The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-08-26
Quite n S.ory--A Sons Revenge.

We find the following in the Cincinnati
Commercial:
As far back in our city's history as 1912
tourshcd u then young scoundrcl OF SIX
teen wears known ms "Thc Knife " to those
who knew of him and OF his habit Of inva-
riahly drawing a knife upon anybody that
happened to in any way offend him. His
name was James Watson, but among the
companions of his earlier days he was
ecarcely known by it, 1.-The knife" having
taken IFS place ever since. When lie was
fourteen years OF age he had badly cut
younger playmate upon whom he had failed
to force a cheating bargain. The kn1tc 4"
first became known to the watch as profess
sionally dishonest when, in 1S45, he was
caught, with two other burglars, III the act
Of robbing jewelry store on the Landing.
lie managed to wiggle out of this case :;
shortly after which he left the city and
went to Pittsburc, Cleveland and Buffalo,
and even farther East, committing many
crimes, and almost invariably escaping de-
lection.
Tn fact, it was not until he became well
known to the authorities of Buffalo, and
was at length detected in steamboat rob-
horv at that point in 1850, that he was con-
victed and forced to serve five years. Re-
turning to Buffalo in 1856, and thence to
cleveland and Chicago, Watson, in drunken
broil in drinking saloon ut the last named
city, drew knife upon William Webb, the
captain of the schooner North Star, anu cut
him in such q manner that he died of his
wounds. Watson escaped the Immediate
vengeance that even tkis crime should have
brought upon him. In fact, his identity
WAS not fully established, and the police
had no clue along which to follow to his ar
rest. However, shortly after his 1ather't
death, the son, John Webb, n young man o!
twenty years, learned from one Of Watson :
former associates of Chicago who it was
that had made him fathcrless. Obtaining
a minute description of his person, inclu-
ding note of a scal across his forehead that
could not be easily forgotten, lie took every
step in his power 10 have him brought tC
Justice. But all efforts to this end proved
fruitlcss, as Watson had gone far south
20 Texas, it was supposed.
In the years that followed each other
John Webb went to the bad under the in
tuence of Chicago life, becoming almost as
desperate character as his fathers muir
derer.
When the wal. broke out he enlisted in an
Illinois regiment and served several years
known always as reckless, desperate sol
der, fighting bravely, but always in trou-
bic on account of his characterization
When he was finally discharged he went
West, and for several years led wander
ing life, until at Fort Benton, few weeks
since, he met this Watson in gambling sa-
loon, recognized him, threw glass of whis-
key into his face, and then very cooliy shot
him six times with revolver, letting his
life out through at least three mortal
wounds. 1t appears that they were sitting
side by side at faro-spread, both betting
white chips on the same cards. Hearing
Watson's name called by the dealer, Webb
examined his face closely, and finding in it
every mark OF the old-time description, in
troduced conversation, and managed TO
learn from Watson that he was in Chicago
III March 1856, the time Of the murder.
This settled it with Webb. He didn't
wait for the evidence of witnesses, or think
of appealing to law-as very scarce article
in that part of the world. While taking a
drink of whiskey he carelessly took up
some OF Watson's chips, as If making mis-
take in shifting bet Watson cursed the
mistake and its author, announcing that
those were his chips. Webb shifted the
!. elase to his left hand and lcckoned not, at
Is The same time cooking revolver in his
nocket with his right. Watson jumped up
and pulled his knife. Webb dashed the
whl8key into his face, blinded him for an
instant, and then, as Watson came at him,
commenced shooting, and without going into
the heroics or even eGciaiming 'sMy father Is
murderer" proceeded TO settle old gcor, &.
lie then walked out OF the saloon, and With
out much trouble made his escape.