Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-03
RICHMOND WHIG.
From the Petersburg Express.
THE RECENT TRIPLE TRAGEDY
Further aud Interesting Details.


As anticipated the hurried account gave veSter
terday of the killing of the three brothers Clement anC
not Ciea1aeHs stated by Us, contained few
regarding locality and Names which hasten to cor
rect. This, enabled to do through the kindness
of gentleman residing in our midst, who once liy
ed in the section Of country where the horrible tragedy
enacted and is intimately acquainted with all the
parties who participated in this most depoable and truly
bloody affair.
The feud existing between the Wi.cher and tie Glenn
ent families of long duration-some twelve months
mOre-and grew out Of the marriage of Mr. James Glenn
ent who is the Youngest of five brothers, with Miss Vic
tora Smith, daughter Of the late Dr. Albert Smith, and
grand daughter Of Vincent Witcher, Esq.
The parties are all wealthy, and occupy high socia
position in the respective counties which they represent
the Clements belonging to Franklin and the Witchers
Pittsylyana county.
TIE marriage between Mr. James Clemen. and Miss
Vic oril Smith, was SO.emnzed about two years ago
last fall and the nupals celebrated with great ecla
brilliant party being given in honor Of the event which
attendedby the elite of the two counties who locked
in large numbers by invitation, from all parts Of that
section, to do honor 10 the joyous occasion.
For several months the welded pair lived together
with nought bu the most unaloyed happiness shining
on the rosy pathway Of their carly matrimonial career
At length the "green-ayed" monster jealousy, reared
his horrid front in the household of the happy couple
and ultimately placed such restrictions upon the young
and confdng wife to render her very existence bur
den too iutclcrable to be borne.
and removed 10 the residence Of her mother Mrs Dr.
Albert Smith, in the county Of Ptsyvania where she
resides and by the advice Of friends during the
fall of 1889 instituted suit against the husband for d.
Soon after the institution of the suit the parties
met at Sandy Level PiSyyauia county, for the purpose
OF taking depo,itions Here the charge made by
the husband, Mr.. James Clement which involved alike
the honor of his wife and that Of Mr.. William 2. Gilbert
Young gentleman present, which resented by Mr..
Gilbert the spot. Pistols drawn on both sides,
and nine shots exchanged five Of which took effect in
juring Mr. Gilbert and his brother, as well two Of the
Messrs. Clement but none of them seriously.
This serious atray, Of course greatly Increased the
Il-ieelng which had been engendered between the par
ties aud the matter finally became much talked Of
that OF the citizens Of the two counties in
VOWED in the difficulty, each party having its and
Jealous adhcrtntS.
Added TO other causes which had so esranged the
two families some time since, Mr.. James Clement, the
husband by obtained possession OF sprigh
ly child the only issue of the marriage and placed it
with his own relatives. The grandfather Capt Wicher
and large party o. friends decmins this act outrage
and believing that the mother the proper custodian
OF the tender offspring by due process of law recovered
the infant and restored IL to il maternal parent.
Last Saturday. the 18th instant stated yesterday
the parties all met at locality in Franklin county ome
say Brooks and others Dckusons store) to take fur
ther depos,ous to be used in the suit pending for
divorce. 4 question propounded by Capt. Wtcher
exasperated Mr. James Clement the defendant in the
suit that be resored 20 the use OF his pistol for
swer, but fred too quickly to make Of his aim -
Capt Wchcr returned the fire, and killed the husband
Of his granddaughter the spot the bali striking the
forehead Ralph Clement, rushing to bis brothers aid,
shared the same fate from the discharge OF pistol in the
hands which had sped the messenger of death with
such unerug certainty the brain OF his brother James
johnson Clement another brother fired az Mr. john Ar
cher Smith a grandson of Mr. Witcher, who was
present, and brother TO Mrs Victoria Clement,
severely wouuding him in the shoulder The wounded
then rushed upon Johnson Clement with a bowie
knife and made fatal thrust into his bowels the unfor,
tuuate victim falling dead the spot The other party
to the aiiray engaged the Witcher side, Mr.
Samuel Swanson Jr, also a devoted grandson of
Mr. Witcher. Mr.. $ was wounded but will recover
Mr. Smith, the brother Of Mrs. Clement It's thought will
die Of the severe wound received in the shoulder.
The parties as previously stated all ailuent
cupy high social positions, and very naturally exert
most commanding influence in the section where they
live.
the Youngest orfye brothers lie was farmer by oc-
cupaton His brother Ralph, was lawyer, aud John
son the other brother killed like James, also far
mer Two other brothers cuigraed West several years
ago. The father of the unfortunate young men who
have thus met such violent deaths is Dr. George Glenn
ent very wealthy aud prosperous farmer. He former
ly resided in Franklin county, but has recently removed
to Pittsylyauia.
Mrs Victoria Clement formerly Miss Victoria Smith
said 10 be lady Of about 81 years Of age POSSESSES
extraordinary personal beauty and is highly accomplish
ed She is a daughter of the late DR.. Albert Smith wno
died leaving large estate, and five children two sous
and three daughters. His widow still survives with
whom Mrs Victoria Clement has resided since she left
the home OF her husband.
Captain Vincent Witchcr is perhaps as widely known
in Virginia as any within the limits Of the Common
weaEh For twcutyone consecutive years IN tie popl-
lar branch as well as in the Senate Of our State Legisa
ure he has played uuimportaut part His speeches
in the Legislature always commanded the undivided 1T
tenton of that body aud characterized by force
of logic and power OF reasoning that rendered them well
nigh irresistible.
We understand that up to the time Of the difficulties
growing out Of the unfortunate marriage between the
two families, Dr. Clement and Vincent Wcher, Esq,
were what may be termed bosom friends They fire.
ouently visited another; couuseed together, and
uterchanged opinions concerning all the ordinary trans
actions of life. Alas how sadly and irreconcleably
have the bonds of this friendship been snapped asunder