New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-04
Terrible Tragedy.

| Shortly after sundown on Wednesday
evening. the twenty-sixth instant, in D. H.
| Callahan's grocery, Richard Wafer under
| the influence of liquor, stabbed colored
| man, Seaborn Walker, well known about
town. The circum stances attending the
stabbing we're these: Wafer was standin q
at the counter of the bar ROOM when Walk
er and Ben Polk, both colored men, came
in. Walker requested the barkeeper to
give Polk a drink, that he wanted none him
self Wafer caught Walker by the collar
| and asked him why he did not drink
Walker told him that he did not want any
thing. After some words from Wafer he
drew a large knife from his pocket, threw
his hand behind Walker and stabbed him
in the back, quickly placing his knife back
in his pocket. Walker fell on the floor say
lug that he was stabbed. When Wafer was
accused OF the stabDing he became furious
The barkeeper demanded of the mayor
and the deputy sheriff thar Wafer be ar
rested. They had heard of the stabbing,
and by this time were at the grocery. A
posse was summoned. They then endeav-
ored to arrest him. He retreated from the
grocery toward rack on the opposite side
OF the public square where his horse was
hitched, still having his knife drawn, defy
ing arrest; when within a short distance of
his horse. Mayor Richardson stationed him
self between him and the horse, informing
him that he could 60 no further in that di-
rection. At this time he seemed to become
more furious than ever. With his knife
uplifted, he advanced upon Deputy Sheriff
Nalle, who repeatedly told him to come no
further or he would be compelled to shoot
him. Nalle was standing with his back to
another rack bu6 short distance from the
one to which Waters horse was hitched
notwithstanding the warning he continued
to advance upon Mr. Nalle, and when
within about five feet, or nearer as some
say. and still advancing. with his knife
raised, Male shot him, the ball entering
just below and to the right of the heart,
severlng some one OF the main arteries. He
died within twenty minutes from the time
he was shot.
This was an unfortunate affair for many
reasons. Mr.. Wafer was a member of one
OF he best families in our parish, and ex-
cept when under the influence of liquor was
quiet, gentlsmanly young man, we'll liked
by all who knew him. When intoxicated
he was desperate and unreasonable. He
has frequently before been in some desper
ate atfrays when drinking His death was
avoidable His desperate character was
well known. We regret exceedingly that
he should have lost his life, but as the affair
is related to us we do not see how it could
well have been avoided. The whole COM
munity sympathize with his family, as also
with Mr.. Male, who, by his peculiar situa
ton Was forced to the commission of an act
which he would have gladly avoided.
Mr.. Nalle is known by all to be gentle
man OF unusually retired and quiet man
ners, and is highly esteemed by all who
know him.
; This morning Mr.. Nalle gave himself up
70 the authorities and is now undergoing |
his trial before Judge Scott. !
We are informed that Seaborn Walker is |
likely to recover.
We learn that Hlr. Salle has just been !
without blame, by Judge Scott. |
-SiaiJorne 3dtocate