The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-09-29
"a Life for a Lifr,,--A sad STORY.


M Graham, in New Orleans, has been given.
lie is well remembered, as the person who
Killed Mr. Loring at the st. Nicholas Hotel, in
New York, and was sentenced to the State
prison, but afterwards pardoned out on &C.
count OF Ill health. A New Orleans corres-
pondent OF the Charleston Courier, writing Of
Inc event, gives a touching picture OF life
MADE miserable, and at last destroyed, by the
blight OF intoxication. He says;
His reappearance in his old haunts here cre-
aleu singular sensation. I never shall for
get the hrst time met him. after his return
iToh ms Nsrthern prison. He stood in front
OF urng sOIe, that for many years was at
the corner of St Charles and Common streets.
and In which he had an interest 1t was a
gathering place for many street lounaers and
poiitlcians lie had been seen there year after
year. When ne went TO New York, and while
III prison, his portly form was much ruisseti;it
was not known that he was going TO come
back, and was fairly startled, r. hen. on turn.
ing the corner one morning, saw him In his
ola place, In MS usual easy attitude looking
Just the same, cigar in mouth and small cane
in hand-only a deathly pallor had replaced
the usual healthy color of his face. The New
ork scene of blood flashed over me: I ayerted
my head, passed on.
The same impression was no doubt pro.
dueed vn the community generally, and for a
long time this pallid faced man wa. as stran.
ger in the community where he had lived SO
him cordial grasp of the hand. He seemed
prepared for this, had no doubt made up his
mind to it, and perhaps had Il secret, defying
pleasure in staying in his old haunts, and at
tending, with silent pride, to the duties of his
profession.
Gradually a change of feeling came over the
mass OF our citizens in regard to the man; we
are warm hearted. sympathetic people if
we are hot-headed; and the reserved nnobtru-
sive course pursued by DR. Graham, his atten-
non 10 MS profession, his avoidance OF his for
iner weakness, after awhile induced many to
forget what had passed, and the Doctor re-
gained much of his old social acouain tance
ana q large share of professional patronage.
But the morbid craving for stimulus though
once quehched In blood, could not be cured
IL came back after awhile and it became
known that DIR. Graham had occasional re-
lapses into his old habit of intoxication. Still
ne eontrlyed not 10 let this be seen about the
streets and through the influence of his fami-
fy ana friends, he was year ago eiee ted, by
the American party, city physician.
A short time ago, he lost the Office, at the ex-
plratlon of the term, by the election of q DIR.
Hart; and for fortnight, it appears, had been
under the impression that Mr. Ernest TOleda-
no. young man, prominent in the American
party, had procured his defeat. 1t was known
that he had expressed himself openly, for some
days past in violent terms against Toledano,
eursing him and avowing his purpose to shoot
him at sight. These expressions and this re-
solve were uttered whilst DIR. Graham was
under the influence of liquor, which, il ap-
pears, he had been since Thursday last; so
much so as to be generally noticed.
Last night, the Chief of Police Mr.. Adams
who is related to Graham in some way, saw
him at the Ruby Coffee house on Common
street-a popular resort-and noticed that he
was in liquor. He felt presentiment some
thing was going to happen, should Graham
remain in that condition in SD public place !;
he went up to him and told him he must go
home; if he created any disturbance he
would arrest him and lock him up for the
night. Graham insisted that bp w
toXcated, but promised to go home soon. Mr.
Adams left him to meet some police officers at
his own private office. and a few moments af-
ter was called ont and told that DIR. Graham
had just been shot dead.
The BODY OF the dead man was taken into
the coffee e-house, the doors of which were
closed, and physician was on the spot speed
ily but his skill was of no avail The Chief
OF Police then had his body taken to his pri-
vate office, and there, stretched out on u table,
/ saw the unfortunate man. his large, hand
some form stillened; his pantaloons and boots
covered with mud; his coat, vest, and cravat
of; his shirt stained with mud and 4 little
blood; his arms crossed; his hands and wrists
blackened, tied with his crayat; his shirt bo-
som partly open; and his fine features white
and fixed forever There was no expression
of pain about the countenance; it was calm
and serene. A physician Standing by showed
me the wounds, three small black spots below
the right breast, so close together that the
hand could cover them, and one in the left
arm.
The last had seen of the man he stood at
my elbow, chatting pleasantly, looking hand
some, dlgnlfied and courteous, as usual; now
he lay blood-stained. mud and rain-soiled
corpse.
DIR. Graham was unfortunate in being over
come now and then with a craving a morbid
longing for liquor; and when under the in1iu- =
ence OF this stimulus he, otherwise calm, quiet
courteous, thorough gentleman indenean-
or and appearance, became obstinate, hothead-
ed, quarrelsome, dangerous. His superior edu.
cation and skill as physician, fine telligence
pleasant manner, handsome dignified person
and highly respectable and inf uentIal connec.
tions here, made him very popular; and his
grieyous weakness was borne with for his
many good qualities, and the esteem had fol
his family.
The N. o. Pcayune, speaking of the funeral
of the deceased, says:
1t was attended by large concourse of the
most respec table and influential of the citi.
Zens of New Orleans, including men of all
positions professions and occupations in the
community, of which for so many years the
deceased had been member. The services
were those set forth in the solemn ritual Of the
Protestan Episcopal Church, and We're com.
menced at the house and finished at the GENE.
terry, by the Rev. g. S. Hedges, rector of ST
Luke's. A long train ofmcurners and friends
followed the remains TO the Protestant Ceme-
tery in Girod street six of our most promi-
nent citizens walking beside the hearse, as pail
bearers.
FRIGHTFUL SCENE-A Woman on FIRE Running
for Life-The Norwalk (Ohlol Reflector reiat ties
the particulars of the late terrible death of Bet
sy Saunders young lady fifteen years old,
daughter of John Saunders, of Peru, Huron
county. Wednesday last, while engaged in
ironing clothes, her garments caught fire in
some manner; il is supposed from the stove.
Her stepmother, W no first saw IL, apprised her
of the fact. She Immediately seemed TO have
los all presence of mind, and started for the
door, upon being told not to go into the air,
she changed her course and rushed widely pas [
her mo ther and ont at an open door, running
down lane and out into the highway. When
about fifteen rods from the house she changed
her course and returned to the honse Der en-
tire person all the while enyeioped III flames
sometimes reaching six feet above her head.
Her garments were all cotton, including a
thickIy padded skirt, all of which burned fu-
riously until the whole We're consumed So
great was the heat that before her clothing was
entirely consumed, the skin and flesh upon her
limbs, arms, and portions of her body, cleaved
off and helped the flames that enyeloped her.
All necessary assistance was Immediately pro-
cured and every attention that could alleviate
her suffering promptly administered. She
fingered about fifteea hours, though only a
pareof tbs time in extreme agony.
An AMERICAN MINISTER GoNK TO PEKrN.-
The battle between the English and the Chi
nese was fought on the 18th OF June On the
o9th two large junks came out TO the United
States steamer Powhatan loaded with pro-
duce. and bringing Chinese official with
letter in answer 10 one seat by the American
minister. This answer was very favorable,
and stated that 1900 cavalry had beeu waiting
seventeen days at the North Bend TO escort
Mr.. Ward TO Pekin. The produce, present
for our minister, consisted of nineteen hogs,
nineteen sheep, thiriy-three sacks OF -four,
nineteen of rice, besides ducks, chickens
geese eggs and vegetables in great Quantities.
The answer TO his letter stated that the COM
missioner would meet him whenever conye-
nient: that he would send pilot to bring his
shin n 10 the river, eight miles. A great deal Of