The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-03-06

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.-We learn from the Pc
tersburg Express that terrible tragedy was enact
ed IN Henry county Va, on Saturday the 18th ult.
In which three brothers named Clemmens were
killed One of the brothers had several years ago,
married Miss Smith, a granddaughter of Mr.
Witcher, with whom he lived happily until about
eighteen months ago, when becoming jealous, un-
necessarily, he sued for divorce The parties
met last Saturday for the purpose of taking de-
positions, with the view Of affecting the divorce,
when on the examination of witnesses Mr. Glenn
MEMS the husband became exasperated and fred
pistol at Mr. Witcher, the grand father of the
wife Thus began tragedy which resulted in the
death of the three Cemmens', and the wounding
OF several other persons.
Mr. Witcher is a gentleman over seventy-eight
years of age, and is we'll known throughout the
State. The brothers who we're killed, were ali
gentlemen of high standing in the county in which
they resided, as is also MIR Witcher.
The Lynchburg Republican of Wednesday says
that Mr. Vincent Witcher and his grandson
rendered themselves to the authorities and were
promptly acquitted, on the ground Of self defence.
The Raleigh Register, speaking of the ARRAY,
says
1--WE have known Vincent Witcher for the last
twenty Todd years, and there lives not purer OF
better man than he is, who would regret
more than he, the necessity of taking human life
MIR W. is emphaticaly self man. He arose
by the might of his own energies and talents from
humble condition to a position of honor and
usefulness which any man might be proud to oc-
cupy. He knew not how to read until after be
was married. ana his alphabet was taught him by
his wife, who lived to see him represent his native
county of Pittsylvania repeatedly in both branches
of the General Assembly, and to preside until fail
ing health compelled him to resign, with signal
ability over great and prosperous Railroad.
AS old friend of Mr. Witcher we deeply
regret that at the close of long and useful life,
he should have been compelled to take human life,
but he will have the consolation of knowing that
he was perfectly justified in doing
J. NEWTON FLoYp.-This notorious individual
together with one Jno. r. Jordan was arrested on
Wednesday of week before last, and lodged in
York Jail, on the charge of stealing -four. The
two, shortly after, made attempt to escape from
prison, but thwarted in their plans On Mon
day the attempt repeated; and the Sheriff, hav-
ing called in the Commissioners of public build
ings, they found one of the bars across the cell
cut almost assunder. The instrument used, after
a diligent search, was not found.
The persons engaged i'll the search, left the jail
and returned after awhile to renew it. Meanwhile,
Floyd and Jordan had quarreled, when Jordan
blowed' and produced small steel spring which
Immediately secured the services of blacksmith;
and the parties, for the nonce, under the chain
and bolt Yorhoitle Enquirer.
A COMMON OCCURRENCE.-It is well known
that runaway negroes often pass for free in our
towns and villages. We see in the Wadesborough
Argus an account of the arrest of fellow named
Peter, belonging to JAS. Il. Mcqueen, Esq of Robe
son county, who runaway about year ago, and has
been working for some time on the railroad in An
son, passing free man named David jackson,
and having forged pass, which he says was writ
ten for him by an Irishman, linen table cloth
peddler, whom he met, travelling on foot, between
Robson county and Rockingham, in March 1859.
Mr. Mcqueen has recovered his man Fay Obs.
->~
THE CosT OF Wharf.-The late war in Italy
lasted only eleven weeks, and cost, in round
numbers, $204 100000. At its commencement,
France borrowed from the people 100000 900, of
which she spent $50 900 900; Austria, by two loans
from the Vienna Bank, and forced loan on
Venetia, raised S100,000,000 and spent it ALL
Sardinia contracted loan of $40 600 000 borrowed
from the Bank of Turin $4,000 900, and received
assistance from France to the amount ofS3 400 000
making in all $4,000, 900; and the other States
involved expended about S4,00O,00O The cost of
the war, in dollars, was S204. 100000.
Besides this large expenditure by the parties
engaged, England spent $4,000, 600 for military
and naval purposes in consequence of the political
dangers growing out of the contest; and Germany
spent S4O,0OO,0OO for the same reason. So that
the aggregate expenditures on account of eleven
weeks war were 1924 100000, while the number
of lives lost were $4,000!
And after all this waste Of life and treasure the
ravaging of Lombardy by ruthless armies, and the
paralysis of industry during the continuance of
the struggle the Italian question is still unsettled
and the causes Of the war still exist
The appearance Of the Images ofhe Supreme
Court Of the United IStates-The Washington