Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-10-07
VIRGINIA NEWS.

From the Charlottesville Chronicle ofthe 5th
Tax killing OF Da. G sorGE MARTIN. One
of the most fearful tragedies that we have
ever known in this county, took place on
Monday night, at the residence OF Mr.. Jesse
l.. Heiskell, about thirteen miles southwest
of this place, on the Lynchburg road. 1t
seems that Mr.. Heiskell, short time since,
purchased lot of United States horses in
Richmond. In consequence of some irregu-
larity or difficulty connected with this trans
action, (some mistake no doubt,) an order
was sent up here from Richmond, on Mon
day, for the arrest of Mr.. Beiskell. squad
of soldiers under the command of Lieutenant
Kief was sc mt to his residence for this pur-
pose. They arrived there in the night.
About half-past one o'clock, Nr. Heiskell
four statement cones at secondhand from
Mr.. Heiskell,) was aroused by an uproar. in
his yard-shouting and shooting. He got up
from his bed and went to the window of his
chamber, (up stairs,) and raising the win
dow, inquired, Who was there2 The. an
swer was, "Federal officers-come to arrest
Mr.. Heiskell.' He replied, I" am Mr..
Heiskel." Some one continued to swear
and knock at the door, still crying out, 81
want Mr.. Heiskell."
There was ladder against the house, and
the party (who seems to have been ieuten-
ant Kief,) who was making the noise, as
cended this ladder, and landed in the upper
porch. DR.. George Martin, the brother-in-
law of Mr.. Helskell, had been aroused, and
had lust gone out into this porch. Kief said
TO him, 81 want Mr.. Heiskell." DR.. Mar
tin said, Well, there is Mr.. Heiskell."-
Kief repeated, al want Mr.. HeiskeH.1
o., Martin said, Wen, there he is-wha>
do you want with him :" Kief hereupon
fired a pistol at DR.. Martin. the ball entering
the ear, and passing through his head. DR..
Martin Tell, and died instantly. Mrs. Hes-
kell (who was standing at the window by her
husband, threw up her hands involuntarily,
aud Kief fired second time at the window,
the ball shooting off the end of Mrs. Heis-
kelps finger. Mr.. Heiske instantly touched
a spring, and let down the window, when
third ball passed through it. Mrs. Heis-
kell rushed out into the porch to her brother,
whom she had seen fall, and Kief snapped
his pistol at her-having probably discharged
all of his barrels.
By this time another member of the mill
tary party had assembled the ladder, and see
ing what had TRANSFERRED, exclaimed, "Poys,
this is 10 place for us-we had better get
away from here" The party accordingly
left, without arresting Mr.. Heiskell.
Kief was still violent, and said Z" he would
have that man Heiskell.' Mr. Heiskell had
gone out to get assistance from his neigh
bors. about this time, Captain Foster, from
Richmond, who had also been sent to arrest
Mr.. Heiskell, arrived on the ground. he i'm
medately explained to Lieutenant kief that
he was captain in the United States service,
showed him his papers, and Informed him
that he was under arrest. He ordered him
to disarm, and to disarm his party-all OF
whom he put under arrest.
Lieutenant Kief and party were brought
to this place Tuesday night, and kief has
been lodged in jail.
We give the above statement of facts as
the most reliable that We can get. They
come from Mr.. Heiskell. There accounts
at variance with this in minor particulars,
but all the accounts reaching us amount to
the statement We have made. Lieutenant
Kief is in the hands Of the military authOri-
ties, and we doubt not they will investigate
this terrible affair fully and impartially. 1t
is strong circumstance in favor of the law
abiding character of our people, that no vic
lence was offered to Kief by the relatives
and neighbors of DR.. Martin.
/ DR.. Martin was in the prime of life
/ about forty years of age, and got wide
practice in his profession in the Southern
part of this county. His family is one OF
/ the most influential and wealthy among US.
he was man of stern integrity, a quick
sense of honor, frank, brave, generous and
warm-hearted. He was exceedingly popu-
lar among his acquaintance and friends, oil
whom he had many. His sudden and violent
death has made a profound impression in
this place, where he was we'll known. de
was a brother of Thomas Martin, Esq, OF
Nelson, formerly the member of the HonSe
of Delegates from that county. His family
connection is one of the most extensive IN
Albemarle. He leaves wife and children,
having married the daughter OF Marcus
Durrett, Esq, of the North Garden.