The Daily Dispatch: October 10, 1861., [Electronic resource]

Shooting Affar in Fredericks Burg.

‘ The people of the lower end of the town were very much excited and disturbed on Sunday evening, caused by the discharge of a pistol. Upon an investigation as to the cause of this, it transpired that Mr. John Timberlake, Jr., son of the city jailor, and an attache of the railroad, and Mr. Dietrich, had an altercation, growing out of certain offensive words spoken by Dietrich of some young ladies, who were personal friends of Mr. T.'s. In the melee previous to the firing of the pistol, Mr. D., as alleged, struck Mr. T. several times over the head with the butt end of a rattan cane. This Mr. T. denied, and affirmed that the injury complained of — a wound on the forehead — was caused by the ball from the pistol. Three surgeons were called in and a majority decided that the injury must have been inflicted by the cane.

The witnesses were agreed that Mr. Timberlake made excellent time in leaving after Mr. D. drew the pistol upon him. The Mayor bound both parties over to keep the peace for six months, and reserved his decision on the morits of the question until this morning.

’