The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1860-02-14
THE DAY BOOK.
Vhe Hawesytlie Tragedy.


Harderous Attempt with an Internal Ma
chine-A Store House B'o'gn Up and Sia'
Persons lnjared.
W e fiudin the Louisville papers the follow
ing particulars of the Tragedy at Haweaville
KY, briefly mentioned by telegraph a day
or two ago:
Our readers doubtless recOliect the Lowe
affair, DR.. n. A Davidson, and man
named Witherow were charged with muir
dering Lowe in his cell in the Jail This
atrocious act had been denounced by mir.
VIM. Sterrett, LAWYER, and a farmer, who
resides about four miles above Hawesyille,
snd:engendered an i'll feeling between him
and Davidson.
On Monday last DR.. Davidson entered the
store of Mr.. John Duncan, in which Mr.
Sterrett, with three or four other persons
were seated. He had under his cloak will
low market basket, in which, covered over
with some eggs, was an Internal machine OF
his own Invention. A description OF this in
strument of death may be interesting. 1t
was tin cube, large enough to hold tive or
six pounds Of powder, with which 1t was
filled. This magazine W az contained within
another tin canister of double the sizo. The
space between the two was filed with bull
let's or large sized shot, sufficient number
to weigh ten or twelve pounds. This infer
nal machine was constructed under the doc
tors espebial direction by timer in Can
Melton, Ind which town is Immediately OPP
posite Hawesville.
DR.. Davidson approached Mr.. Sterrit, land
when within few feet of him, ne set fire to
his Internal machine, with the expectation
OF blowing himself. Mr.. Sterrett, and eve
rybody else in the room, into eternity. The
K = n
stone and brick. One whole side of the
from the ratters, and Six large stills above
were broken. MIR. Duncan, the merchant.
was very dangerously wounded-it is feared
fatally. Mr.. Sterrett was seriously hurt,
and badly burnt. Three of the bullets en-
tered his face, and it is feared he may lose
IN eye.
DR. Davidson had his left fore arm broken
in two places, his collar bone broken, his
right shoulder dislocated, the flesh torn of
the shoulder to the bone, his clothes torn
from the body, and he was badly burned in
the face, breast and arm. He was q horri-
BILE sight, and rushed from the house after
the explosion, crying, "Kill me, for Gods
sake; do not want to live any longer. -
1t is supposed by some that Davidson wan
ted to destroy the others and escape himself
before the match had reached the powder.
1t exploded, however, before he could take
it from his arm.
Duncan, James Reading, aud a mau
named Bennett were also injured
The citizens OF the town, hearing the noise
and feeling the shock, rushed to and fro in
the widest confusion. They thought that a
keg of powder had exploded in the store
room. When they were informed OF the true
cause Of the explosion, many were in favor
of killing Davidson. and strong efiorts were
to do so.
The news spread through the county, and
the country people were rushing 10 town
with their guns for the purpose OF taking
part in the mob. The whole town was arm
ing. The greatest and widest excitement
prevailed throughout the town.
On Monday night the excitement was i'll
Tense, and it was thought that Davidson
would be taken out by the Infatuated citi
zens and killed. A strong guard was sta.
toned around the house to prevent it, This
is one of the most appalling atrocities ever
perpetrated in Christian country.