Preview
Identifier
KF 223 .S4 1807
Creation Date
1807
Description
Trial of Thomas O. Selfridge ... before the Hon. Isaac Parker ... for Killing Charles Austin. Bowton: Published by Russell and Cutler… et al., 1807.
Benjamin Austin, a Republican, organized a separate Fourth of July party after it became clear that Boston’s official celebration would be dominated by Federalists. Austin’s party was a success; however, a large crowd resulted in higher than estimated expenses. Austin refused to pay more than the estimated price to the caterer, who then hired Selfridge to press Austin to pay. The dispute was settled. However, Austin and Selfridge continued to post attacks on each other in Boston newspapers. This came to a head when Charles, Benjamin’s 18-year-old son, struck Selfridge with a walking stick, and Selfridge shot and killed him. Selfridge was arrested for manslaughter and found not guilty due to the “stand your ground” in self-defense argument.