The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-07-12
ANOTHER FATAL AFFAIR
Between Prominent Citizens OF New
Orleaus-A Cotton Merchant Kills
u Bank ROOk-keepcr.


From the Picayunc, OF the eth.
About halfpast 10 o'clock on Thurs
day morning difficulty occurred in the
New Orleans National Bank, No "a
Camp StreeI, between Natchez and Gra-
vier streets, between William Boyd, a
cotton factor, and Samuel Rainey. gen
era book keeper Of the bank, which
resulted in the death OF the latter. The
causes which led to the fatal afl'ray are
OF several years standing, and grew out
Of business complications. 1t seems
that. in the year 1869, Mr.. Boyd and
Mr. Raincy were eogagcd in planting in
Lafourche. Their business did not
prosper well, and each ascribed the fail
ure to the want OF business tact in the
other 1t occasoned violent alterca-
tons at the time which have been sub
sequently renewed in personal disputes.
Some months ago Mr.. Boyd was abont
forming some coPartnership relations in
business, whel he heard that Bainey had
said that he would defeat his pun
poses by exposing his personal dlshon-
esty. Indeed, il is asserted by the
friends OF Mr.. Boyd that Mr. Rainey
did not hesitate to apply to him the epi-
thets OF a swindler and thiet. lie
soughtimmcdiately personal explana-
ton, which he was unable TO obtain.
then wrote letter to Mr. Rainey, and
asked if these injurious reports that he
had heard originated with him. No
attention was paid to this letter and sew
eral days passed by. At lat, either
urged by the advice OF his friends or
stimulated by his own resentment. Mr.
Bovd determined TO have an interview
with Mr.. Rarncy, and for this purpose
entered the National Bank th- morn.
ing. He was accompanied 10y John
Bovd and Richard Pasteur. a cotton
broker in this city. Approaching Mr.
Rainry's de-k, he inquired ii he could
speak with him.
What DO you want was the reply
" | wish to inquire if you have put
injurious reports in circulation regard
ing me, and it YOU have stated 10 my
friends that ! was a swindler and a
cheat
The reply OF Mr.. Rainey was not
heard distinctly, but it was evidently
not denial Of the accusation. inasmuch
as Mr.. Boyd Immediately demanded if
he would retract them.
"No, sir, | will not
1t was then that the first shot was
fired.
At this point the accounts Of the az
fair naturally difFer Those who were
present on the outside Of the railing say
that Mr.. Raincy put his hand to hi'
breast at the time, and assumed a
defiant attitude. Others assert that he
did nothing Of the sort, but hurridly got
off his seat, with the apparent design OF
retreating, and in this way avoided the
first shot. At all events the second
shot was fired. which took effect about
two inches below the right nipple, pass
ing through the right lung and lodging
between the fourth and fifth ribs. 1t
was a mortal wound, and occasioned
death almost Instantly.
At the time Of the occurrence Mr.
Rainev was at his desk in the back
part OF the bank, near the vault. As Is
usual in banking institutions, the conn-
ter runs nearly the entire length OF the
building, and has raised above II a g lass
screen encircling it. 1t was opposite the
last Of these that Mr. Rainey was sit,
ting, counting his checks and making
up his cash. The first shot passed
through one Of these screens or panes
Of French glass, drilling a round hole
through it, and lodging in the opposite
wall. Mr. Boyd then moved a few feet
forward, TO the gate that furnished ad'
mittance behind the counter, and which
enabled him TO obtain full view OF his
agtagonist. 1t was from this position
that the second shot was fired. Mr'
Rainey then turned a. II 10 run into the
vault but reeled and fell on the floor,
scattering his checks and papers on the
foor Several gentlemen by this time
were Fastening to the scene Of the en-
counter, some assisting Mr. Rainey'
while others picked up the papers.
II is understood that both Of the par
ties are men OF family, and the unhappy
occurrence has occasioned a profound
gloom in the community, since both
gentlemen were OF high social position
as well as OF large family connection.
After the Coroner had completed hi
arrangements for the inquest. be tsok
the testimony OF Mr.. Jones, q clerk il
the bank. and Mr.. Wheeless. the Presi