Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1860-03-15
HE Late Tragedy In Franklin.


=. The Danville Register, of the 9Th inst. pub
rsneo a. near the scene of the late terrible con-
HIct In Franklin, has the following particulars
OF the tragic affair:
Iho parties met at Dickenson's Store, in
rankin county, on Saturday, the 29th ult,
Tor the purpose of taking depositions to be
read In the divorce case then pending. They
were all armed to the teeth, as appears both
from the evidence Of witnesses and from the
mortal execution effected in the affray. Du-
ring the morning several witnesses had been
examined, most of whom, if not all, were the
witnesses summoned by the defendants. About
noon a woman named Bennett was brought
forward for examination by the Clements
Capt. Witcher requested the Justice to defer
Che examination Of this witness to another day.
and gave as the reasons for his request that he
WEs fatigued, was old, inirm, and wished to
leave for home. The Justice declined to COM
ply, and a recess was taken for dinner. After
dinner, Capt. Witcher renewed his request,
when Ralph Clement replied that it would re.
quire but a short time to examine the witness
Capt. W. remarked that witness had lived
with the Clements, and perhaps heard lly or
side OF the question, and he wished, therefore,
to cross-examine her thoroughly, which would
require several hours. Clement then re-.
marked that whoever said that he had preiu-
'liced the witness told lie or something to
that effect. Capt Witcher, who was seated
IN chair smoking, asked Clement to repeat
his language more implicitly, rising at the
same time from his chair. At this juncture
the firing commenced. James Clement and
VIM. Clement were in rear of Capt. Witcher
seated OF a bed, and one or both of them COM
menced at him as he (W rose and attempted
10 draw his pistol. Just then Addison Witch
er seized Ralph Clement. Several individuals
who were IN the room rushed out at the door
pushing back J. A. Smith who had started into
the room at the report OF the pistols. Smith
passed in and with pistol in one hand and
snife in the other, commenced an attack upon
Jas. and Wm. Clement, who were still firing
In resr Of Capt. Witcher, though the latter
<Wltcher) had not, up to this time, fired
single shot, his pistol having hung in his
YOcket In the attempt 10 drawit. Swanson W 40
fought with q stick only, engaged one of the
Clements, who was still attempting to shoot w
When Capt. Witcher succeeded in drawing his
weapon, number Of shots had been fired by
all parties, and it is supposed that at least two
ofthe Clements were mOrtally wounded, though
all kept up their firing. Capt. Witcher coolly
turned and took deliberate aim at JAS Glenn
ent, who was engaged with Smith, and ut the
crack OF his pistol Clementfell, the ball having
entered his forehead He then fired second
shot at Wm. Clement, who also received the
ball in his head and fell. Lastly, Captain W .
fred at Ralph Clement, who was likewise hit,
but fingered some two hours, the other two
dying instantly.
John A. Smith was hit in the right shoulder
rs he entered the room, and Swanson received
"A wound in the wrist. 1t is said that Smith
6niiioted several mortal wounds upon James
and VIM. Clement before Capt. Witcher COM
lnenced to fire. Tho whole of this engagement
iranspired in less than thirty seconds; and
after the first few shots the room was filled
with dense smoke from the burning powder
The most remarkable circumstance about the
affair Is, that Capt. Witcher escaped unhurt
when he seemed to be the object on whom the
attack was chiefly directed
This affray occurred in the counting room
OF DickenSon's store, small space, sixteen by
eighteen feet in dimensions; and it would seem
that the cOmbatants had scarcely elbow room
for In this small apartment there were two
large desks, stairway, table, an iron safe
large bale Of raw cotton, several chairs, 8
large roll Of sole leather and bed The sur
Tlvors of the conflict surrendered theinselye
into the hands of the law, and their examina
tion before committing magistrate com
menced at DickenSon's store on Monday. tn,
9TH instant, and will probably be continued
through the present week. The Common
wealth Is represented by MeSsrs. TaIiaferro
Com. Attorney, and \. III. billiard, of Frank
lin. MeSsrs. Whittle and 1redway, of thi
county, are retained for the defendants