The national Republican., 1861-03-16
From the Wheeling Union, Wednesday.

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN WHEELING.
A difficulty occurred at the Sprigg House,
about twelve o'clock Monday evening, between
two young men, well known in the community,
named James P. McLlan and Richard Had
den, which resulted in the latter being shot. 1t
seems that both the parties implicated had been
drinking, and were standing, at the time the
difficulty took place, with some friends in the
Office of the hotel Some dispute concerning
a disreputable female arose between Hadden
and stranger, whose name we could not learn,
in which the latter, it is said, insulted Hadden,
without his resenting it. Alter the conversation
between 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 that might be said to him.
Hadden, running his hand in side pocket
of his coat, as il to feel for knife having pre-.
viously boasted that he carried one, advanced
towards McLain in threatening manner. The
latter retreated some distance, and, finding that
Hadden still followed him. drew revolver and
fired one shot, which took effect in Hadden's
left breast, the ball penetrating the region of
the heart, nficting dangerous and probably
fatal wound. McLain left the house, and
Hadden, who is a very fleshy, muscular man,
remained talking with his friends for nearly
three minutes after he was shot, totally uncon.
scious of being hurt. His iainting at that time
was the first intimation to those around him of
his being wounded. He was conveyed to the
residence Of his brother. .inlaw, j. NJ. McCort.
ney, Esq, on Market street, where he is now.
We learn that on yesterday, he was much easier,
though considered by his physician to be still in
a very precarious condition.
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 of
the affair that can be relied upon as perfectly
authentic, the whole matter being enveoped in
the doubt and contradictions that usually sur.
round every case Of the kind,
McLain has heretofore borne most excel.
lent character. He was engaged as salesman
in the drug store of T. H. Logan q Co., and
possessed the entire confidence Of his employ.
ers. He has not as yet been arrested, and it is
supposed that he has left the city at an early
hour yesterday morning. This unfortunate oc.
currence has caused his friends the deepest sor-
row.
Since writing the above, we learn that dis
patch was received yesterday afternoon about
four o'clock by Dr. Logan, in whose store young
McLain had been employed, from the Coroner
at Belair, stating that McLain had shot him.
self, was dead, and inquiring what disposition
should be made Of the body. Friends of the
deceased at once left for that place, and returned
in the evening bringing with them the remains
Of the unfortunate young man. The particu.
lars of this terrible affair are as follows With
out taking especial pains to avoid notice, Nc,
Lain left the city about nine o'clock yesterday
morning walking down the Baltimore road to
the lower ferry, where he crossed over to West
Wheeling. lie was in state of great agita.
ton, being observed to stand gazing at the
water for long time. Here he was met by an
acquaintance, who gave him the information
that Hadden was great deal BETTER was sit.
ting up, and said to be in fair way of recov,
cry; he seemed greatly relieved on hearing
this, and exclaimed, "Thank God for that"
Resisting the friendly opportunities to return
to the city, he avowed the determination not to
do so, and went back on the hills behind West
Wheeling. 1t appears he then continued down