Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-10

were the witnesses summoned by the defend
ants About noon woman named Bennett was
brought forward for examination by the Opeil
euts Capt Witcher requested the Justice TO defer the
examination of this witness to another day and gave as
the reasons for his request that he dtgued was Ola
iufrm and wished to leave for home. The justice ae
cned to comply, and recess was taken Tor dhner'-
After dinner, Capt Witcher renewed his request Wnet
Ralph Clement repl ed that il would require but snort
time to examine the witness Capt. W. remarked that
witness had lived with the Clements and perhaps heard
only one side of the question: and he wished therefore,
TO cross-examine Der thoroughly, which would require
several hours Clement then remarked that whoever
said that he had preudced the witness told lie or some
thing TO that effect Capt Witcher, who was seated ina
chair smoking asked Clement to repeat his language
more explicitly rising at the time from his chair
AZ this iuucture the firing commenced James Clemet
aud William Clement were in rear OF Capt wiener seat
ed on bed and or both of them commenced 10 IRE
az him as he wv rose ana attempted to draw his pistol
Just then ADDISON Witcher seized Ralph Clement Sew
eral individuals who in the rushed out at she
door, pushing back j. ~ Smith who had started into he
room at the report of the pistols Smith passed and with
pistol in hand and knife in the other commences an
attack upon Jas aud VIM. Clements who were still fir
ing in rear Of Capt Wcher though the latter Witcher)
had not up TO this time fired single shot his pistol nav
ing hung in his pocket il the attempt TO draw it, Swan
son who fought with stick only, engaged one OF the
Clements who still attempting to shoot Wltch"r-
When Capt Witcher succeeded in drawing his weapon
number OF shots had been fred by all parties and it is
supposed that at least two of the Clements were mortal
" wounded though all kept up their firing Captain
Witcher cooly turned aud took deliberate aim at James
Clement who was engaged with Smith, and at the crack
OF his pistol Clement fell the ball having entered his
forehead He then fred second shot at VIM. Clement,
who also received the ball in his head and fell Lastly,
Capt W. fired at Ralph Clement who was likewise hit,
but fingered some two hours, the other two dying III
stanty.
John A. Smith was shot in the right shoulder as he
entered the ROOM and Swanson received wound in the
wrist IL is said that Smith inflicted several mortal
wounds upon James and William Clement, before Capt.
Witcher commenced to fire. The whole Of this engage
ment trauspred in less time than thirty seconds and al
ter the first few shots the filled with dense
smoke from the burning powder. The most remarkable
circumstance about the affair is that Capt Wicher es-
capped uuhur when lac seemed to be the object on whom
the attack was chiefly directed.
This ARRAY occurred in the counting room OF Dlcken-
sons Store a small space sixteen by eighteen feet in
dimensions and il would seem that the cOmbaants had
scarcely elbow room; for in this small apartment there
we're two large desks stairway table, an rcn safe,
large bale OF raw cotton several chairs large roll OF
sole leather and bed The survivors OF the cNntit sur
rendered themselves into the hands Of the law, and their
examination before a committing Magistrate commenced
40 D.ckeusous Store Monday the 9th insti and will
probably be continued through the present week The
Commonwealth is represented by Mcssrs. laliaterro,
Com. Attorney aud A. H. billiard, of franklin Messs
white aud Tredway of this county are retained as
counsel Tor the dcfendcnts.