Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-11-17
BY YESTERDAY EVENINGS MAILS.
The Recent Homicide in fauq uier

red AT the Rectortown Station, on the ManaS-
sas Gap Railroad, between Mr.. {. K. Ayres,
and James Philips, which resulted III the
almost instantaneous death Of the former,
aud as the statement i'll regard to the sad
affair, in some respects is incorrect, will
attempt 10 give you as correct statement
in reference to the whole transaction, as lies
in nv power This sad calamity originated
in regard to Road between Charles r.
Avres. and W. W. Philips. and on Friday
afternoon, about two O'Clock, the parties
casually met in the public road, near the
residence OF the deceased and when the
usual sautations OF the day were exchanged
in the presence of a third disinlerested party,
the deceased remarked 20 Mr.. Philips.
that he desired 10 exchange word or 50
with him privately; thereupon the parties
proceeded short distance, when they COM
menced the conversation in Il low subdued
tone, not audible entirely to the third party,
when, as it were OF a sudden, Phillips pro-
ceeded IL short distance from the dec d., and
used very offensive language TO the decd.
Thcreupon the decd advanced towards Phil
ips with small riding whip, and struck
him lightly over the shoulders once. Phil
ips thereupon hurricdly lett the dec d., ami
remarked as he rode OFT, that you will pay
for this. This was the end OF the first contro-
vcrsy. Philips then appeared III Rectortcwn
late in the evening, some short time before
shutdown, accompanied by his son, Samuel
{. Philips, both having i'll their hand--thc
elder rifle, and the son douhle-barrel
shot gun. Whilst riding through Rector
town, the elder Philips inquired Tor the
decd; not finding him i'll town they proceed
ed distance of threc-quarters Of 4 mile to
Rectortown Station, when the elder Philips
aiighted, and went into the store, leaving his
son on horseback outside; the elder Philips
then aud there inquired for the dec d. again;
not finding him he remounted his horse and
retraced his steps to Rcctortown, accompa.
MED by his son. When arriving opr Isitc Mr..
Cridler's shoe-maker-shop h" was met by u
witness and asked witness if he had
any paper. that he wished to send Il few
lines 10 the deceased. Witness then open
ed the door for the purpose OF getting
some paper, not knowing of the pres
ence Of the deceased III the shop. WIT
ness was then met by the deceased, near
the door with II Colts fvc-shooter III his
hand: seeing then the demonstrations be-
tween the parties, he attempted 10 interfere
b; forcing the deceased back into the house,
and closing the door Philips and son III
the meantime had dismcunted, and were lev
cling their guns at the window. Deceased
then remarked TO the witness, '!et me go,
they will shoot me through the window. =
Witness then called upon Mr.. Cridler, anoth-
er witness, to hold the deceased, whilst he
went out to hold Philips. When the deceas-
ed was released, he advanced and fired at
Philips through the window, and iminedl-
ately rs the door was opened by first wit
ness, deceased advanced 10 the door and fir
ed the second shot ut the elder Philips-thc
elder Philips shot almost simultaneously
with the deccascd's second shot, and the de-
ceased received his death wound in his lett
breast through the heart; the deceased be-
ing lett handed, and using his pistol III his
left hand. upon receiving the shot IN his
left breast threw up his right hand upon
the wound and remarked that he was shot
through the heart. FIRST witness ran 70
Philips and dsarmed him Of his Rifle. where
upon he drew an Allen, Revolver, of which
witness again disarmed him. The dec'd stag
gered back and Immediately received the
second shot from double barrel shot gun
iii the hands the younger Philips upon his
right hand whilst placed upon his left breast.
lie then fell aud died in the space of two
minutes. Such is the evidence before the
cornners inquest, rs acar Is we can CLEAN it.
The remains of the deceased were convey
ed 10 his last resting place on Sunday morn
ing. IN the Church ard Of the village, follow
~ Ia
friends and relations, when the funeral
services of the Episcopal Church were per
formed and some very appropriate remarks
were made by the Rev. MIR. Shields, which
seemed to make deep and lasting impression
upon the audience. 80 mote Il be. II.
A correspondence Warrenton says, the
paragraph i'll the Gazette OF the 18th III re-
laton to the killing of c. X. Ayres. at Rec
tortown, does some injustice to the facts OF
the case. Ii states, 1t was reported that III !
difficulty between Ayres, and Jas. Philips,
the former struck the latter with cowhide,
whereupon Philips drew pistol and shot
him, killing him instantly The evidence
produced ut the curUners inquest. which
was written down, and is now in the Clerks
Office of the County Court, i'll this place,
makes the circumstances substantially these,
VIM W esley Phl!iys, tnot James Philips a.
was stated and Z. Il. Ayres, met about :
p NJ, on Friday last, IN the road adloln-
ing the farm Of Ayres, and leading TO Rec
tortown. 1t seems there was some misunder-
standing between them about gate. Tney
stepped aside, (there were three persons pre-
sent. and entered into Il conversation III 50
low Il tone that il was uninteliigible 10 those
ncar-except as Philips rode of ne was heard
to apply very insulting epthet 70 Ayrcs,
who Immediately struck or struck nj INN
with small riding whip he had IN his
hand. Philips rode on, remarking that he,
Ayres, should pay for that.
About two hours after this occurrence,
Philips and his son, Samuel {. Philips, rode
into Rectortown armed-the former with i
rifle and revolver, and the latter with i double
barreled shot gun, and inquired al several
places and oi several persons, Tor Ayres, and
finally found him at the shop of Mr.. Crldier;
they dismounted from their horses, and ask
ed II Ayres was in. lie heard them and
answered from within the shop that he was.
Very Insulting and abusive language, was
made use j! to him the father cried out 10
him. have you your pistol! aud was answered
in the affirmative. AT this time he hal
snrnnp from his seat To meet the attack which