Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-01
terrible Tragedy in Henry County, Va
Lhree brothers Instantly KiiIed-Three
other Men Shot and Wound ID
From the PETERSBURG Ex

l''om tne petersburg Express, Feb. 291
., The usually quiet and law-abiding people of
me county OF Henry have been intensely excited
LOT the past three or four DAYS i'm conse0 hence of
terrible tragedv-or rather triple trayedy-tbat
was enacted In their midst on Saturday last The
reached us last evening through
nor as full as we SHALL doubtless be enabled to
give al an early day, sufficient to cause a
thrlil OF horror at their mere recital
III appears, according to the version given mn
that some years since, a grand 6auD btcr of tba
venerable and talented Vincent WitcRer. Esq of
rlt'syivania county, married a gentlemen from
we eoJolLlng county of Henry whose name was
Ctemniens His christian maine WE b,vs -
unable 10 ascertain. The maiden name of Mr
" Unefs granddaughter was Smith The mar
- hSed hapPliy together until about eighteen
.noh.ns since, when upon the most uptonnd eI
suspicious, as we have been informed MI t,isn
mems desired separation from his wifi, ana I'm
meuiately Instituted proceedings for divorce at
the same time impeacblng her honor IA The
grounds for his course 10 'Ne
Last Saturday was set apart for the tnking of
dePoslnons, and the parties met at magisterisI
precinct ia Henry county
Mr. Witctcr appeared ts defend the suit and
project The honor of his grand daughter
Inc taking Of the dispositions progressed and
aiei Inc Piaint had finished with witness Mr..
NISner asked question, which greatly exaspe
f.'so The husband, Mr.. Clemmens He imm.d;
aiely arose, drawing pistol at the SANE tims and
cfed az MI Witcher. Mr.. Witcher, it Gems also
us ana grew pistol from his pocket, and as
n
men. be fired, striking Clemmens I'm tb- To,eb.aJ
and killing him instantly " VAC io'eneao
nephew Of MIR Witcher, and Mr. Smith.
ofothsr OF Mrs. Clemmens, hearing the firinu
rushed into the room. A brother of Mi CIemmens
who had also been attracted by the pistol rano,tS
fred at nephew of Mr. Witcher. the ball Tin,
enect, and producing, it Is feared a fatal wonnd
Upon seeing his nephew shot, MIR Vincent Witcbe,
again nred, striking CleInmens No g and tilIing
him instantly. N"~ aiming
Al This stage Of the sanguinary affair MIR Smith
brother Of Mrs. Clemmens drew a bowis rnir
put bad scarcely unsheathed the blade, when be
was nrsd upon by second brother of Clemmens
the ball taking effect in the shoulder, and nro
ducing a painful wound Infatuated nv his
wound, Mr.. Smith rushed upon his ANTAGONIST
and with one powerful thrust of the knife, com,
Pie.eIy olsem ooweied Clemmens No. 3, the un-
fortunate man falling dead on the SPOT
Three Of the parties dead, and the Other three
al wounded, the horrible tragedy here ended
vincent Witcher, Esq the chief actor i'm this
v Sly terrible affair, Is widely known throughout
nhginia: he served for MANY wears in the lowe,
House Of the Legislature, and sIbsro nentv ron,e
eenteo MS district In the State Senate wi n sim.
aoiilty He Is prominent me,nbe, ~ th VI;
Reity; ana ms name has been repeatedly men,
~ tSs coornoo,ns WIN the office of Governor
Iunstall, upon the death Of that u.n,,s n,'neu
President Of the Richmond and nsn nTeman as
roaa. Aner TWO year. service he resiyn.d Nh.
P1eA9ency OF tne road, and has since been .r
E.xeu al INC Pfacuce Of bis Professionalism of
Our informant states that tbrouobo,, ,,,
ful suit, which Mr.. Witcher believe 70 pam n-
been instituted against an innocent grand .danahs
part he has been compelled finally 10 al t ' ne
himself pe' regret thah
OF course, the whole matte. will nd.,oo !,
judicial Investigation, until which o ftS, A.