Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-07-31
The Addison-Garlsnd Tragedy.


sou, holding special term of the Circuit
Court of Mecklenburg county. had before
him on Thursday, Oh writ of habeaS cor
pus. Garland. charged with shooting and
killing Addison. and Boswell and Roach.
charged with being accessories. all three
applying for bail. which the examining court
Of magistrates in Lunenhurg had refused.
There was very full hearing Of the case
the fullest Yet had-and which lasted from
noon until II o'clock at night. The Com
monwealth was Represented by Common
wealths Attorney Orgain. Of Lunenburg.
and Mr.. Archibald H. Taylor, of Baltimore:
the defence by Major H. l.. Lee and Colonel
Thomas F. Goode. Among the witnesses
examined were Boswell Orgain. Roach. and
EaneS. all of whom We're present NJ the inn
promptu duel.
Garland was in court with his arm in Il
bandage and looking very badly. His de-
pressed physical condition and the dangers
Of confinement in Jail were two Of the strong
points urged in the application torhail. All
Of Miss Mamie Hatchetts letters. heretofore
published. were read.
Since the shooting. il is now said Garland
received a letter from her. written before
the news of the shooting reached her. rX
pressing herself satisfied with his cXplana-
ton forwarded by Garland through the
hands of Addison. Had this letter now
alleged TO be in existence. been received in
time-that is. before the l4lh Of Julv--it
would in all probability have led the way
10 an amicable arrangement between Gar
land and Addison. since if the lady express
ed herself satisfied Addison could have had
no further fault with Garland This inter
esting point. however. was not brought ont
! in the examination. but ii was the court
green talk. The hearing rs to evidence and
argument was very complete. and when
Colonel Goode closed his affective speech
Judge Dickinson announced his decision
that Boswell and Roach might give bail, the
| first in 81 900. the second in $500. but that
| he could not grant it to Garland. When
this last was said Garland'S father broke
out in sobs and tears really distressing 10
| hear.
| 1t may be added that there was no proof
| nor any foundation for the rumor that Bos-
we'll kept Addison covered by his pistol
While Garland empted his revolver upon
him. Addison's last shot Was aimed from
the tree. Whether he got behind ii tol
shelter or support is much-conlroverted
question. 1t was a hickory of about eight
or ten inches through Miss Hatchett was
not in court. She is i'll North Carolina
Boswell and Roach gave bail Garland goes
| back to jail
Mr.. R. I. Thorpe. Commonwealth At.
torney for Lunenburg county. introduced Il
the Court Mr.. Archibald II. Taylor, of Bal
tlmore, who, he said, is already practi.
| IF ln, in i
TO qualify TO practice in this court. There.
upon Mr.. Taylor was sworn by the clerk
Mr.. Taylor is an intimate friend of the Adj
disons, and at their request came on to helr
the attorney for the Commonwealth
The evidence would occupy several
columns, but contains no new features and
is only in detail what has already beer,
given TO the public in general way.
| The Court having disposed Of the applica.
tions of W. W. BOSWELL and John A. Roach
and admitted them to bail. poceeded tC
consider the application Of +. B. Garland
and reviewing the evidence touching the
charge against him, said Tin SUBSTANCE il
it might well be conceded that the accused
was laboring under deep sense of insult
and injury, occasioned by the letter from
Miss Hatchctt Of the 18th June, endorsed by
Addison, and for which he made himself
personally responsible 1t was natural tina,
he should feel indignation and resent,
ment for the insult and offensive cpithets
heaped upon him, and had he met his as
sailant Immediately thereafter, before cool
ing time had elapsed, and had slain him I'M
der the impulse Of the moment, much might
have been said in extenuation of his conduct
but having waited several weeks--a Suii
cient time for the subsistence Of excited pas
sions and for reason to assume lis sway--hl
is without the excuse ofhot blood.
Allowing Il week for the passage Of the
letters, there was a lapse of at least two
weeks-quite long enough for the passion:
of the moment to pass away and reason t
assume its sway.
Nor, said the Judge, can it be successful
ly maintained that because Addison free
the first shot, Garland is protected by the
plea of selt-defence, ifhe brought the neces
sity upon himself.
1t appears that Garland sought the lie
ceased Oh two successive DAYS, ACCOMPANIED
by two friends, who like himself were arm
ed. If he did not 90 for hostile purpose he
was fully prepared for it. Neither of the
friends who accompanied Addison wer,
armed or knew of the purpose of the meet
ing: nor had there been any previous ar
rangement for their presence till Boswell
told Addison he would prefer that he should
have some friends with him.
When they met in the road, and were in
troduced for the first time, after Il very few
words, one or the other assumed IN attitude
of attack. 1t is notabsolutely certain which
did so first, and in respect thereto there is
some conflict. The witness Eanes thinks
that Garland raised his hand as if to make
a gesture, but cannot say certainly whether
he did not raise his clenched fist as if tc
strike. Another witness Organ, who wa:
within u few feet of them, asserts with grea,
confidence, and with positive certainty, that
Garland raised his arm, with his list clench-
ed, as if to strike, and that Addison assumed
an attitude of defence.
1t is certain, as shown by all the witness.
es, that Garland first put his hand upon his
pistol which protruded visibly from his
pocket, before Addison had made any de-
monstraton, except of defence, to ward of
what seemed to he a threatened blow with
the fist : and that when he saw Garland
take hold of his pistol as if draw ii he
said. None Of that" stepped back and
| IN inl- 1I-H ha f., L., l.