Richmond Daily Times

Close of the Lynchburg Tragedy--Death of Mr. Terry.

The Lynchburg Virginian of Thursday the 12th inst. comes to us with those deep dark lines which so strikingly indicate that a paper bears mournful intelligence. We need not say that the occasion for these insignia of grief was the death of Mr. Terry, the editor of that journal.

In the article making the sad announcement, we find the following account of Mr. Terry's combat with Mr. Saunders, and of the circumstances that preceded and followed it:

On the 26th ult., this paper, at the request of the author, copied from the Republican a communication signed "Campbell," defending Dr. Saunders from strictures upon his conduct, in the Convention, upon the basis question, which appeared in the Liberty Sentinel. Mr. Terry, in transferring the article in question to his columns, as he had not published the editorial article of the Sentinel to which it was a response, and as he did not concur with "Campbell" in his argument or conclusions, thought it necessary to express his own views upon the point under discussion. This he did in terms the most respectful and courteous, as was his habit, free from all personalities and ascription of wrong motives. Dissent from the opinions, or censure of the course, of a public servant upon an occasion of the highest State interest, could scarcely be couched in language more mild and gentleman-like, consistently with proper conceptions of the duty and freedom of the press.

On seeing this editorial, Dr. Saunders wrote a letter to the Republican, which was copied into the Virginian of Thursday last, and, from its personal character, naturally elicited a reply of a different temper from the article of the 26th ult. Of these two productions it is not our purpose to speak. They were published side by side and the readers of this paper have had the opportunity of forming their own opinions-our business is with the deplorable consequences.

On Thursday morning, about 8 o'clock, Mr. Terry whilst conversing with a gentleman at the corner of the Market House, was approached by Mr. Jas. D. Saunders, eldest son of Dr. Saunders, who asked, "Is this Mr. Terry"? On receiving an affirmative answer. Mr. Saunders struck Mr. Terry three blows on the head with a walking cane. Mr. Terry was staggered by the severity of the assault, but promptly rallied and drew an improved Colt pistol. At this moment, Mr. Biggers, one of our most efficient Police officers, from a high sense of duty and at the imminent risk of his life, gallantly threw himself between the parties, and called in vain upon the bystanders for assistance. Mr. Terry's first shot was without effect-Mr. Saunders, who was armed with two small self-cocking pistols, fired, the ball taking effect in Mr. Biggers' leg. Mr. Terry discharged a second shot, which unfortunately struck Mr. Biggers in the fleshy part of his arm, passing between the bones and inflicting a severe wound. Thus disabled and finding his efforts not seconded, Mr. Biggers stepped aside, leaving the space clear. Mr. Saunders fired a second time, the ball striking Mr. Terry a little below the chest and passing into the stomach. After each fire, Mr. Saunders threw his pistols at Mr. T. Mr Terry discharged his pistol, after receiving his antagonist's fire, and with fatal effect, the ball striking Mr. Saunders' abdomen, and passing out obliquely to the left. The parties then closed, and Mr. Saunders wrested the pistol from Mr. Terry's hand, applied the muzzle to his head, and would have killed him instantly, but that he was supposed not to be acquainted with the mechanism of the lock. The parties were then separated and supported by friends walked a short distance-Mr. Saunders to the chamber of Messrs. Mosby & Holcombe, and Mr. Terry to the residence of Dr. Blackford. Mr. Terry's wound was, from the first, believed by himself and feared by his friends to be mortal. Mr. Saunders, on the contrary, was at first not supposed to have received a fatal injury, but the symptoms became rapidly of more alarming character, and, after suffering a great deal of pain, he expired about 5 o'clock, P. M. Mr. Terry lingered until Sunday at 8 o'clock, P. M.

We have never witnessed so deep and universal an interest as was manifested by the citizens of Lynchburg during the few days that Mr. Terry lingered an interest which now surrounds, with all its holy and consoling influences, his smitten and desolate household. Hour after hour, as his waning strength rendered his condition more and more critical, a solicitude the most painful pervaded and seemed almost to petrify the entire community, and when it became known that his fate was inevitable, and his end at hand, men "unused to weep" awed by the solemnities of the scene and yielding to the impulses of an irrepressible sympathy, wept like children. All that medical skill could do to avert a fatal issue was promptly and unremittingly supplied--all that the most affectionate attention could offer to ease his sufferings and brighten his latest moments on earth was ever at hand-all that counsel and prayer could contribute to sustain him in the dread hour of dissolution, and guide and cheer him through "the dark valley and shadow of death," was freely and fervently bestowed.

Never was the mortal hour consecrated by holier proofs of affection or higher exhibitions of courage. The composure, the firmness and amenity which marked the closing scene, were almost superhuman. Mr. Terry displayed a magnanimity which was more than forgiveness, and a heroism that was higher than courage. He gave a sublime example how the brave man dies, and "the good man meets his fate." His calmness was never for a moment disturbed, and his anxiety for the condition of his antagonist (of whose fate he was kept in ignorance,) as shown by frequent inquiries and the earnest expression of a hope that he would recover, proved that all resentment had passed out of his heart. Alas! alas! that such a man should so suddenly go from among us-that so noble an existence should end-that so gallant a spirit should cease to glow in a living form.

Monday evening, his remains were borne from the residence of Dr. Blackford, to their last resting place in the Presbyterian grave-yard, followed by much the largest funeral procession ever witnessed in the town.— Twenty of our most highly respected citizens, clothed with symbols of mourning, attended the body as Pall-bearers; and Gen. Rhodes, Messrs. D. A. Wilson, Jr. Jas. M. Langhorne, and Francis B. Deane, Jr., mounted as Marshals, formed and directed the procession.— The funeral sermon was preached to a densely crowded house by the Rev. Mr. Vaughan of the first Presbyterian Church, from the words-Consider the work of God: for who can make that straight which he hath made crooked!" Eccl. chap. vii, ver. xiii.

During the performance of the obsequies, all business was suspended—the stores closed—and the whole town wore the aspect of sorrow. The Superior Court, then in session, had adjourned upon the day of the catastrophe, and remained in recess until the day following the interment,

Over the grave a touching prayer was offered, invoking heavenly aid for her whose bowed form was sunk upon the earth, by the side of all that remained of him who was her idol and her stay, and those beautiful children, who were weeping away their little hearts, over the unheeding clay of him who was their guide and protector. God help the widow and the orphan!

At the grave, a letter was read from Dr. Thos. P. Atkinson of Danville, thanking the citizens of Lynchburg, on the part of Mr. Terry's afflicted family and friends, for the kindness and sympathy manifested towards the lamented dead.

Mr. Terry (proceeds the Virginian) was a native of the county of Pittsylvania, and was born in December 1815, and was consequently in the thirty-sixth year of his age, when he met his untimely fate. He was liberally educated and graduated with credit to himself at Princeton College, in 1839, and a few weeks afterwards married Miss Stockton, of that place, a lady bearing one of the historical names of New Jersey. Returning to Virginia, he prepared himself for the bar and practised for some years the profession of the Law. Some three years since, he became the Editor of the Danville Register, and, in December last, as our readers are aware, connected himself with the Virginian.

We shall leave it to an abler pen, to do justice to the rare qualities which made him the idol of his family and friends. Though comparatively a stranger in Lynchburg, his modest and unpretending manner had not served to conceal from many of his associates the blended courtesy and firmness of his nature and the lofty moral tone which pervaded his character. With a prepossessing personal appearance and address, and great suavity of manner he was remarkable for promptness and decision. Forming his opinions with cool deliberation, he adhered to them with firmness and indeed with tenacity. Scrupulously observant of the rights of others, the very contour of his face indicated that he was one who would not suffer his own to be infringed. His calmness and self-possession were conspicuously displayed, not less in the brief and fatal rencontre, than in the hours of mortal agony which intervened between that and his death, and to which we have already alluded.

The Virginian closes its article with the following pleasing and touching incident:

The vast crowd, who attended Mr. Terry's remains to their long resting place, returned, silent and thoughtful, to their own homes and slept. On the morrow, as men walked forth in the streets, undefined sadness was seated on their countenances-each seeming to feel more than he could utter-and all borne down by the sincerest grief. Can nothing more be done for the noble dead, seemed to quiver on every lip? Alas! the answer came-all that can be, has been done for him. But a bright thought, all at once, seemed to possess and relieve the public mind. Mr. Terry has left a widow and four beautiful children. Let Lynchburg rear and educate these lovely orphans and try to make them happy. With electric rapidity, the gracious thought spread through the town, giving joy and gladness to the countenances of men, and now making them feel happy in the prospect of doing good. In eight hours from that moment as many thousand dollars in cash, were raised for this noble purpose-and other certain contributions promised-enabling us to state the gratifying fact, that the citizens of Lynchburg will immediately invest the sum of TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS as a permanent fund to rear and educate these dear children, in a manner commensurate with their worth, and the fond hopes and aspirations of their noble father.