The Daily Advertiser

Particulars of an unfortunate circumstance which lately happened, in North-Carolina: mention of which was made under the Wilmington head, published in this paper of the 20th ult.

Colonel B. Shepherd, a man of considerable property, and great influence in Dobbs county, a few weeks past, paid an evening's visit to one of his neighbors, with whom he had ever lived in the greatest friendship and harmony. Late in the evening, the new proposed constitution became the subject of conversation. Colonel Shepherd, a declared federalist, gave his opinion with freedom, and declared his wish to see it adopted.—His neighbor, an anti-federalist, opposed it with much warmth; but finding all his objections readily answered by the Colonel, became very warm and abusive. After receiving several gross insults, Colonel Shepherd, with his hand open, touched him on the cheek, and expressed himself in the following words: 'Your language is too abusive to be submitted to; nothing but your age now protects you from that punishment which you should receive.' The anti-federalist immediately ran out of the house, attended by some of his followers, who armed themselves with axes—The Colonel, not knowing their design, left the house to return home; it being dark, they way-laid him, and with an axe gave him a stroke on the head, which, from its violence, threw him on the ground—the blow was immediately repeated on his breast—One of his friends, who was in the house, hearing his voice, ran out, when he found Col. Shepherd on the ground, almost void of speech, and insensible, the blood running from his nose, mouth, and ears, in considerable quantities. The alarm was immediately given to Col. Shepherd's neighbouring friends, who collected to resent his injury. The antifederal party hearing them approach the house, concealed themselves till they had nearly reached the door, when one of them fired a rifle, and wounded Captain Stephanus Shepherd dangerously in the arm. The federalists, being numerous, overpowered the other party, and with the rifle that had been fired, broke the arm of the anti-federalist who fired it, and wounded him severely in several other places. The wounded remained in this situation for many hours; their friends despairing of their recovery—At length a Doctor Leigh, who resides in some part of the state arrived, and by his assiduity and attention, has restored them to perfect health, after amputating Capt. Shepherd's arm. It seems that no reconciliation has yet taken place between the parties.