Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1860-03-02
Tho Recent Triple Tragedy
FURTHER AND INTERESTING DETAILS

|
| FURTHER AND INTERESTING DETAILS.
The feud existing between the Wiseher and tho
Clemen. families j. Of long duration some twelve
months or more--and grew Out Of the marriage
of Mr.. james Clement, who IL the youngest OF
| i've brothers, with Miss Victoria Smith. daugb-
ter Of tho late DR.. Albert Smith, aud grand
| daughter Of Vincent witeher, Esq.
Tho parties are oil rsaitby, and occupy high
social position IN tic respective counties which
they represent the Clements belonging to Frank
lin and the Witchers 10 Pittsylvanis county.
The marriage between Mr.. James Clement and
Miss yictoria Smith, was sole,nnised about two
years ago last fall aud the nuptials were ceebra-
tod with great scfat brilliant party being given
in bonos II the event. whiohswas attended by the
ellie If tho two counties, who focked in large
numbers by invitation, from ~ parts OF that sec.
tim, to do honor to the joyous oeeasion.
For several months the welded pair lived to-
gether with nought but tho most ut,alloyed hap
pine-s 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 con-
fding wife a. 10 render her very existence a bur-
den too intolerable to be borne.
She finally resolved to leave the roof of her
husband, and removed to the residence Of her
snother Mrs. DIR. Albert Smith, in the county of
Pittsyl,ania, where she NOW resides; and by the
ted suit against her husband for divorce. Soon
nlrr the institution of tho suit the parties met at
Sandy Level, Piusylyania county, for the purpose
Of taking dispositions. Here n charge was made
by tho husband, Mr.. Jnmes Clement, which in
.olyei alike the honor Of his wfs and that Of Mr..
WIN. j. Gilbert. n young gentleman present,
which WINS resented by Mr. Gilbert on the spot
Pistols were drawn on both sides and nine shots
exchanged. five of which took effect. injuring Mr..
Gilbert aud his brother. as well IA two Of tho
Mcssrs. Clement. but none OF them seriously.
This ser Gus ARRAY, Of course, greatly increased
The iii feeling which had been engendered between
the parties, and the matter finally became much
talked Of that most of tho citizens Of the two
clAniies were involved in the difficulty each party
having its warm aud Jealous adhercnts.
Added to other cnuses which had 30 cstranged
the two families. sometime since, Mr.. james Glenn
emf, the husband, by some means obtained posses
sion of sprightly child. the only issue of the
marriage. and placed it with his own realitives,-
The grandfather. Capt. Witcher, and large par
~ 4 friends, deeming this act an outrage and be.
leying that the mother was the proper custodian
Of the tender offspring, by due process of law re-
covered tho infant, md restored IL TO its maternal
parent.
Last Saturday, the 25th instant, as stated ycs-
tcrlay. The parties nil met mt locality in frnnk-
lin county. (some say Brooks and others Dckin.
sous store. to take further dispositions to be used
in The suit now pending for divorce. question
propoundcd by Capt. Witcher, so exaspcrated Mr..
james Clement, the defendant in the suit TINT he
rcsorted to the use of his pistol for an answer but
10 d too quickly to make sure Of his aim. Capt.
Wiiehcr returned tho fire, and killed tho husband
III his granddaughter on the spot, the ball stri-
king IN the forehead Ralph Clement, rushing to
his brothers MD shared the same fate, from the
discharge OF n pistol in tho same hands which
sped tho messenger OF death with snch unerring
certainty to tho brain of his brother James. John
son Clement. another brother fired at Mr.. John
Archer Smith, grandson, OF Mr.. Witcher, who
Mns present, ard brother tn Mrs. Victoria Clement
severely wounding him 10 the shoulder. Tho
wounded man then rushed upon johnson Clement
with bowie knife and made fatal thrust into
hiS bowels the unfortunate victim falling dead on
the spot. The other party to the ARRAY engaged
On the Witeher eide. WAS IL MIR. Samuel Swanson,
Jr.. also u devoted grandson Of Mr.. Witcher.-
Mr. :. was wounded, but will recover. Mr. Smith,
the brother Of Mrs Clement, it is thought will die
u the severe woundecceived in tho shoulder.
The parties. Us previously stated IRE oil afiu-
ont occupy high social positions; and very nat
unlr exert u most commanding influence in the
section where they 1.-Two.
a. Ja,nrs Clement, was about 2S years Of age,
nr'l the Youngest Of five brothers. lie was IA Tar
lner hy occupation. His brother Ralph, was II
lawyer. and johnson, the other brother killed,
was like James. also farmer. Two other broth.
,her ut the unfortunate young men who have thus
met such violent deaths is DIR. George Clement, "A
very wealty and prosperous farmer. lie former
y resided in franklin county, but has recently
lemo> ei 10 ptts,lvnn
Airs. Victoria Clement, Formerly Miss Victoria
smith, is said to be lady of about p years OF
age. possesses extraordinary personal beauty,
and is highly accomplished. She is n daughter
at the Into DIR. Albert Smith who died leaving II
large estate, and five children, two sons and three
daughters a1lis widow still survives, with whom
Mis-. Victoria Clement has resided since sho left
the home of her husband
Captain Vincent Wiicapr IL perhaps, as widely
known in Virginia us any men within the limits
! at the Commonwealth. For II consecutive wears
in the popular branch, rs well as in the senate
1T our State Legislature, he has played no unim-
! 1or'aut part His speeches in tho Legislature al.
i ways commanded the undivided attention of that
body. aud were characterized by force of logic
! AMI power OF reasoning, that rendered them we'll
| nigh irresistible.
| We understand. that up to the timo of the diff
heaities growing out OF the unfortunate marriage
| between the two families, Dir. Clement and Vim
cent. Witcher, Esq, were what may bo termed DO.
SOM friends. They frequently visited one auoth
er; councelled together; and interchanged opin.
| ions concerning all tho ordinary transactions Vi
! lite Alas, how sadly and irreconcileably, have
the bonds OF this friendship been snapped asuud
er- Petersburg Express.
EXCITEMENT AT LOUISVILLE, KY-Louisville
Ky. Feb. "a mau calling himself John IIas.
keil, hailing from Massachusetts, but who is said
to ho an Englishman and u sailor, recently from
VIVA stni ~, o,tx- Snt