The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-31

Tue laliu[e OF MS last pistol, when he
seemed to shrink rather than resist.
Lawrence was handsome young man
of about 35 years, small in stature, with
pale complexion, black hair, dark eyes,
and genteel department, and was well
dressed.
The Seeper of the rotunda stated that
he had frequently observed the man
about the Capitol, so often that he had
tried to draw him into conversation,
but had found him taciturn and un-
willing to talk. On the day in ques-
ton he kept prowlipg about, but did
not come within the railing near the
members seats. His hand was held
inside his vest, as if grasping some
thing, and his lips were pale and quiv-
ering.
On his pistols being taken from him
after the affair, they were found to he
a very elegant pair, in excellent order,
and loaded with powder and ball al
most to the mu2zle, the barrels being
about six inches long. It was q most
astonishing circumstance. almost reach
ing to the miraculous, that. loaded as
they were and of such perfect mschan-
ism, both pistols missed fire. 1t was q
dual lottery Of life and death, and the
hero Of New Orleans, with his usual
good luck, drew q prize each time!
There was probably in our native
history no more Interesting test Of fire.
arms than that made Immediately after
the affair by District Attorney Key
and General Hunter, the Marshal Of
the OSTRICH, on Lawrence's pistols.
This was done with some Of the re-
naming powder, balls and caps Of the
prisoner, and the result showed that,
loaded in the ordinary manner, the
discharge of the weapons took place
every time, and their power was such
that the bullet would pass through an
inch board at a distance of nine yards
and nearly bury itselfin a second board
at further distance of about as many
yards.
So great was the excitement pro-
duced by the affair that some Of the
most eminent opponents Of the Presi-
dent, including such men az Clay,
Calhoun, Poindexter, and White, were,
in the frenzy Of the moment, suspected
of having conspired in plot to get rid
of the President.
But in this affair "there was a wo-
man in the case'' it appears. It was
ascertained that sometime previous
Lawrence had formed an attachment
for young lady and frequently told
bis sister that be would, by his indus
try, soon be able to buy corner lot
and build on it good house, when he
would marry the object of his attach
ment.
With tbs view he labored day and
night until he had about $500. But he
was disappointed and became extreme
ly pensive, quit all employment, and
would stand for hours gazing upon the
spot which he had selected for his
future residence. He became hope
lessly insane. This was shown at his
trial, when it was developed that he
had claimed his right to the crown Of
England and had called on the Presi-
dent and demanded money, threaten
ing death to him if it was not soon
forthcoming.
The jury, after being out dve min
utes, rendered q verdict of mot guilty,
he having been under the influence Of
insanity at the time of committing the
act"
Rut before the trial and its termina-
ton the intense excitement produced
by the act throughout the country had
about wholly subsidized. Az for Law
renee, he was sent to lunatic asylum,
where he remained an inmate the rest
of his life, nearly forty years.