Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-02-13
THE HAwEsvrLLE ThAGEDY.

MCRDEROUS ATTEMPT WITH AN INTERNAL MA.
CHINE-A STORE HOUSE BLOWN UP AND SIX
PERSONS INJURED.
We find in the Louisville papers the following particu-
lars Of the tragedy Hawesyle KY, briefly mentioned
by telegraph day or two ago:
Our readers doubtless recolIect the Lowe affair Dr.
H. A. Davidson aud a man named Wherow were charg-
ed with numbering Lowe his cell in the Jail This afro
cious act had been denounced by Mr. VIM. Sterrett a
lawyer and farmer who resides about four miles above
Hawesyille, and engendered an l-leeling between him
and Davidson.
On Monday last Dr. Davidson entereithe store of Mr.
John Duncan in which Mr. Sterrett with three four
other persons were seated. He had under his cloak
willow market basket in which, covered with
eggs internal machine of his own invention. A
description of this instrument of death NAV be interest
ing. Il tin cube, large enough to hold FIVE six
pounds OF pow der, with which it filled This maya
lne contained within another tin canister OF double
the size. The space between the two filled up with
bullets or arge.sized shot a sufficient number weigh
tn twelve pounds. This internal machine
s.ruced under the doctors especial direction By timer
in Canneon, Ind which town is Immediately opposite
Hawesville.
Mr. Davidson approached Mr.. Stcrret and when with.
in few feet of him. he fire to Ills Internal machine,
with the expectation Of blowing himself Mr.. Serretf,
and everybody 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 lifted from the raftors and six large s above
were broken. Mr. Duncan the merchant, very dan
gerousy wOunded-it il feared fatally. Mr. Sterrett
seriously hurt and badly burnt Three OF the bullets
tered his face and it is feared he may lose an eve
Dr. Davidson had his lett fore broken il two pa-
ces his collar bone broken his right shoulder dsocated
the flesh of the shoulder the bone his clothes
torn from his body and he was badly burned in the face
breast and arm. He was a horrible sight, and rushed
from the house after the explosion crying Kill me- for
Gods sake | do want 10 live any longer 1t i
supposed by that Davidson wanted destroy the
others and escape himself before the match had burned
to the powder It exploded however before he could
take it from his arm.
c. b. Duncan, James Reading and q man named Ben
nett were also injured.
The citizens of the town. hearing the noise aud feeling
the shock rushed to and fro in the widest confusion
They thought that a keg of power had exploded in the
When they informed Of the true
of the explosion many in favor of killing David
sou, and strong efforts we're made to do The news
spread through the county, and the country people
rushing with their guns for the purpose of taking
part in the mob. The whole town arming. The
greatest aud widest excitement prevailed throughout the
town.
On Monday night the excitement was intense, and it
was thought that Davidson would be taken out by the
Infatuated citizens and killed. strong guard sta
toned around the house to prevent it. This is one Of
the most appalling atrocities ever perpetrated in
Christian country.