Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-06-10
From the st. L,uls Republican Of Saturday.
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY.
Extraordinary Case Of Resentment-A
Prominent Citizon Shot Down.

There never was more excitement in the city of
St. Louis than existed among the citizens yester-
day. About o'clock in tho morning Mr.. Joseph
Charless, n man well known and highly esteemed
who has been resident in this city for nearly his
whole Lifetime, and who Inns occupied prominent
place among her population was shot down in u
public street. while pcaceably walking to his place
Of business
Mr. Chnrless wns on the south aldo Of Market
street, between Third and Fourth. going down.
when he was met by Mr.. Joseph ". Thornton,
coming up, who without any altercntion with
out saying word, took from his breast a Colts
revolver. which he presented to Mr. Charlcss and
fred. The ball took effect in the loft side Of Mr..
Charless, passed. upward obliquely and TO the
right, penetrating through the abdominal cavity,
and going entirely through the body. Mr. Char
less fell upon his knees aud hands. and while in
this position Thornton fred again. the bullet tax
ing effect in the bnck.
Reports Of the terrible affair flew from ear to
ear throughout the city. Soon Market street. in
the vicinity of The occurrence, was blrckadod by
4eager throngs pressing 10 obtuina glimpse Of The
wounded man
AT length the crowd became thick around that
nothing could be known to the great ma lority of
what was g1n, on outside. They then gathered
in knots of four To eight, engaging in quiet
saton about tho events oi the morning. Little
was known among them of tho circumstances OF
the shooting, aud the curiosity 10 hear all and
certain all was at tn" highest pitch. 1t was up-
parent that no sympathy was felt for Thornton.
and but one opinion seemed To prevail in reference
to the awful calamity which had fallen upon Mr..
Charless. That opinion was that tie occurrence
was an outrage upon an uno9cnding ciiizcn,an aw-
tul blow upon his family. relatives, and friends.
an unwarrantei interruption vt the public peace,
and reproach upon the city in which such fear
full Grim" could be pcrpelraied.
At half past 10 O'Clock two or three men in the
~ Il Il
street. There was no cry, no sign. by which 1t
might be inferred that there was IL design to or
ganize mob. Half do2cu or more Stcppcl ont
and joined the TIVE or tin &c who were moving of.
A score more tuliowej and then ~ general rush
succeeded. In lew m men,s Market street, in
the ne ghbarhoud ot the tragedy, WAS almost en-.
\ irely deserted.
Mr.. Ro4er.aan, the jailor. had RECEIVED an init
nation that the crowd wore coming only lew
seconds before they came He conducted himself
with rs much rooncs, the circums tauccs Of the
case would admit Of
The crowd was very large one. numbering
probably from two 10 three thousand. Sixth
street, from Chestnut u Market, was full, while
hundreds were on Chestnut street in front oi the
calaboose. This great multitude was ,.ot com.
posed, rs it is often the case. oi irresponsible
rabble. hut comprised many of the first citizens
OF tho place.
! A committee was appointed to visit the cell of
Thornton. They soon returned, and their hair
man reported that he had gone there firm in the
conviction that if ever Lynch law was ustiablc
it was No in tn, present ease. The committee had
visited the cell where Thornton was confined, and
iound IT IN every way secure. with no chance lett
the prisoner To effect IN escape He was will
ling that the law should take its course. Ii the
man were condemned and executed for his deep
and damnable crime. noticing could be sad but if
there could 10 found twelve men to ucqut him.
ont d w tlp