The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1861-03-20

Terrible Trngedy--Shooting ARRAY
AT the Sprigg House--Dcaih of
OF one Party and The Suicide of
the Other.
From The Wheeling Union, March Is
A difficulty occurred at the Sprgg House a.
bsut IL o'clock on Monday night between two
young men, we'll known in this community,
James P. MclIain and Richard Hadden, which
resulted in the latter's being shot. II seems
that both the parties implicated had been drink
ing and were standing, at the time the Difficult
ty took place, with some friends in the Office at
the hotel scme dispute concerning a disreputa-
ble female arose between Hadden and the stran-
ger, whose name We conld not learn, in which
the latter, 1t is said, insulted Hadden without
his resenting it. After the conversation be
tween the two, McLain, in reference to the
matter, applied the epithet coward" to Had
den several times, remarking in the same con
nection that he (Hadden) would submit to any
thing hat might be said 10 him. Hadden, run
ming his hand in side pocket Of his coat as i
to feel for knife, having previously boasted
that he carried one, advanced towards Mclean
in threatening mOnner. The latter retreated
some distance, and finding that Hadden still
followed him, drew a revolver and fired one
shot, which took effect IN Hadden'S left breast,
the ball penetrating in the region Of the heart,
| infiictng a dangerous ard probably fatal
wound McLan left the house. and tladden.
who is a very Aeshy, muscular man, remained
talking with his friends for nearly three min
utes after he was shot, totally unconscious oil
being hurt. His fainting at that time was the
! first ntimation TO those around him OF his he
ing wounded. He was conveyed to the resi-
Idence o his brother.D-laW, J. M. McCortney,
Esq, on Market St
We give the above statement, as that best
supported by the facts as far as we could learn
them. 1t is impossible to obtain particulars o
| the affair that can be re led uron as perfectly
authentic. the whole matter being enveloped in
the doubt and contradictions that usually sur
round every case Of that kind.
McLain has heretofore borne a most excel
lent character. He was engaged as a salesman
in the drug store OF 7. II. Logan & Co, and
/ possessed the entire confidence of his employ
ers. He has not as yet been arrested and it is
supposed that he left the city at an early hour
yesterday. morning. This unfortunate occur
renee has caused his friends the deepest sorrow
Since writing the above, we learn that dis
patch was received yesterday afternoon about
| tour O'Clock by DR.. Logan in whose store young
McLain had been employed, from the Coroner
at Belleair stat ng that McLain had shot him
self, was ehquirng what disposition should be
made Of the body. Friends OF the deceased at
at once left for that place and returned in the
evening bringing with them the remains the
unfortunate young man. The particulars Of this
terrible affair are as follows: Without taking
especial pains to avoid notice McLan left thc
city about nine O'Clock yesterday morning walk.
ing down the Baltimore road to the lower ferr
where he crossed over to West Wheeling. Ht
was in a state Of great agitation being observed
to stand gazing at the water for long time -
Here he was met by an acquaintance who gave
him the Information that lIaddena was great
deal BETTER was sitting up and said to be in a
fair way Of recovery; he seemed greatly reliev.
ed on hearing this, and exclaimed, "Thank Goo
| for that Resisting the friendly importuni
ties to return to the city, he avowed his deter,
minatiun not to do so and went back on the hill>
behind West Wheeling 1t appears that he
continued down to Bellair. About three o.
clock IN the afternoon he was seen sitting on 9
fence near the railroad track, about half a mile
above Belleair, by man passing by, who saw
him quietly whiting stick but observed
nothing singular in his manner In few mo
ments this person heard the report Of a pistol
but thinking McLain was playing with the weap'
on and had discharged it in sport, be took II
notice Of the Circumstance, and did not tutr
round. Directly afterwards three other per.
sons came up and found him lying in corne
OF the fence, dead. He had proceeded delber
ately about the accomplishment OF his purpose
having written his name James McClain o
Wheeling" with a lead pencil across the bosom
OF his shirt in conspicuous manner, 50 tha
those finding his body would have no difficult,
in knowing him. Then placing revolver tt
his hear, he ended hs existence.
DEAD. Hadden who was shot the other {
yening at the Sprigy House, died Wednesda,
morning at the residence of his bro her in Law
on Market St, where be was conveyed Monda
night. lie had fingered for nearly thirty ST
teurs, and at times his symptoms were offs
favorable a character as 20 raise hops of his III
innate recovery. On Tuesday evening he be
came much worse and sank rapidly, He re
tanned perfect consciousness up to the time O
his death and conversed freely on the nnNortu
nate circumstances which led to it. He exprese
ed the deepest regret on hearing OF McLain'
death and stated that the utmost good feein
, had existed between them.
.