Newbern weekly progress. [volume] (Newbern, N.C.) 1858-1863, 1860-10-16
The Washington Tragedy.

AS the sad affair which occurred at w aShlng-
ton last week has been the cause of much ex-
element through this whole section of coun-
try, and as every incident connected there
with will be deemed of interest to the public
generally we copy the following from the Pc
tersburg Express of Monday last:
On Thursday last, the 4th inst, two broth
ers residing at Washington, N. c., committed
a murderous assault upon John W. Grist, ESQ.,
an estirnabe citizen of Washington, n. c.,
who was mortality wounded and in the afray
a negro man received injuries, which it's thought
he cannot possibly survive The brothers are
named, respectively, George A. and Chas. Fl.
Latham. They have fed from justice, and
reward of $3.50 each will be given for their ap-
prehension. Captain Ledbetter, our chief Of
Night police, has received the following de-
scription of the fugitives:
George a. Latham is about twenty-five years
of age, has whitish grey eyes; dark sandy hair,
salow complexion, and a somewhat peculiar
expression of the eyes. His carriage is erect,
his height about feet 7 inches and his weight
12O pounds. When talking, his eyes wander,
and it is rare thing for him to meet ones
gaze with steady look.
Charles H. Latham is about 80 years old,
lean and lank, has sandy hair, is in-visaged,
and of light bloodless complexion His fea-
lures are lttiiIlt lio l1ClStlL dDOUI y Itcl U
inches and his weight 1870 pounds He is
slow OF speech and slightly stoop shouldered
The skin upon the forehead has been recently
broken and he has, long full whiskers ola light
sandy color. These he may remove to avoid
detection.
FURTHER PARTICULARS.
Since the above was in type, we have con-
versed with gentlman who was in Washing
ton, n c., on thursday last, the day the bloc
,+o
the difficulty between the Lathams and Mr..
Grist, is of several months duration. 1t grew
out of misunderstanding in regard to the
question Of al g0l0rem taxation, anterior to
the late Gubernatorial election, at which time
the ID lie passed, and blows ensued. Last
Thursday, Geo. A Latham and Mr. G. met,
when the difficulty was renewed followed by
an alteration, in which Latham was knocked
down with a stick. Latham greatly exasper-
ated, went off and communicated with his
brother and the two armed with revolving
pistols, got into buggy and started in per-
suit of Mr.. Grist. They came up with the OBJ
iect of their vengeance fronting the Banking
House, and commenced firing. Mr.. Grist i'm
mediately drew his pistol to protect himself
and some fifteen shots were fired in all. Mr.,
Grist received ball in the lower part Of his
abdomen Just below the naval which passed
entirely through, and came out near the unfor-
perforated his bladder He received another
severe wound in his right leg The random
shots also struck parties in the vicinity. A
negro man engaged at work on a building
near by attracted by the firing, made his ap-
pearance at the front door, when ball struck
him in the breast, which it is supposed will
prove fatal A Mr. Mooring, white man, who
was near, received a ball in one of his arms,
infiictng painful but not dangerous wound.
The shooting occurred on Main street at mid
day, and the wonder is that great many more
persons were not injured. The brothers La
than leaped into buggy near by, immediate
ly after the shooting and made good their
escape.
Mr.. Grist we understand, is gentlemen of
high responsibility and large means, and has
a family. The brothers Latham are also wealthy
but unmarried.
Great excitement prevailed in Washington.
A special messenger was Immediately sent to
Newbern, where he chartered an engine and
proceeded to Goldsboro, the nearest point of
telegraphic communication. Here dispatches
were sent off in every direction, describing the
fugitives, and offering large rewards for their
arrest 1t is thought that the Governor of the
State will also issue his proclamation, and offer
sum as large or larger than that already Of
fered by the friends of Mr. Grist
P S.-We learned yesterday afternoon, that
Mr.. Grist was dead