The North-Carolinian., 1861-02-09
Editorial E1rScaS

An alteration took place in front of the Var
borough House onW edne>llr last, alb 'ut o'clock
i NJ, bytwcca W " Holden, ESD Editor OF the
.>jaudard, and John Spclmln, Esq, Editor of the
Suite Jouta{ which occasioncd, tor time,
deal OF excitement. 1t tat Mr. Holden made
some remark about Gov Ellis and Mr. Spelman when
the latter approached him i'll threatening manner
and demanded to know wEat he said whereupon
Mr. Holden struck NJ Spelmaa several blows with a
cane which he held in his hand. Mr. Spclman then
drew a ,3tstol and fired two shots at SIR Holden
neither OF them. however, taking effect. One OF Mr.
Iolen~ blows caused the blood to flow very freely
from Mr spelman's head, but we bel eve that his
injuries slight.
The parties were brou sht before an axamins Court
of Thursday, consisting Of the following Justices Of
the Peace, viz: Il w Saavcll NJ B Royster and NJ
IL Brown. q Busbec, ESD, appeared as council for
Mr. Holden, and Danl G Fowlc and Ed G Haywood
Esqs for Mr. Srelman. Mr. w ii Laughter clerk
for Mr. Speman, having participated i'll the rocontre
by drawing pistol, e., was also arraigned Kemp
Z Battle Esq. appearing as his counsel
Mr. J { Palmer the first witness examined.
He sud that while he standing at the entrance
to the Yarb ,rough House, awaiting dinner, Gov FL
lis passed down the street when Mr. IL ,en, who
was standing in front of the Marlborough House.
marked to some gentleman with whom he was in
conversation 'rhere goes the meancst man in North
Carolina except John Spelman.'
Immediately after Mr. Holden made the remark
the wiwness observed Mr. Spelman approach Mr.
Holden in a threatening manner and spe TX to him,
when the latter struck Mr. $. several blows. Mr..
Spelnau then drew his pistol and fired twice the
first ball striking the upper OF window OF
the pa,Ior of the Marlborough House, which is in
the second story. Before he fired the second time
Mr. Holden had lodged behind tree. Mr. " II
Laughter then drew his pistol, Also and exclaimed
to Mr. Spelman xiii the damned rascal but Mr.
Spelman did not show any disposition to fire again.
Mr. Spelman had nothing in his hand when he APP
proached Mr. Holden Mr. Erhman told Mr. Laugh
ter if he did not not put up his pistol he would
knock his d-d head off, when the latter very
prcmptlaz:e., Piled with his request.
Mr z + Duni ar testified that when Gov Ellis pas
sed, Mr. Holden said there goes the d,nncdest
cal in North Carana, except John Spelman' y
When Mr. Spelman approached Mr. Holden and de-
manded to know what he had said the latter stuck
him several times, when Mr. Spclman, drew his pis-
tol and fired twice. After he fired first Mr. Laugh
ter drew his pistol and called out to Spelma , to
Shoot the d.. rascal Mr. Spen,an said ''let
him advance upon me- This witness eStiiielitha Mr.
Laughter repeated his exclamation to Mr. Spelman
three or four times both before and after !hc second
shot
Mr. John I W llamson testified that Mr. Holden
said when Gov Ellis passed that ,'he (iov. E) was
the grandest rascal in the State, except John Spe-
man, and that Spelnian the most contemplate
man in the St"te'' His testimony in regard to the
alteration was pretty much the same as that OF
other witnesses. except he stated that after Speman
fired the second time up him and told him
not to shoot again. anu that Mr. Spelman immediately
let his pistol fall Mr. Laug gter in the meantime,
aid the witness, was running around like man
ystzns, caGS to Spelnan, shoot him shoot
lirn.'' lie said that Mr. Spelman showed no dispo-
,ition to shoot after he told him to desist.