, 1873-05-26
ALMOST A TRAGEDY.
Attempt to Kill Col. Io1lnhton Mt Fort
Porter, by DIR. John 81 Perkins.

Attcnspt to Kill Col. Jo1lnnton Mt Fort
Porter, by DIR. John y. Pur11lnx.
From the Ra1ato conntrefal, 1lav2s
An affair took place at Fort Portor yesterday
afternoon, the efroot Of which has beou to create
no little excitement aud speculation. Tho re-
unable to obtain fulf particulars, but such facta
az eDad n bG snra arc g gvSn ne1T nat
John 5. Porkins attempted to kill by shooting,
Col. Il. e. Johuston, commander Of tho post
Dr.. ,.porkin., man about 90 years Of nge, ,waB,
until somewhere about two montha SINCE
tho capacity Of Assistant Surgeon. Whom
tho city autlorItioa determined to appoint Dis
trict City Physicians, ho was namod as ono Of
thom, Sl,oroupon 10 ASKED Tor and received his
boon attending to ha dutioa aa District Phyai-
oian and practising his profession in tho city.
Botwoen and O'Clock yesterday afternoon,
Dr.. Porkana ontorod tho tort and proceeded to
man Was seated alono. What transpired inmo-
but ''} tho M Doctor @ handed tho Colonel lettor,
asking him to II as ,o + 1o1ane
ter, ho says, Dr.. porklnB went behind
him, drew small revolver and fred Mt him, put
nisscd d second ahot took etfoot IN tho left
then ran from hts quarters ont upon the parade,
pt,rgued by hle assailant, who fred three more
al,otH, one Of which struck him in the baok near
tho shoulder-b1ade.
tho firing from his room, adjoining TINT Of Col.
JohnBton-and Lieut.. Armstrong appeared upon
tho acone when the former prosecuted revolver
at tho Doctor and compelled him to stop. 1t
was found upon inspection that all the chambers
in tho revolver Of DR.. perlkina-a small weapon
Of Smith & WeBson's make-had been d1soharg-
cd, aayo ono, the cartridge In which missed 1iro.
DR.. Perkins waB conveyed to the guard-loubo,
whoro he WIS atill confined this morning. Or.
to drosa tho wounds Of Col. Johnston, which arc
Haid not to DO Borious.
It is stated that tho 1ottor hsndcd Col. john
ston by DR.. Perkins was an anonymous one, Eir-
made improper advances towards iis wife. eto.
There woro other rllmors In regard to the an9l!,
which 1t would not be proper to publish ct thus
time, or boioro III investigation is had. Tho ro-
portero wore not allowed to SEQ Or. PorLins at
tho fort, md henco NC aro unable TO give NIB
yeruIon Of tho matter.
It Tas atnted to our reporter tlAie morning, BY
d member Of the police foEco, tllat In tho colirRo
Of tho shooting Col. Johnston bud tlrod two
shots at DR.. Perkins.
Col. Johnston was unable to leavo his quarters
this morning, but. sent for Deputy Unitot!
8tates Marshal Tolou, and mhdo n formal
complaint. n warrant waa procured, and
dnoy dr. Rrtp' o w % 9e hsndSa s tasen t. Sooro
United StatoH Commissioner Scroggs for e1-
animation this aftoruoon at 8 o'clock, on tho
claaygo Of assault with dangerous weapon With
intent to kill. AS tho alleged oGense WIS COM
mittcd within grounds under tho exclusive juris.
diction of tho Government, tho case must OF
courso como boforo tho United States Court
LATER-A STATEMENT FROM DE-. PEnKlHB.
Since tho above was written, We hayo rccoiycd
note from DR.. Perkins, written at tho fort
guard-houso tlis morning and handed us BY Do
tectiye Dattol. After stating that ho wont to the
fort for tho purpose of npbralding Col: John
Btou for having. tiafonorod him (Dr. p.) ns Q
husband, OF which 10 claima to hayo tho mos
That I mado my errand known, .ht
attempted to draw his pistol seoint
that likewise Ind ono, lie turned a1<
raE. Aftor had discharged my pistol. he turnot
and fired ut mo, showing that his stntenent tx
tho reporter Of tho Erpfess thht Ills pistol Was
/ hanging in another room, is fals so."
Thoro aro other HtatomontB in the note OF Dr
Perkins, embodSing serious charges against Col
| to mako public, at this time, ct leaat.
| In justice to Col. Johnston 1t ehould bo atatct
| that he pronounces tho accusation q impropo
| intimacy with tho vito OF Dr. Perkins ultogl.
| without foundation in truth.