Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-04-18

A WEppINGASD AMURDER--HonRIBLE TRAGEDY.--
We have already stated in columns that Captain
james II. Deyier of Rockingham county, Va, was
brutality murdered on the night OF Thursday, April
9Th The arrisonburg Register, of Friday, furnishes
the following particulars:
A wedding and murder n most shocking, unpre-
voked and horrible murderoccurred at the residence
of Mr.. Hugh Dever, near North River, in this coun-
ty, on Thursday night Of last week, On Thursday
evening Mr.. Vim. Price Sites and Miss Maria Agnes
Devier were married. large and pleasant company
being in attendance the celebration OF the nuptas
AT q late hour in th c night, between eleven and
twelve o'clock, party OF men from the neighbour
hood who had not been invited to the wedding, and
who had pro badly taken offence thereat, stimulated
bv strong drink, determined 10 annoy tho wedding
guests and the family by blowing horns, firing guns,
ringing bells, and other noiiy demonstrations near
Mr.. Deyiers residence. Not wishing to suffer the an
noyance, Capt James II. De,er, son Of Hugh De1er,
Mr. John II. Devier, his brother, and Mr, George {.
Patterson, went out to expustulate with the disturb
ers of the peace and TO ask them TO retire As the
Messrs. Deyer and Patterson came out of the door
the nose-making party rrirented into one OF Mr..
Siakemores fields by; aud supposing they woull
retire altogether Messrs, James II, Dever and Patter
son continued to follow one party, and Mr.. John II.
Devier another without however using amy threaten
ing, offensive or menacing language, and OF course,
anticipating no harm. They had followed but short
distance, hen OF tho party by the name ufSmall-
wood, stopped suddenly. turned arouLd, and dschar-
ced gun, loaded with Buckshot, at Captain Deser
killing him almost instantly. Several OF the shots
cutered his forehead neck and face, and be fell quv
etng in his tracks. without uttering word. Mr..
Patterson WAS about FIVE feet from him when he fell
but received no injury.
The dreadful tragedy created the greatest excitement
possible in the neghborhood, rs Capt D. was nnyer-
sally esteemed for lis noble qualities. lie leaves
widow and two children to bewail their sudden and
unexpected bereavement
- The murderer fled Immediately after dscharGing
his gun and up to this time Thursday morning not
quite week since the occurrence) nothing has been
heard ofhim. He dropped his hat and gun in his
flight He had resided on Captain Deciers land mp
to the evening of the tragedy and had received moth
ing but kindness Mt the hands of his victim. What
prompted him to slay his bencfactor, is a mystery
known only to the searcher OF hearts. The murder
or is also married n,and has wife and two chill
dren who have now TO monrn over nh act which has
more than widowed and orphaned them.
Tn Friday morning, warrant WAS issued for Tie
arrest Of Daniel llansberger, Addison llansberger,
James liansberger, Samuel Cook. samuel Thuma,
John Cook, Robert Reeves, James Shepherd and
Franklin and Robert Smallwood all Of whom were
suspected of having connection with the dreadful al
fair which has Terminated tragcayl All the par
ties named, with the exception OF Franklin and Robt.
'Smillwood were arrested and taken before justices
Dice, Black and Speek who, after an examination of
the case, released Addison aud james Hamburger and
james Shepherd, and held the others TO bail in the
sum Of five hundred dollars each to answer before
examining court be held in Earrisonbnrg on Mon
day next.
We have had, from parties the spot when the
tragedy occurred the fullest particulars of the Whole
nlir; but it is to undergo judicial Investigation, we
forbear further ansion to the sad and melancholy
eurrence--an occurrence which has caused the pro-
foundest grief, only in the neighborhood where it
7transpired, but throughout the county