The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1866-10-04
Terrible Tragedy i'm virginia,

a correspondent OF the Richmond Dis
patch, writing from Buckingham Court
House, Va, Sept. 9th, gives the following
particulars of the terrible tragedy which
recently occurred there:
The most thrilling and melancholy affair
took place here on the lst instant, that
has shocked the feelings of our citizens
since the close oi the war. The causes
and results are as follows:
About three weeks ago, or more, Mr..
Anthony Walton, a wealthy mill owner of
this town, arose early in the morning with
the alleged intention of visiting his mill
and plantation, but suddenly changing his
route returned to the house. There he
found MIR. James Leach Ga young lawyer
who makes MIR. Walton's house his home
during the sessions Of court) in the room
with his wife. Their position relative to
each other was such as to excite suspicion
on the part of the hu band, who ut once
ordered Mr.. Leach out of the house, and
forced the execution OF his mandate at the
point OF the revolver; after which he called
Tor the carriage, and putting madam in,
sent her to her mother Nothing further
OF interest transpired in the case except
that bill of divorce was filed by MIR.
Walton, until last Saturday, when Leach
again TO ie into town.
After strolling about the village for
some time, he met Anderson Walton, 4
son OF Anthony 10y first wife. ndcrson
reproached Leach at once with the scan
dal, which Leach denied with great en-
phasis; whereupon Anderson shook his fist
in his face and exclaimed, "You-lying
-, you did, for pa saw you," at the
same time putting his hand under his coat.
$50 you will shoot me, will you?' yelled
Leach, and drawing his six shooter, he
fired, and young Walton fell, pierced
through the lungs, the blood gushing from
his mouth and nostrils. Just then Mr..
Walton, the elder, rushed up and fired
three shots from his pistol directly at
Leach, but missing him entirely, slightly
wounded Captain a. I. Mosely and u ne
gro. Once more Leach fired, and the el
der Walton lay Oil the sward corpse The
ball entered just above his heart, seyering
the main arteries and causing instant
death
Anderson fingered until Monday even
ing about o'clock, when as they were
closing the grave over all that was mortal
Of his father, his soul joined him in the
spirit world. But the tale of death does
not end here. The Rev. James III. c..
Leach, ID d., highly respected Presby
terian minister, died soon after hearing of
the bloody drama in which his son bad
acted so prominent q part; possibly in con
sequence, though as to this no one can do
ought but conjecture.
Mrs. Walton was one Of the wives Of
Hobert, the aronaut, whose ears were cut
of in Louisville, Ky, for bigamy. Soon
after their marriage he ran off with her
money, leaving her destitute; though legal
y free-tor he had two wives living when
he married her-Mr Walton became so
cnamorcd with the beautiful widow that
he bought her wedding clothes, and law
ished on her every luxury that wealth
could procure, until the recent affair which
led to the double homicide.
Leach has been justified on the plea OF
self defence.
MR.. DAvIs.-A dispatch from Fortress