Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1860-02-17
Terrible Affair at Hawesville, Ky.
4 Store House Blolon up and Sir Persons Il,
jpred. The Perpetrator Wounded and
Threatened arith Summary Punishment
Great Excitement and the jail Guarded.

Il Store House Blolon up and Sir Persons In
jpred. The Perpetrator Wounded an,
Threatened arith Summary P,niShment.-
Great Excitement and the jail Guarded.
from the Louisville Journal, Feb. 81
The steamer Grey Eagle arrived from Hen
derson yesterday, and from her officers ant
passengers we obtain the particulars of anoth
er tragical affair at Hawesville, which occur
red on Monday morning.
/ Our readers doubtless recollect the Lowe af
fair. DIR. H. A. Davidson and a man named
Witherow were charged with the numbering
of Lowe in his cell in the Jail. This atrocious
act had been denounced by Mr.. VIM. Sterrett
lawyer and a farmer, who resides about four
miles above Hawesville and engendered an i'll
feeling Between him and Davidson. The latter
10 aveHs7e himself on Sterrett, resorted to an
Internal machine. We now give the account
furnished by the Grey Eagle. The persons in
the store when it was blown up were G. B,
Duncan, J. G. Duncan, VIM. Sterrett, james
Rcdding, - Bennett, and Davidson.
On Monday last DIR. Davidson entered the
store of Rdr Duncan, in which Mr.. Sterrett,
with three or four other persons, was seated
He had under his cloak willow market bas-
ket, in which, covered over with some eggs,
was an internal machine of his own invention.
A description of this instrument Of death may
be interesting.
It was tin tube, large enough TO contain
five or six pounds of powder, with which it
was filed. This magazine was contained with
in anotherstin canister of double the size
The space between the two was filed with bull
lets or large sized shot, a sufficient number to
weigh ten or twelve pounds. This internal
machine was constructed under the Doctors
especial direction by timer in Cannelton,
Indiana which town is Immediately opposite
Hawesville.
DR. Davidson approached Mr.. Sterrett, and
when within few feet of him, he set fire to
his infeynal machine, with the expectation of
blowing himself, Mr.. Sterrett and every body
else in the room into eternity.
The shock was terrible. The room was
built of stone and brick. One whole side OF
the house was blown out, the roof was lifted
from the rafters, and six large sills above were
broken.
Nj. Duncan the merchant, was very danger
ouslv woundcd-it is feared fatally.
Mr. Sterrett was seriously hurt and badly
burnt. Three of the bullets entered his face
and it is feared he may lose an eye.
Mr.. Davidson had his left forearm broken
in two places, his collar done broken, his right
shoulder dislocated the flesh torn off the
shoulder to the bone, his clothes torn from his
body, and he was badly burned in the face,
breast and arm. lie was horrible sight and
rushed from the house after the explosion, cry
ing, Kill me for Gods sake !; do not want
to live any longer"
Two other persons were in the room but
were not seriously hurt.
The citizens of the town, hearing the noise
and feeling the shock, rushed to and fro in
the widest confusion. They thought l1eg of
powder had exploded in the store ROOM
When they were informed of the true cause of
the explosion, many persons were IN favor OF
killing Davidson and strong efforts were made
to do So The news spread through the coun-
! ty, and the country people were rushing to
| town with their guns for the purpose of ta-
| king part in the mob. The whole town was
arming. The greatest and widest excite
ment prevailed throughout the town.
When the Grey Eagle left Hawesville, at 8
o'clock on Monday night the excitement was
intense, and it was thought that Davidson
would be taken ont by the infuriatcd citizens
and killed. A strong guard was stationed
around the house to prevent it. This is one
of the most appalling atrocities that ever was
pcrpetrated in a Christian country. 1t is ten
times more frighttul in its conception than the
Lowe tragedy, but, fortunately, less destruct-
! i've in its result.