The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1858-04-20
ATTACK ON MIR. CRAIGE.

ATTACK ON MR.. CRAIGE.
We find the following notice of difficult
ty in the House of Representatives on the 18th
inst, between the Hon. Burton Craige and man
named Helper who formerly lived in Salisbury in
this State. Helper has been engaged in furnish
ing the abotonsts with materials to assist them in
disappearing the South and her institutions
Senator Wilson recently quoted Helper in speech
before the Senate, when the Hon. Asa Biggs ex-
posed the true character of the fellow in the same
way that he exposed by the Press of this State
short time since. In consequence of this Help
er attacked Mr. Craige. We are very sorry that
Mr. Cr,ige was not allowed to thrash bin as he de-
served, and which he would have done if he had
been let alone. But here is the account as we
find it
A DISTURBANCE IN THE HOUSE OF REpREsEN-
TATIvEs-Monday, after the adjournment of
the House Of Representatives, the Hon Mr. Craigc
Of North Carolina. and named Helper, for
meriy of the same State, and author of an abolition
work called 'Ihc Impending Crisis had slight
personal collision in the hall. The States has
the following version of the ARRAY:
A member who was sitting not far from Mr.
Craige, states that conversation of SO marked
some time between the two, when, finally Mr.
Craige told Helper to 90 away, and that he wished
to have no difficulty with him. Hell per made some
insolent reply and Mr. Crage reached out his hand
as if to seize him. This Helper resented by
blow or an attempt at blow.
A fsticuf lasting for minute or two, but end
ing in material injury to either party, ensued
The rcncOntre commenced in the central aisle, and
ended in the space in front of the clerks desk
Sba, in, md cd tha bo1l
Acco :ng to the Star, Mr. Helper felt himself
acgrieved by some recent remarks of Mr. Biges in
the Senate. 1t appears a northern Senator, i'll
speech quoted from Helpers work something cor
corning slavery at the South whereupon Senator
Biggs INDUCED in remarks not very complimenta-
nv to the author This induced Helper to endeavor
to ascertain who had thus ''postcd" Mr. Biggs, and
as Mr. Cragc came from the same district where he
(Hclper) formerly resided i'll North Carolina, he
approached him under the conviction that he
the informant.
Helper was taken before magistrate by the SER
geant atars, and in the afternoon held to bail to
keep the peace Senator Hale and Montgomery
Blair appeared as his counsel. Upon searching
Helper Immediately after his arrest, pistol and
bowieknifc were found on his person.
The Washington Star gives the following &C
count of the affair."
"Afcr the adjournment of the House of Representa-
tives the members generally remain sometime in their
seats engaged in conversation. The rules of
course then enforced and several persons strolled
in to converse with members, crafty their curiosity
One ofthesc. Mr. elfer alias Helper author of work
called The impending Crisis, took seat next to that
of Hon. Burton Craige of North Carolina, and COM
mcnccd animated conversation with him in relation
to an expose made of his (AIr Is) character in the Sen
ate a few days ago, by Senator BggS.
That expose called out by Northern member hav-
inc quoted from Helpers book something concerning
social life the South and Senator Biggs in reply read
IL long account of Helpers conduct while resident of
Salisbury, n. c.. in the course Of which he accused HIM
of ishonestv Helper endeavOred to ascertain who had
thus 'posted Mr. Biggs and as Mr. Craige came from
that district he approached him under the conviction
that he the informant.
His language assumed very abusive character, when
Mr. c. pushed him away, and refused to converse any
longer Upon this Helper struck Crage when the lat
ter caught hi and threw him over his desk and would
probably handled him severely but for the inter
ference of others
On being released, Helper renewed his abusive Ian
puage when he taken in custody by George Thorn
as ESD of Philadelphia of the Assistant DoOrkcep-
ers, who delivered him over to Mr. Glosbrenner, Ser
geantat-arms, and he was placed in the guard house
Subsequently, Justice Arnold held preliminary ex-
animation which terminated in releasing the prisoner
until o'clock to-day, under $500 BAIL Hon j. p. Hale
having become his security. On Helpers person were
found revolver, of Colts improved patent and hand
boweknfc- These are still retained by the mag
istrate.
His purposc was no doubt attack by Mr. c.,
and then use his weapons but the strength and activity
of his opponent prevented his carrying out his design
We find another version of the affair in the
Washington Union. After Helper commenced
talking to Mr. Craige in an excited manner, he was
ordered off, but continued to stay, when Mr. Crage
started away At this time Helper called him
slave-holding coward, when Mr. Craige struck him,
and it is pity he did not mash his teeth out fer
ever Helper was arrested, but Mr. Craige refusing
to appear against him, he released by giving
bond to keep the peace.
It is said that Mr. Crage acted with much calmness,
and that his course entirely approvedby his colleagues
EGg- Rev Francis L. Hawks and Henry ". Mil
Ter are to deliver Orations at Newbern the goth
inst. on the occasion of the celebration Of the
pletion of the Atlantic Railroad. The public are