The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-11-27
A MYSTERIOUS CASE.
An Unprovoked Midnight Assault
and Its Consequence.
The Assailant Probably MOrtally
Wounded.
Statement of One of the Parties.

We learn the following particulars of most
mysterious and apparently unwarranted as
sault, from Mr. Henry Gascon, chief clerk of
| Mr.. Brewster, from whom he received the in
formation. The affair should be investigated
az soon as possible, and the mystery unrav-
eled.
Senator O. 81. Brewster, desiring to see
some land and an orange grove about fifty
miles below Lockport, left the city on the Oath
inst. on the early morning train and arrived at
Raceland about o'clock. AS most of the re-
mainder of the journey had to be accom-
plished on horseback or in buggy, he deter
mined to postpone his visit until the follow
ing day, and having letter of introduction
to Mr.. Harang, who resided about eight miles
from Lockport he decided to pay him visit,
| and for the purpose hired buggy from MIR.
Holden, who keeps hotel and livery stable,
and received the services of young Holden as
driver and guide.
He was very kindly received by Mr.. Ha-
rang, who extended to him very cordial in
vitation to stay all night at his house. The
invitation was accepted, and as there were
other visitors at the house, all had quite
the hour for retiring came. Mr.. H ,rang es-
corted Mr.. Brewster and young Holden to
their room, which was situated in the yard ad-
joining the house and some little distance
from it.
The gentlemen retired and all was quiet
until about II o'clock, when they were
awakened by loud rapping at the door, and
heard somebody cursing and threatening them
in the most vindictive manner, unless they
should vacate the room. Upon their asking
who was there, the curses and threats were
rene we'd, and the noise became 80 great that
Mr. B. thought there must be several persons
outside, and so refused to open the door, but.
Immediately arose and commenced to dress
himself.
While thus engaged the intruder suddenly
jumped through the window and seized him
violently by the collar, the attack being sud-
den and apparently with murderous intent.
Mr.. B. Immediately drew his pistol and fired.
His assailant fell to the floor and Mr.. B.
fastened to the house, followed by Holden,
awoke the family and told them the whole
circumstance.
And now comes tho strangest part of the
story. When the gentlemen proceeded to the
room occupied by Mr.. B., and took with them
lights to investigate the matter, they discov-
cred that the assailant was none other than
the young nephew of Mr.. Harang. What
cause could have prompted the attempt is
still mystery; the only probable solution
being that the room had been occupied by
young Harang, and he possibly being either
greatly angered or under the influence of
liquor, determined to GUST the visitors.
Mr.. Brewster does not remember having
seen the young man at the supper table, or,
indeed, anywhere previous to the assault, and
can attribute no reason whatever for his
strange conduct AS soon as possible after
the occurrence, and, indeed before it was
known how dangerously young Harang was
wounded, Mr.. B. proceeded to Thibodeaux-
vile, and stating to the proper authorities the
whole affair, surrendered himself as their
prisoner.
There being no reason why he should be
imprisoned, he was released on parole, and
came Immediately to the city, having given
mis- address here, with instructions that he be
kept informed of young Harang's condition.
As yet, nothing more has been learned, but
Mr.. Brewster is anxiously awaiting Geographic
dispatches which will probably throw more
light on the affair.
Of course the entire matter is very painful
to Mr.. Brewster, but it can be regarded only
as very unfortunate occurrence, the above
details of which completely absolve him
| from any responsibility for the result. We
sincerely trust Mr.. Harang may recover,
although it is thought he was very danger
| ously wounded.
| Old Winston was negro preacher in Virginia,
and his ideas of theology and human nature were
| OTTER, very original. gentleman thus accosted
4 ~ II r