Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1859-08-04
4aIIp @nIon ( AmtrIfan



Horrible Affair IN Phtkaaeipnfa- -Desper-
ate vieience of a Mailman.
WILLIAM cOLros, a orazy man, attacked and
dangerously stabbed man in Read street, Phils-
delphia, on the 18th uit. The unfortunate man who
was stabbed was Mr. CHARLES KEEN, porter in the
store Of E. H. PAYNE, in Arch street He received
two wounds. one in the left breast and near the
heart and the other in the abdomen near the groin
JoHk 7. PIoGOTr, a merchant, was also stabbed by
the madman in the esy part of the arm, and received
two other slight wounds. The Philadelphia Ledger
Of the 2sth has the following particulars Of the eK
citing affair rae
II appears that the supposed crazy man. Willism
Cotton. is tailor, and worked for Mr. H. Steven
sou No 1O7 North Fourth street His conduct for
some time past attracted the attention Of Mr. Ste
venson and al one time it was thought advisable
take the unfortunate to the hospital but as he
attended to his business, that Of cutting for MIR. g.
the idea was net carried oRt. For some days past
Cotton has talked about persons seeking for him,
and early yesterday morning he was ADVISED 10 20
to q physician by s brother OF Mr.. g., which he
promised 20 do. About ten O'clock Colt0n went to
Mr. StevensOn's store sud a. ked the young man elf
q good many pc, pie had not been killed up the
street" The young man replied that bad
been killed except or two by the railroad. Col
ton after remarking that she thought q good m an
persons had been killed, and that it had set him
crazy" left the store.
A short time aflerward Cotton was seen on the
Southwest of Fourth ana Rice streets, pick
ing at packing box with pair Of chop shears,
NTH blads six inches in length Ia moment he
left this place and went to the nortbe corner in
front of Mr.. Robert Shoemaker's drug store Here
Mr.. Shoemaker's son William young man about
twenty years OF age, delivering goods 10 the
drsyman, and while doing SO Cotton come up, and
struck him along side Of the head William shoe
- ~ ~ utro i'm
why he struck him. Cotton, without replying, pull
ed the shears from his pecket, and with them open
made 1t Shoemaker, and the young man ran i, to
the Store followed By Cotton; but in an instant Col.
ton appeared to change his mind and went out
On reaching the pavement he attacked Mr.. Charles
Keen, who was standing near the curbstone, and
during the struggle Keen fell into the gutter and
on being picked up he was found 10 be stabbed 81
described above. By this time the excitement be-
came very great people running from every direc-
tiOn, and the cry Of "erazy killing people, ere
ated panic among The crowd. Women and children
screamed and men sought refuge in stores This
noise and cnnfusion brought from the basement o.
building on the corner a stout man, named VIM
Bessinger, who was delivering ice
As soon as he saw Cotton fourishing the shears
and attempting 10 stab every one near he rushed
at him and caught him, but not before Bessnger
received q severe cut on his thumb. He then went
to his ice-eart for the purpose of getting his axe
with which he intended TO knock Cotton down
Outs IN the meaQllIle, Isaac mymAu. q reSIdonl
Of the twfnty fourth ward, who was in Mr.. Shoe
makers flore, picked from the counter marble
muller, weighing FIVE pounds, and threw il at Col
ton. The muller was well aimed, and il STRUCK
Cotton with such force upon the head that it feleC
him to the ground, inhicting severe wound. On
Of the officers Of the sixth ward then arrested Col
ton and had him conveyed to the station house II
Cherry street, where he remained for some time
without speaking TO any one. In the course of al
hour he commenced to talk, though in very wild
and incOherent manner. On being asked "if h,
knew what he had done?" he shook his head lie
was then asked ''Rhere he had been?' to which ht
q replied that 'he did not knOW--some men were
chasing him." Mr.. Keen, thu man so badly stab
bed, was taken to Mr.. Shoemakers store, where BIZ
suffered terribly. After some stimulant5 we're given
him he revived sufficiently TO tell his and place
of residence and also TO ask "Why the man haC
stabbed him" He was then removed to the Penn
sylvsnia Hospital
His family resides at CSC Parrish street Mr.
Piggott was on his way to his store when attacked
and after having the flow Of blood from his wounded
arm stopped, was taken to bis home, at 1913 Greer
street. in a weak condition, but very great dange
Is apprehended, though some time will eapse beor
he will be able to IT, Cotton is single man
and about 40 years of age. Some weeks since b.
visited New York, and at that time took the SAM
shears with him that he used with such dreadful
effect yesterday. On being asked his return
''Why he had taken them," he said they were to de
fend himself The shears were missed from thu
store on Wednesday evening. Before the men wer,
stabbed yesterday, Cotton chased a number of per
clear across the street. brandishiBg the shear
in frantic manner. One two made marrow
escapis by taking refuge in stores. A book keeper
In toe chandelier mandatory, in Race sareet
above Fourth, chased into his office.
Charles Keen alive at q late hour last night
though he was sinking, aud it was believed would
MT survive till morning. Cotton showed less evi
dence Of insanity yesterday afternoon. He CONVEX
ed somewhat nationally, yet the idea that person
we're flowing him to do him harm sull had POSSES
SIGN Of him.
The Philadelphia Press of the 30 says:
Cotton came very near escaping from the Sixtl
Ward station house on Thursday evening, sbou
IN dnight During the afternoon and evening tn
prisoner seemed calm, and about twelve o'clock q
night he knocked at The door Of his cell. Lieut.
Bowers answered the knock, and Cotton told him b
wanted a colored man put in the cell with him
While they were talking about the m alter, the prs
Oner made desperate effort to escape, and the mos
90 i've exerions Of ten twelve offers requir
ed to prevent his accomplishing his object Afte
handling several Of the officers very roughly, To
herculesn mamie was overpOwered, and being Sc
curey tied, he was again placed in his cell Yes
terdsy morning he had hearing before Alderman
Brazisr, and was committed to await the result o
his insane freaks.