The Placer herald., 1861-01-05
Fatal Rencounter.

srs Horace Smith and Samuel 4. Newell,
both Of this place, at San Francisco OH
Tuesday, in which the latter was killed
The deceased, with whom we were not ac-
quainted was comparatively a stranger in
Auburn, having been located here only dur
ing the past summer, and teng until recent.
ly engaged as one Of the publishers of tie
Democratic Siqnal-Mr. Smith we have
known for years, and have ever found him a
social, pleasant gentleman, whose uniform
good nature was constantly remarked; no
man in our community seemed to possess a
more pacific disposition, and it could only
have been under great provocation, excu
sing if not jusifying, that he has acted the
part he has in the unfortunate affair. OF
the circumstances leading TO the fatal re-
suit, we do not design to speak, further
than it has been public report that Newell
insuted Mrs Smith and maligned her rep
utation. And so far as these reports have
come to knowledge of our citizens, thev
have called out sympathy for Mr.. Smith
and his family, and expressions that lie was
fully justified in lesoring TO extreme meas
ures.
The new papers below have several re
ports of causes leading to the difficulty; and
some of the press seem disposed to pre-
Judge Mr. Smith; but at the proper time,
we are assured, an ample defence will be
made. and the public be enabled to form q
correct opinion. We learn from private
sources from San Francisco that there is no
excitement there, and that the current Of
opinion is in justification of Mr. Smith.
Below will be found the particulars of the
killing as reported in several papers. The
San Francisco reporter Of the Sac. Bee SAYS:
Il have just visited Horace Smith at the
county Jail; found him in comfortable quar-
,ers writing letters, and not at ali agita,ed in
reference to the homicide. lie made par.
ial staten ent to me about the cause of the
atfiay. The rest | gather from other sour
ces"
Smith, with his brother in law, J. II.
Hardy, me; Newell for tie first time in front
of the What Cheer House yesterday at ~
o'clock. Smith is reported to have said,
you are lying thief, or slanderer when
Newell raised his hand to strike him. when
Smith stabbed him with a Bowie knife in
tie region of the heart, which caused his
death in twenty minutes. Newell received
one or two flesh cuts afterwards, but the first
one caused his death.
Newell YVES taken to The dead house, and
Smith delivered himself up at the Station
House, and WAS taken to the County JAIL"
The Sac. Nems further says:
"One Of our residents, who was standing
opposite the What Cheer House at the time,
informs US that Smith and Hardy were
walking along, when Smith advanced rap.
IDLY, AMI cIapping his hand on Newelrs
shoulder violeu'Iy, swung him partially
around; that Newell apparently made a blow
at him, whereupnn Smitn stabbed him quick
" once or twice, with the resu!. stated"
Tie San Francisco Mirror learns that Mr..
Smith had expressed determination to
shoot Newell on sight aud sent him word to
that effect. THAT at noon (Jan lst) they
met nearly opposite the What Cheer House,
and after few words Mr. Newell retreated
into Ashm & Bros clothing store, Mr.
Smith rapidly following, and sabbing him
in two places. The wounded man then fell
and crert aAay under Il show case and ri
sing again, walked into the back room of
the shop, where he sat down in chair and
expired in about half an hour, having utter
ed never word from the time he was stab
led. In the meantime Smith put up his
knife, and walking to the City Hall deliv.
cred himself into the custody of the Police"
IxoUEsr ON THE BoDy Of S. 7. NEWELL
On Wednesday, in San Francoco, cor
oner's Jury held an inquest upon the body
OF S. T. Newell. They returned verdict
that he came to his death by knife wounds
inflicted by Horace Smith with intention to
destroy life.
In the Police Coult, on Thursday, the
case of Mr.. Smith Nas called up. lie waiv-
ed preliminary examination, and the case
WAS sen TO the Grand Jury.
E1- The late Samuel I. Newell was bu-
ried at Lone Mountain Cemetery, San
Francisco on Thursday. The funeral took
place from the Powell street Methods,
Church, and was largely attended The
hearse was attended TO the burial groun /
by the Eureka Typographical Union, Of
San Francisco.
EE- On New Years day, in Sacramento
DR.. Bo!ce, an old and respected citizen
was accidentally shot and mor'ally wound
oJ L, W;lE.,, T;.,,o, n, Ro,.o and