. Craige, very abruptly, if he had made a
certain statement-I did not understand distinctly
what.
The conversation proceeded, mildly upon the
part of Mr.. Craige. A few seconds satisfied me
that the man either intended to attack Mr.. Craige,
or compel the member to strike him. This caused
me to scan him instantly from head to foot and to
compare him, physically, with Mr.. Craige. l was
satisfied the latter could whip him. Ibid not like
the lurking eye of the stranger, however, and was
pretty sure | saw the mark Of a bowie knife or
pistol under his coat.
The idea of assassination, like a fash of light
ming, impressed itself upon my mind. l deter
mined to take part in the rencontre, if necessary
to prevent it. I should have gone for the Ser
geant.at arms, but was afraid to leave, as q COLI
sion was evidently approaching. I rose from my
seat silently and went round Mr.. Craige's seat
and took my seat just at the side Of the intruder,
intending to seize his arm if he attempted to draw
o weapon.
Casting my eye around, I saw two or three men,
not members, and strangers to me, in members
seats close by, watching the progress of the diff
Guilty. They may have been there accidentally.
My opinion was and is they were there by design.
I felt o crisis was approaching Of great danger to
the member from North Carolina, perhaps to my
self. I would have gone for the Sergeant, again
thinking of it, but the difficulty was manifestly
precipitating, and I thought it would not do to
leave him. The intruder used some offensive cpl.
tibet about "slayeholders - I cannot remember it.
Mr.. Craige said, much excited, "Leave here, sir
I will not be insulted in this place by any such
puppy" or words of some such purport. The
man %retorted, with menaciDg attitude, "You are q
slaveholding coward" or words to that effect. Mr..
Craige struck him, and was struck about the same
time in return, the stranger fighting with his fists,
contrary to my expectations. Fighting, they NOV.
ed towards the Speakers desk. followed watch
ing closely for the weapon, intending to seize him
if he attempted to draw one. I was morally Ger.
tain Mr.. Craige was unarmed, though did not
know the fact.
The raan fought with more energy than I antici.
pated, but Mr.. Craige was evidently getting the
advantage of him, when he let go Mr.. Craige
thought then, and still think, to get his weapon.
1 sprang forward to seize him, but some other = n
tleman was ahead of me, and they were instantly
separated. I followed the intruder to the guard
room, and saw him disarmed of o bowie knife and
revolver. The whole scene lasted but q few mo-
ments. I thought then, and still think, the object
of the intruder was to bring on IN assault, and
then assassinate. So far as what occurred IN the
House of Representatives, it was one Of the most
determinately wicked and unpro7oked assaults l
ever witnessed.
Heller alias Helper, was Immediately taken in
custody by one of the assistant door-keepers, who
delivered him over to to Sergeant-at-arms. He
WIS found to have on his person o Colts revolver
and o bowie-knife.
Justice Arnold held n preliminary examination,
at which the prisoner was released on bail until 4
o'clock, Senator Hale becoming security for his ap-
r~earance in the sum of $500. The Hon. Mr.. Craige
was notified to appear, but declined prosecuting
or taking any notice of the fellow, and he was re
leased on giving security to keep the peace, Mont
gomery Blair, Esq, becoming his bail.