The Daily Dispatch: July 23, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Desperate affray in Lynchburg.

‘ A fight occurred between two Irishmen named John Spillman and Robert Searson, which resulted in Spillman's ripping open the abdomen of his adversary with a bowie-knife, from the effects of which Searson died almost instantly. As soon as Spillman committed the deed, he ran into his house, when he was pursued by Col. Leftwich, accompanied by one of his negroes, whom he called to assist him in arresting Spillman. While in the domicile, Messrs. John Pick and David Lawson ran in to see what was the matter. When they entered they met Col. L.'s negro, who they supposed was the person who had killed Searson. In attempting to arrest him, the negro (being a large, athletic man) knocked them both down. As Mr. Pick attempted to arise, he seized the negro. At that moment, Col. L. came out of the room with the knife in his hand that he had taken from Spillman, and supposing that Pick was a comrade of Spillman's about to kill the negro, he made at him with the knife, inflicting a serious wound upon the back of the hand.--The wound is not thought to be dangerous.--Spillman also had his head badly cut, and is thought to be dangerously hurt, the instrument with which the wound was inflicted having gone through the periosteum; but the skull is supposed by the examining physician not to be fractured. Spillman and the negro were taken before the Mayor, who continued the case until next week.

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