Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-05

The Petersburg Express, referring to the
cause of the late affray in Franklin county,
Va, says:
The marriage between Mr.. James Clement
and Miss Victoria Smith, was solemnized about
two years ago last fall, and the nuptials were
celebrated with great sclat, brilliant party
being given in honor Of the event which was
attended by the elite of the two counties. who
focked in large numbers, by invitation, from
all parts of that section, to do honor to the ioy-
Ous occasion.
For several months the welded pair lived
together with naught but the most unalloyed
happiness shining on the rosy pathway of their
early matrimonial career. At length the
"green-eyed' monster, jealousy, reared his
horrid front in the household of the happy
couple, and ultimately placed such restrictions
upon the young and confiding wife rs to render
her very existence burden too intolerable to
be borne.
She finally resolved to leave the roof of her
husband, and removed to the residence of her
mother Mrs DIR. Albert Smith in the county
OF Plttsylvania, where she now resides and by
the advice of her friends, during the fall OF
1859, instituted suit against her husband fol
divorce. Soon after the institution of the suit
the parties met at Sandy Level Pittsylvanis
county, for the purpose of taking dispositions
Here charge was made by the husband, Mr.
Jas. Clement, which involved alike the honor
u T.
ayOung gentleman present, which was resented
by Mr.. Gilbert on the spot. Pistols were dra wn
on both sides, and nine shots exchanged, five
of which took effect, injuring Mr.. Gilbert and
brother, as well as two of the Messrs Clement
but none of them seriously
This serious afray, of course, greatly in
creased the i'll feeling which had been enven.
dered between the parties, and the matter
finally became so much talked of that most OF
the citizens of the two counties were involved
in the difficulty, each party having its warm
and jealous adherents.
Added to other causes which had so estranged
the two families, some time since Mr.. James
Clement, the husband, by some means obtained
possession of sprightly child the only issue
of the marriage, and placed it with his own
relatives The grandfather, Captain Witcher
and u large party of friends deeming this an
outrage, and believing that the mother was the
proper custodian of the tender offspring, by
due process Of law recovered the infant. and
restored it to its maternal parent
Mr.. James Clement was about % wears OF
age, and the youngest of five brothers. He was
farmer by occupation. His brother Ralph
was a lawyer, and johnson. the other brotieF
killed, was, like James, also u farmer. Two
other brothers emigrated West some years aee,
The father of the unfortunate young men who
have thus met such violent deaths IS DR.. Geo.
Clement, . wealthy and prosperous farmer.
He formerly resided in Franklin county, but
has recently removed to Pittsylvania
Mrs. Victoria Clement formerly Miss Vic.
toria Smith) is said to be . lady Of about twen-
ty-one years Of age: possesses extraordinary
personal beauty, and is highly accomplished
She is daughter of the late DR.. Albert Smith,
who died leaving large estate, and five chill
ren-two sons and three daughtars His
widow still survives, with whom Mrs. victoria
Clement has resided since she left the home Of
her husband. =. :
We understand that up to the time Of the diff
hculties growing out Of the unfortunate mar.
riaee between the two fnmilies. DR.. Clemen,
and Vincent Witcher, Esq, were what NAV be
termed bosom friends-