Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-09-23


ordered twenty lashes.
As soon as the Lynchburg Extension shall be
completedA-which viii certainly not be later than
the 18th Of December dext-there will ne two
daly mail trains through from Lynchburg toGor-
donsyille, the frst morning train and the second
in the evening, both trains making close connec-
ton at Gordonsyillc with trains to Richmond and
Alexandria. ssas ~
DrunxRArE MuxDsa--TnE MURDERER IN JAIL.
We have TO rOoord this morning the foulest and
most deliberate attempt at murder that has
occurred in our city, within our recollection. On
Tuesdsy night last about halfpnst o'clock, u
man named John H. Melton, mailing from Louis
lana, and sojourning for the time ut the Exchange
Hotel. appeared at the clerks Office and demand
cd to know why he could he could not be waited
unon. Mr.. r. O. Simms of the clerks in at
tendance. asked him what was the matter-to
which Melton replied that he had ordered his din
ner to he brought To his room, but he could not
get il and that he had ordered his supper and
i had not been furnished. He then asked for his
bill saying he would leave the hotel; and when it
was furnished him, he threw it into Mr.. Simms'
face. Mr.. W. B. Hopkins, another OF the clerks,
saw that Melton was very much excited, and said
that there were three servants then waiting upon
him, aud that an order had boon sent to the din.
ning-room for his supper tn be furnished in 264,
the room then occupied by him. Notwithstanding
ued his temper and invited him to 60 to his room
telling him that his supper would be sent up. Mel
ton continued his abuse until Mr. Simms told him
he would have to call in the police and have him
and his baggage put into the street. he did not
conduct himself better. This remark seemed to
increase Melons excitement and he responded
that no one would put him or his baggage out of
the hotel. Mr. Hopkins then directed servant
to bring the baggage in No. 26t To- the Office, but
the order was not obeyed. Melton, after continu
inr his abuse for some time. went up to his room.
and while there wrote the following note:
..Dear Sir; You have said you would have mi
hag age put the street because called to know
wi mi bell WINS not anseerd. nm 10 see
bout it Done. ] shall wait until five Einnits AT
ter YOU receive this.
]. Ii. MELTON"
In about ten minutes nfter Melton lett the Of
fee, his bell rang violently, and MIR. Slmms sent
servant I'D to answer it. When the servant re-
turned he handed Mr.. S. the above note. and said
other servants were there to attend him. Mr.. S,
without reading the note laid it down.
Very soon after the negro handed Mr.. S. the
note, Melton appeared in the Office, and renewed
his offensive remarks. Mr.. Smms then told him
that he would have him put into the street. at
which Melton struck S. in the face with his hat,
and Mr.. S. smacked Melton's jaws. Melton at
at o-ce stepped back from the counter, Mr.. Simmo
being on the inner side, and ran his hand in his
pocket, as if 20 get q weapon. Mr.. Simms seeing
this movement. said to him, don't shoot me" at
the same time picking up small piece OF iron
used to turn of the gas and stepping from behad
the counter. As he did 80, Melton drew Derren-
ger pistol and fired upon him, the ball taking eff
feet about an inch and a-half above. and to the
right Of the naval passing through the abdomn-
al cavity and lodging in the kidney or bladder.
The moment the pistol was cred, Melton ran to
bis room, Looked himself in. threw the discharged
weapon into the street. and got into bed. Soon
Of t,a oh arrived and AMI ~
the room of the merderer. arrested him. When
he saw that he was in custody, he called the atten
tion of the officers the fact that his pistol was
loaded, and that he could not have shot any one.
The empty pistol. however, was fonnd, aud Melton
taken to the station house.
Mr. Simms, finding himself dangerously wound
ed, made the fact known, and Doctors Conway
and Peachy were called in to see him, but found
that his wound was exceedingly dangerous, and in
all probability would prove fatal
At an early hour yesterday morning. the Office
Of the Exchange Hotel. and the sidewalks between
that and the Ballard House, were completely
thronged with citizens, all anxously enQuring
the condition of the wounded man. Mr.. Sipims is
well known te all classes in our community, and
is 50 universally beloved that every seemed to
feel If dear friend had fallen by assassin >
hand. Being in the prime of life, and Of an iron
constitution, some few hoped that he might sur
vite tho wound until they heard that he had de
0I uHuer tile
he was then upon the very verge ef the grave had
sent for Alderman Caskie, and to him made his
dying declaration.
Abaut hsli. past o'cl"ck, while many persons
we're near Tho Exchange IInte the officers on their
way to G"urt passed by, having Melton in charge.
Ashe got opposite the crowd. with beinous smile
upon his cotintenaucc he waved his hand to them
AS il the llnol Of an nnofending feow-being
was not upon it--and by 40 doing came nigh
bringing down upon him sesf that fearful vengeance
which 10 occasionally yiited upon criminals by an
enragei p0I,n1uce. Scores Ut young men said "let
as hang him at once." aud hundreds Of others
would have r%aliy j'anea 10 the summary execu-
uon had bur single daring spirit led on the
friends af iA poor sufferer. HAo was then almost
IA the aSnhics uf death.
Arriving at Cont. Melton was placed in the
erim"ai dock, and reemed to I've teartuily agitated
" tue excited throng around hin,- lie appears ia
ee about forty.fve years Of age. And his face indi
Gates Gates vindietvenssa nnforgirensss. and revenge
lie is said To be pisnter in Low isin,a. and man
VI mems. He arrived here abou< zig weeks since,
and intended purchasing number # servants for
"w own use. After resaining . short time, he
Visited the mountains Of Virginia. and while al
.,e White SULPHUR inaa1tea a eantleman. wht
xnnckea him dowa. He has heen n drinking
''"e ever since he came 10 R.ohm'iDd, and there
seems tn he 80 doubt that he istoxicated al
sae time he shot Sir. Simms. though he had sense
fnmo"gh, after having the first controversy in the
Saee' u 20 to his room and load his pistols. and