The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-01-04
Particulars or the shootinTs Case IN
wheeling.
From the WhceI,nr Rev,s.er

Ihe south emu Oh the city was terri
bly, excited yesterday. A young man
named William j. McNash, nail-feeder
in the Riverside mill, has for long
time kept company with young lady
named Matte Batham, and it has been
thought they were to be married. They
have been keeping company for a
year or two, and during the past summer,
she says, they were formally engaged.
Believing in him, and trusting implicitly
in his word, she was scduced by him.
Criminal intercourse has continued during
the summer. Finding herself likely to
become mother shortly, she called upon
him on Monday evening last and demanded
the fulflment of his promise.
| To aggrayate her, it would seem, on last
Thursday night he told her that eff she
intended to do anything, she must do it
quick, for he would be married to another
! girl in & few days" Maddencd by her
condition and his threatened desertion, she
determined to compel him to keep his faith
with her or take such revenge rs she was
capable of. On Monday night, as we have
said, she went to his boarding house about
supper time, and demanded that he should
tell her whether he would marry her or not.
He refused to give her the least satisfac-
ton in the matter, but promised to give her
on answer after supper. He never went
near her.
Yesterday morning size went to the ward
robe in her unclc's room and took from it q
Colts revolver. Thus armed she went to
him. lie was eating his dinner. She was
/ tln Ino1 ,,,l hn 1,,@
she demanded IN explanation Of his con-
duct. He replied tauntingiy, when she
drew the revolver and fired, the ball pass
ing into his stomach about two inches to the
right Of the navel.
He at once graspcd the pistol and 81.
tempted to turn it On her, but she SUCCESS.
fully resisted him, and the boarders, rush.
ing out, took the weapon from them.
So soon as she got away from the scene OF
the encounter, she went to Esquire Clohan's
office and surrendered herself. a thorough
investigation into the facts led the Justice
to hold her in the sum Of 81, 1000 to await
the result of the shooting.
| Drs. Baird and Allen were summoned to
attend McNash. They were unable to find
The ball. They are of opinion that Nc
Nash is very dangerously wounded.
Miss Batham is en- orphan, and is rathe,
good-looking young lady, about nineteen
years of age, and was laboring under great
mental excitement at the time Of the ex.
animation.
She told us that she had been acquainted
with her scducer since childhood, and that
ever since he had told her lie was engaged
to be married to another she had made uL
her mind that he must keep his word with
her or take the consequences.
| The svmpathies of all those who know
the facts of the case are with the unfortu-
nate girl. When the Justice determined to
hold her to bail so great was the feeling in
her behalf that she could have given secu.
rity in the sum Of O million dollars had ii
been necessary.
We trust for her sake that McNash's
wound may not prove fatal.
MR.. M'SAsH's STATEMENT.
Wishing to do equal justice to both par.
ties in the unfortunate shooting affair OF
last Thursday, we on yesterday called O!
MIR. NlcNash's clearinghouse, and from
his relatives received the following as his
statement IF the relations existing between
himself and Miss Batham.
aware that there has been 4 growing afi;ec-
ton Tor him on her part-an affection nc
never rcriprocated, but which caused hcl
to seek his society whenever she could that
he has many times avoided her, hut that
she has pcrsisiently forced herself into his
society. lie denies. his friends say, most
alphabetically that ever word OF engage
mcnt passed between them, and that he de-
Mics IN toto ever keeping company with her
with view TO matrimony. On the con-
trarv, be told Miss Batham over year ago
of his engagement to the young lady he
married yesterday.
The report that he attempted to turn the
muzzlc Of The pistol towards her after she
had shot him, we are satisfied, is entirely
wrong. His efforts were used in trying 10
take it from her. lie entertains no bitter
feelings towards her. and hos expressed his
desire that no suit shall be brought against
the unfortunate girl, with view to her
punishment, in any event.
We have now given both statements, and
the public must judge between them. MIR
MeNush's friends, in view of the fact that
he lies on what in all probability will be
his death-bcd, think his statements should
have as much weight as though given under
oath.
The wounded man was much easier yes
terday afternoon thun he had been during
the previous night, though his friends and
relatives express no hope of his recovery.
Miss Batbam was reirrcsted yesterday
and required to give additional bail for her
appearance ut court. She gave the required
$4,000 very readily, and was permitted tc
20 at liberty Wheeling Register, lSt.
The first illegal hanging" has taken
place in Omaha. There have heretofore
been sundry illegal hangings BY Judge
Lynch.