The Hillsborough recorder., 1860-03-14
longing 10 Franklin and the witohers to

= ttrSShaHin SuuuLJ. s&aE
i The marriage between Mr.. James Clemen
and Miss Victoria Smith was solemnizet
about two years ago last fall, and the nup
tials were celebrated with great eclat. Foi
several months the welded pair lived TO-
gether with the most unall0yed happiness
AT length the "green eyed monster" ieal.
ousy, reared his horrid front in the household
ot the happy couple, and ultimately placed
such restrictions upon the ynung and con.
iding wife as to render her very existence a
burden too intolerabe to be borne. She
finally resolved to leave the roof of her hus.
band. aud removed to the residence Of her
mother, Mrs. DR.. Albert Smith, in the
county Of Pittsylvania. where she now re-
sides; and by the advice Of friends, during
the fall Of 1889, instituted suit against her
husband Tor divorce. Soon after the ins,itn.
ton OF the suit, the parties met al Sandy
Level, Pttsylyania county, for the purpose
Of taking depositions. Here a charge was
made by the husband. Mr.. James Clement,
which involved alike the honor IL his wife
and that OF Mr.. William p. Gilbert, a Young
gentleman present, which was resented by
Mr.. Gilbert on the spot. Pistol. were drawn
on both sides and nine shots exchanged, five
Of which took effect. injuring Mr.. Gilbert
and his brother, as well as two OF the Messrs.
Clement, but none of them seriously.
! This serious ailray, OF course. greatly in
creased the ill.feeling which had been en-
gendered between the parties, and the matter
ilnaily became so much talked Of, that most
OF the citizens Of the two counties we're in
soi,ed in the difficulty, each party having
its warm and jealous adherents.
Added 10 other causes which had so es.
tranged the two families. some time since,
MIR. James Clement. the husband, by some
means obt'ined possession OF sprightIy
child, the only issue Of the marriage, aud
placed il with his own relatives. rne grand
father, Capt. Witcher, and large party or
friends. deeming this act an outrage, and
believing that the molher was the proper
custodian Of the tender offspring. By due
process Of law recovered the infant, and
restored Il TO its maternal parent.
Last Saturday, the 2jti, inst. the parties
all met at locality in franklin county, tn
take further deposItinns TO be used in the
suit now pending for divorce A question
propounded by apt. Witcher 50 exa.perated
Mr.. Jas. Clement. the defendant in the suit.
that he resoried TO the use OF his pistol for
an answer. but fired too quickly to make sure
Of his aim. Capt. Witcher returned the fire,
and killed the husband ol his grand daughter
nn the spot. the ball striking ia the forehead.
Ralph lcment, rushing TO his brothrr's aid,
shared the same fate, frun the discharge of a
pistol III The same hands which had sped the
messenger Of death with such uuerring cer-
taInty to the brain Of his brother James.
johnson Clement another brother, fired at
Mr.. John Archer Smith. grand son nf Mr..
Witcher, who WAS present, aud brother 10
Mrs. Victoria Glement. severely woundng
him ia the shoulder. The wounded man
then rushed upon Johnson Clement with a
bawie. knife, and made fatal thrast into his
bowels. the unfortunate victim falling dead
on the spot. The other patty 10 the aifray.
engaged on the witeher side. was a Mr.
Samuel Swanson, Jr., also devoted grand
son Of Mr. Nncher. MIR swanson vas
wounded but will recover. Mr. Smith, the
brother Of Mrs. Clement. il Is thought will
die ol the severe wound received 10 the
shoulder.
i'hr parties, a. previously stated, are all
aflaeni; occupy high social positions; and
very naturally exert most commanding in.
huence ia the section where they live.
Mr James Clement was about % wears Of
are. and the Youngest son nf Ave brothers.
lie vas farmer bs occupation. His brother
Raj ph was lawter: and Johnson. the other
brother Killed. sas. like James. also farmer.
Tw" either bruthers emigrated west several
years ago. The father 81 the Young men
who have met such violent deaths, i DR..
George Clement. a very wealthy and pros
prrnus iar'ncr.
Mr-. Victoria Clement. Eformery Miss
Victoria smith, j. said Ii be a lahy Of
abnut ~ years Of age; po.srsse, extraor.
dinars personal br,uty, and i. highly aeeom
plished. She sa daughter Of the late Dr..
Albert Smith. who died leaving a large estate
and five children, tao suns aud three daugh
tiers.
Capt. Vincent witcher is, perhaps. as
widely known 10 Virginia as any man within
thc limits IL the commonwealth. Fnr 2l
consecutive years in the popular branch. A.
well ~ in the senate. of our State Legisla.
ture, be has PLAYED M unimpnriant part
Ilis speeches in the Legislature alsay. enm
manIed the Undivided attention II that body.
and were characterized BY furce 81 logic
aud pnwer Of reasoning. that rendered them
we'll nigh irresistible.
We understand that UP 10 the time Of the
difficulties growing ont ul the unfortunate
marriage between the tw0 lsmilies. Dr.
CIement aud Vincent Witehcf. Esq, were
what NAV be termed bosom friends. They
frequently visited one another. counselled
together. and in,erchanged oplnioas con.
ccrning all the ordinary transactions oI life.
Alas. how sadly and irreeoncileablt have
the hands Of this friendship been snapped
asunder = Petersburg Eyyrt"
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GOOD oGT or EVIL