Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-03-08
Letter to the Richmond Examiner
TERRIBLE AFFRAY IN PITTSYLvANIA, vIR.
GINA

Some two or three years since, James Gle
ments married Miss Victoria Smith. the
granddaughter of Captain Vincent Witcher,
who was lady of extreme beauty and charm
ing character Shortly after the marriage,
Clements commenced course of harsh treat
ment to his wife, which terminated some four
months since i'll being compelled to leave his
house at midnight, in her night clothes, to es-
cape from his fury. 1t seems he was the VIC
tim of wild suspicious of her fidelity, and
charged her publicly with the crime. This,
of course aroused the indignation of all her
friends and from that moment the "war OF
the roses" commenced. She filed her bill
in the chancery ciIcuit court of Franklin coun-
ty, praying divorce menSa ct More Notices
were served for the taking of dispositions, and
some four months SINCE at Sandy Level, in
this county, when the taking of the deposit
tons was being conducted Mr. James Glen
ents and Baph, his brother, got into free
fight with Mr.. VIM. Gilber, and his brother.
about the charges against Mrs. Clements, in
which there were fifteen or twenty shots fired,
and there are four men wounded. Time rolled
on, and each party-the Clements and their
friends on one side, the Wtchers Gibers and
ssheir friends on the other,-swear,ng ven.
geance and armng for a deadly struggle when
it should come.
On last Saturday, at Dickinson's store, 81
miles west of this place, the taking of deposi.
tons in this divorce case was being conducted.
when one of the three Clements gave Captain
Vincent Witchcr the lie. Capt. Witcher rose
from his seat, and asked Clements to repeat
what he said, SO that he might not misunder-
stand him. In reply to this, James Clements
(brother of the one who gave the e) fired
~ -t2t trom fye=shooter at Captain Witcher.
f.ssSs -, sc; general slaughter,
and each one cried "havoc" and commenced
firing with five and six shooters and slashing
with bowie.kniyes. Capt. Wicher drew his
Colts navy six-shooter, and commenced the
work of death. The two Smiths brothers of
Mrs Clemenis) sprung to the rescue with re-
volvers and kniies; Addison Wtcher (son of
Capt. W. rushed in to the scene of blood to
save his father; whilst, on the other SIDE the
tilree u ments were firing in rapid succession
they fell.
"a me nght occurred in a small room 16 by
~ se.' Alter tile curtain had fallen on the
S"Vsins scene OF the tragedy, the room was
n'leu win smoke, the floor puddled with hu-
man soJe'and all three Of the Clements stretch
~ Ieo" :" un'r blood, riddled with balls and
slasneu win knives. The two Smiths were
both badly wounded by shots Add;sor'
Wltcher had ba-holcs through his clotbos and
hair; whilst Capt. Witchor roma;ns ,,,'a...i.
ed The deceased Clements have fivo a" So",h
ers living who are collecting their fr;ands ,,l
S,ansheh ior pitched battle, whilst Tie
Wltehers are arming and preparing for their lei,
reception. The end is not yet; and much
fear that our soil will be drenched win ~
blood OF many good men yet in this de.d nS
teud. The charges against Mrs. Clement.
are, in my opinion, false, Our whole county
together with the county of Franklin, is in !
tornado of excitement, and every man in il ha,
taken sides, and is ready to fight by his de
cision