Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-03-06
Terrible Tragedy in Henry County, Virginia.
The usually quiet and law-abiding people of

terrible Tragedy in Henry County, Virginia
The usually quiet and law-abiding people Of
the county of Henry, have been intensely excited
for the past three or four days, in consequence
of terrible tragedy-or rather triple tragedy
that was enacted in their midst on Saturday
last. The particulars reached US last evening
through a source entirely reliable. The details
although not as full as we shall doubtless be en-
abled to give at an early day, are sufficient to
cause a thrill of horror at their mere recital.
1t appears according to the version given US
that some years since, granddaughter OF the
venerable and talented Vincent Witcher, Esq.
of Pittsylvania county, married gentleman
from the adjoining county of Henry, whose name
was Clemens. His Christian name we have beer
unable to ascertain. The maiden name of Mr.
Witcher's granddaughter was Smith. The par
ties lived happily together until about eighteen
months since, when, upon the most unfounded
suspicious, as we have been informed, Mr.. Glenn
ems desired separation from his wife, and i'm
medately instituted proceedings for a divorce
at the same time impeaching her honor as the
grounds for his course.
Last Saturday was set apart for the taking o
depositions aud the parties met at magisteria
precinct in Henry county.
Mr.. Witcher appeared to defend the suit and
protect the honor Of his granddaughter.
The taking of the dispositions progressed, and
after the plaintiff had finished with a witness
Mr.. Wtcher asked question, which greatly
exasperated the husband, Mr.. Clemens. He i'm
mediately arose, drawing pistol at the same
time, and fired at Mr.. Witcher Mr.. Witcher
it seems, also quickly rose, and drew pisto
from his pocket, and as the ball of his antago
mist grazed around the abdomen, he fired, strik
ing Clemens in the forehead, and killing him in
stantly.
A nephew of Mr.. Witcher, and Mr.. Smith
brother of Mrs. Clemens, Learing the firing
rushed into the room. A brother of Mr.. Glenn
ems, who had also been attracked by the pisto
, reports, fired at nephew of Mr.. Witcher, thu
ball taking effect, and producing, it is feared,
fatal wound. Upon seeing his nephew shot, Mr.
Vincent Witcher again fired, striking Clemen
No 2, and killing him instantly.
At this stage of the sanguinary affair, MI
Smith, brother of Mrs. Clemens, drew bow
ie-knife, but had scarcely unsheathed the blade
when he was fred upon by second brothe
of Clemens, the ball taking effect in the shoulder
and producing painful wound. Infuriated b
his wound, Mr. Smith rushed upon his antago
mist, and with one powerful thrust of the knife
: completely dsemboweled Clemens No. 8, tn
unfortunate man falling dead on the spot.
Three of the parties dead, and the other tire
all wounded, the horrible tragedy here ended.
: Vincent Witcher, Esq, the chief actor in thi
truly terrible affair, is widely known Throughout
. Virginia. He served for many years in the low
er House of the Legislature, aud subsequent
! represented his District in the State Senate wit
Il signal ability. He is q prominent member c
n the Wing party, and his name has been repeat
. eddy mentioned in connection with the Office {
; Governor of the Commonwealth. He succeede
Whitmell P Tunstall, upon the death of tia
: gentleman, as President of the Richmond an
l. Danville Railroad. After two years service b
d resigned the Presidency of the road, and hs
since been engaged in the practice of his profes
: :. sion-that of lawyer.
Our informant states that throughout th
is painful suit, which Mr. Witcher believes to hav
r, been instituted against an innocent grand-daugh
i err, he has acted with great forbearance, and til
:. part he has been compelled fipaly to act, Wi
. be with none. g source of deeper regret tina
: Misunderstanding Egpress Of 29th ult.
e The Express of the 1st inst. gives some add
l. tional information in reference to this bloody
e fair. The name of the man killed is Clemen
! and not Clemens. All of the parties occupy
high social position in their respective countit
IL the Clements belonging to Franklin and ii
: Witchers to Pittsylvania. James Clement an
b Miss Victoria Smith, daughter of the late D
J. Albert Smith, were married two years ago la
a Fall, and lived happily together for some tim
. At length the husband became jealous of h
- wife and treated her SO harshly that she left
IL house and returned to her mothers. By the az
vice of friends, she, not he) last FALL institute
q. suit for divorce Soon afterwards the partis
% met to take dispositions, and Clement making
- charge against a young man named Gilbert, VIII
u was present, in connection with bis wife, pisto
E. were drawn and nine shots exchanged. Gilbel
IS and his brother and two of the Clements WEI
lie injured, but not seriously. Clement had OF
tanned possession of child, the only issue OF th
u marriage, which Mr.. Witcher recovered and RI
stored to its mother, by legal process. This eli
lie cumstance imbttered the parties still more.
If Mr.. Witcher and his grandsons gave then
4 selves up to the civil authorities, and were in
mediately acquitted.