Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-03-01

Ole Tragedy III Franklin county, III "u'Sh ohe VI 'N NV
respected ami distingushedc itzcus OF the State was
principal actor Below gyesuch further particulars
of the distressing affair as have reached US, promising
only with the remark that Mr.. Whether seems to have
been fully justified by the circumstances:
From the Dispatch Of Yesterday
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN FRANKLIN Co., wa bloody
ARRAY occurred in Franklin county, va, on Saturday
last the 25th inst in which three Brothers, Messrs
James. William and Ralph Clements, killed by Vim
cent Witcher former President of the Richmond and
Danvle Railroad and his grandson Mt. John ASmith
The particulars far have been able TO learn
them are as follows; Mr. James Clements married the
sister of Mr. John A. Smith, land granddaughter OF Mr.
Wtcher and the lady afterwards took steps TO procure
divorce from him. On Saturday last the taking OF dep
osons in the progressing at the Office OF ma
gisrate in Franklin county, near the Pttsyyania lne
Messrs Wtcher Smith and the three hessrs. Clements
being present During the taking of the depositions
Mr. Wtcher asked some questions whica were objected
TO- and fracas commenced Mr. W. beng fired upon,
the balls passing through his clothing without touching
his person He fred upon his Antagonists, killing two
of the brothers instantly. Mr.. Smith HEARING the firing
ran into the room, and fired upon ~ the surviving
brother the ball taking effect in his shoulder Mr.. =
then drew bowe-kne and killed Mr.. Clements by stab
bing him in the breast These all the particulars we
have been able to gather.
Mr. Witcher is gentleman over sevCnty-eight years
of age and is well know throughout Che State. The
brothers who were killed, were an gentlemen OF hlEh
standing in the county in which they resided. The fol-
lowing particulars have been received since the above
written.
DANvILLE Feb. ~, 1860.
have lust seen Mr. Robert Angle of Franklin county,
Va who informed me that on Saturday, at Dickinsons
store, while Capt NJ Wtcher attending to taking
dispositions in divorce case of one of his granddaugt
ers who is suing for divorce from James Clements Mr.
James Clements shot at the Captain, AVID missing ms
own sou Allison, grandson, j. y Smith, and Mr. sam
ue Swanson, one of his neghbors, and the three Mr.
Clements commenced shooting nc each ob9r, and James
Clements William and Ralph Clements were all killed
Mr. Swanson and Adson Witcher receiving wounds, but
not dangerous This information have Eom gentle
man who was in 200 yards when the fgh. commenced,
and who has the parties since. CATO.
The following is an extract from letter received by
gentleman in this city;
DAxvIILE, Feb. 9th.
report has lust reached here that Capt. Wcher and
some friends had met the Clements at Diekenson's, in
Franklin county TO take some depositions when diff
Guilty occurred and the captain shot two OF 'he Clements
and John Henry Smith killed another with bowlekniie
all diving in a short time From report /: seems that
Capt w and Smith both acted in selt-deieRce. Smith
was shot in the shoulder and Mr. Swanson through the
arm There are many reports, but think from all, this
is about the true statement though You may hear from
others the particulars OF this sad affair.
From Le.PeiersJ,vg Erprcs, ofyestsrlcy.
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY IN HENRY COUNTY, Va
THREE Bk Theirs lNSIANlLl hlLI4ED-lnhEE
OTHER MEN SHOT AND WOUNDED.
The usually quiet and aw-abidng people Of the cOun-
" OF Henry have been intensely excited for the past
three or four days in consequence Of terrible tragedy
rather triple ragedy-that was enacted in their
midst on Saturday last. The particulars reached Us last
evening through source entirely reliable. The details
although not full shall doubtless be enabled to
give early day sufficient TO cause a thrill OF
horror az their mere recital.
IL appears according the version given usttat some
wears SINCE granddaughter Of the venerable and tai
ented Vincent Wcher ESQ., OF Pittsylvana county mar
ried gentleman from the adjoining county OF Henry,
whose name was Clemmens. His christian name We
have been unable 10 ascertain. The maiden name OF
Mr. Witcher's granddaughter Smith. The parties
lived happily together until about eighteen months since,
when upon the most Uniouuded suspicious as we have
been informed, Mr.. CenmenS desired separation from
iis wife, and Immediately instituted proceedings for
divorce at the same time mpeachiug her honor as the
grounds for his course.
Last Saturday set apart for the taking Of deposit
TONS and the parties met at massteria precinct in
Henry county.
Mr. Witclcr appeared to defend the suit and protect
the honor of his granddaughter.
The taking of the deposition progressed, and after
the plaintiff had finished with witness, Mr. Whether
asked a question: which greatly exa-per.ted the hus-
band Mr.. Cemmeus lie immedi..,ly arose, drawing
pistol at the same time and fired at Mr. Witchcr. Mr.
Wi,cher seems also quickly rose aud drew pistol
from his pocket and the ball of bis antagonist grazed
around the abdomen, he fired striking Cicmmeas in the
forehead. and killing him instantly.
4 nephew OF Mr.. Ni;cher, and a Mr. Smith, brother
of Mrs Cemuens, hearing the firing rushed into the
room. brother of Mr.. Cemmens who had also been
attracted 10y the pistol reports, fired at nephew OF NJ
Witcher the ball taking effect and prOducingt Is ieare
q fatal wound Upon seeing his nephew shot Mr.. NH.-
cent Witcher again fred striking Cemmens No. >, aud
killing him instantly.
At this stage of the SangUinary affair, &r. Smith,
brother of Mrs Cemmeus, drew bowie knife, but had
scarcely unsheahci the blade, when he was fired upon
bv second brother OF Ccmmens the ball taking eiec,
in the shoulder and producing painful wound. ln'u-
rated by his wound Mr. Smith rushed upon his antagonsr
aud with one powerful thrust OF the knife completely
dsembowecd Ciemmens No. 3, the unfortunate man
falling dead on the spot
Three of the parties dead and the other three all
wounded, the horrible tragedy here ended. o.
Vincent Witcher ESQ., the chief actor in this truly ter
ribe affair Is widely known throughout Virginia He
served for many years the lower House OF the Legs
hrure aud subsequently represented his district IN the
State Senate with signal ability. He is prominent menu
Der of the Wing party and his name has been repeated
y mentioned ia connection with the office Of Governor
of the Commonwealth. lie succeeded Nhtmcl J.. Iuns
tall upon the death OF that gentleman, President Of
tine Richmond and Dtnvile Railroad. After TWO years
service he resigned She Presidency of the road aud has
since been engaged in the practice Of his profession
that of q lawyer
Oar informant states that throughout this painful suit
which Mr. Witcherbe,eyes to have been instituted against
au innocent grani-daughter he has acted with great for
bgarance and the part he has been compelled 10 acr,
will Dee with none source OF deeper regret than
himself
OF course the whole matter will undergo judicial III
vestigatou until which We iorbear further comment
From the LvpcL5lrq IirginiaH.
A SAD AFFAlR-THREE MEN KILLED-TWO
WOUNDED
Our citizens were greatly startled on Yesterday by
rcpo-. brought here, by some gentlemen from Franklin
Oh rf..rt t,r Elffrl lev a
fculty occurred 40 place called Dcknsou Store, stu
I'D ON lln Erllkin and Pt.ylranl line which re.uel