The Centinel, Gettysburg, Pa , July 8, 1812

Horrid Murder

Bardstown, (Ken.) April 16

It scarcely falls to the lot of the journalist to record a more afflicting catastrophe than one which was witnessed in this place, on Friday the 10^th inst.  As far as has been ascertained, the shocking circumstances of this cruel affair are as follows.

 Thomas Manson, (a boater) with a few companions had withdrawn to a retired room in a public house, it seems, for the purpose of enjoying themselves in frolic and festivity.  Sometime after Elam Rusk (of this neighborhood) came into the room; he was ordered to absent himself – upon which one of the chosen guests observed Mr. Rusk had been invited to the room by him.  This however did not reconcile Rusk as one of the party to Manson and he expressed his further displeasure at Rusk’s appearance; whereupon Rusk gave in replay that if his presence was objectionable, he would without further parlance withdraw and accordingly, was leaving the room when Manson gave him a blow.  Some little scuffling ensued between them; upon this occurrence they went out of doors.  Rusk observing to him as he left the room that if he was not more civil he might give him a beating.  Manson then appeared to urge a combat.  But Rusk declining any further altercation said he wished to be at peace and hoped Mr. Manson was not angry with him.  The affair here subsided for a moment.  Manson returned to his party and Rusk to the open passage of the house and when perceived by Manson, he drew a dirk from his bosom and pursued him.  Rusk fled and closed the door upon Manson but his antagonist being strongest burst the door against Rusk, who from hence fled into the street, still under the pursuit of Manson, who at every opportunity was thrusting the dirk into him – the devoted Rusk still endeavoring to escape, returned to the house and caught a chair which he interposed between him and the weapon, praying at the same time to Mr. Manson, ‘for God’s sake not to kill him.’  Manson answered, you damn’d rascal, I will butcher you and well he confirmed his threats by his actions, for by his redoubled exertions he was soon able to give him a thrust in the throat or temple, upon which he fell helpless at his feet and while thus weltering in his blood, received two other stabs from his antagonist.

Rusk in all received a great many wounds of which he expired in about an hour.

Manson was immediately arrested by the civil authority and committed to prison, where he now awaits his ultimate trial in June next.  The Coroner’s jury in inquest and the grand jury have both pronounced against him verdicts of willful murder.

The unfortunate Mr. Rusk emigrated from the city of Baltimore to this country about five years ago and has left a loving wife, a numerous family of loving children and an amiable sister to deplore the triple loss of a husband, a father and a friend.

And here let it be remarked that all the miseries of this horrible affair resulted from the accursed habit of wearing dirks, a practice in itself vile and malignant and well deserves the solemn execration of all the good members of civilized society – a practice that has gained such prevalence in this county, that no man is thought sufficiently equipped even for a ball room or any party of pleasure unless he has a dagger concealed in his bosom.  [Submitted by Nancy Piper]

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