Delaware State journal and statesman., 1864-12-23
HORRIBLE TRAGEDY AT WATER
TOWN.
4 Druakea Sfc9eaAt Orders lila Asa 10 Shoot
a Psaesabie Citisen t5
plcm !ho water own uulou

belonging to the Sixteenth United State
Regular Infantry, in charge of one Lieut.
Houleham, came to this place to take tn
cars for 0swego. They arrived abou
noon. During the afternoon they in
,dulged in drink quite freely, and becam
quarrelsome. About six o'clock, Will,
in the lower room of the Woodruff House
maltreating member of stheir company
quite an old man-they were expostu
lated with by Alexander Neil. From
abusive words the soldiers soon resorted
to blows. Neil, in self defence, knocked
several of them down. The bartender
came TO his assistance, and soon the room
was cleared. This it was thought, would
be an end to the affair; but in two minu-
tes two of the soldiers appeared at the
door with muskets. Neil and the bar
tender apprehending more serious trouble,
started for the hall outside of the saloon
Just then the sergeant made his appear
ance, and said to the soldiers "There
Is the d. D., shoot him ~ One
Of the soldiers fred. The ball struck
Neil in the left breast, near the nipple,
and passed through his heart and lungs,
and entirely through his chest. The
death-dealing missile lodged in the rear
of the bur, breaking some bottles in its
course. Neil walked to tho hall, dis
tance Of about fifteen feet, when he fell
and instantly expired Thus tragicaly
ended the life Of Alex. Neil. His age was
about twenty-one or two years. He bore
an excellent reputation for sobrety, strict
attention TO his business, and for his
habitual quiet domeanor. His presence
in the saloon was on matter OF business.
He was in the employ of II. h. Schram,
Esq, who was witness Of the tragedy,
md who sincerely mouFns his untimely
death. The soldier who fired the fatal
shot was soon arrested, handcufIed, and
imprisoned. The balance of the squad
took possession of the sidewalk on the
north side Of the public square, and under
the direction of their Lieutenant, num-
ber of our citizens were assaulted, and
arrested and placed under guard aud a
genuine reign Of terror inauguratcd.
1t being near the time for the train to |
leave, they proceeded to the railroad do.
pot, Of which they took possession, |
and de6ed and one 10 arrest them. |
Precautions were at once taken to
prevent their taking possession of the
cars and engine by locking the doors Of
the former, and uncoupling the latter and
sending ii down the track. While they
held the depot, it was at the peril of life
that any one entered it. They threatened
10 fire into the crowd Of passengers and
citizens around the depot, and carried
their threat into execution by firing at Mr..
p, Stockwell, the charge passing near his
head. All these proceedings created an
intense excitement in the village The
civil authorities were powerless to arrest
the desperadoes. Finally, a file of twenty
men of the Veteran Reserve Corps, under
the command of Lieutenant Dimmick,
upon the requisition Of the Sheriff, march
ed to the depot and arrested them. They
with their Lieutenant, were soon lodged
in the cells of the county jail. Our COM
munity then experienced feeling of re-
lief; but their indignation was not ap
peased, aud for time there were strong
indications that Judge Lynch" would
establish his court, and order summary
proceedings But respect for law and
order prevailed, and tho offenders were
left in the hands of the civil authorities,
by whom they we're arrested, and are to
be tried. We understand that the sold.
iers on their way here from 6aokett's Har-
Dor, manifested the same reckless dis
regard of human life which eliminated in
the death of young Neil. Among other
acts, we learn that on stopping at the old
Blanchard House, MIR. Terry, a highly re-
spectacle colored man, living in that
vicinity, they proposed to carry into effect
certain proceeding which he escaped by
mounting his horse and putting him to
the top of his speed. As he was leaving,
one Of the soldiers fred at him, but missed
his aim. There are rumors of other des-
perate deeds committed by them, but
which we will not record. Such are the
outlines Of the most reckless, lawless,
tragical affair that ever transpired in our
village. 1t would not of course be pro-
per for us, in advance of judicial proceed
lngs to characterize the crime which re-
suited in the death of MIR. Neil. While We
are writing this Con Wednesday after
noop,) the coroner and his jury are hold
Ing an inquest on the body of the de.
ceased. We expect before going TO press
TO be able to announce the verdict; butit
has not at the present writing been render
ed. Upon the nature of the verdict will
probably depend, in great measure, the
character offuture legal proceedings.
josh BILLINGS expresses our views on The