The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-17
Terrible Tragedy in Albemarle.
FUEL PARTICULARS.
A PHYSICIAN kILLEDIN HIS OWN CHAM
Der, AND IN THE PRESENCE OF HIS
WIFE, FOR THE ALLEGED SEDUCTION
of THE DAUGHTER OF FRIEND.
Special telegram to the Dispatch.

are OF the highest reSpectablilty, and were
men Of considerable means. DR.. Oliver
was, to some extent, known in Richmond,
having delivered one or more public ad-
dresses in your city. He was n gentleman
of fine appearance and prepoSsessing man.
ners, of large information, and exceedingly
intelligent.
STATEMENT OF DIR. DIVERS FAMILY.
Mr.. Aver and DR.. Oliver had been on the
most friendly terms, DR.. Oliver having
loaned considerable money to the former.
This morning about sunrise Mr.. Aver came
to the house and inquired for the Doctor.
who was then asleep in bed. Mr.. Brown
brother-in-law, awakened the Doctor, say
ing "Mr. Aver is here, and wishes TO see
YOU" The Doctor came to his chamber
door in his night clothes, where he met
Aver. and extended his hand, saying Chow
are you, old fellow" Aver replied ~ do
not know that I can take your hand" or
something to that effect, and Immediately
commenced firing. Oliver retreated into
his chamber. where his wife was in he'd,
pursued by Aver, who continued firing un-
til his victim was slain. Four shots were
fired, one taking effect in the breast, another
severing IN artery above the heart, and a
third lodged in the throat.
Il STATEMENT OF Mr.. AVER
is to the effect that last May DR.. Oliver
and his wife came to Ayers house in
LOudoun, where they were treated with
the utmost kindness, and boarded for sevc-
raj months. While there Oliver treated n
daughter of Aver for consumption. and
ayailed himself of the facilities thus afforded
to seduce her. The ruin of his daughter
came to Mr.. Ayers knowledge only Il few
days ago, and he Immediately determined
upon vengeance. Comingto Charlottesville
last night, he remained at the Central Hotel
until this morning, when he went to DR..
divers residence and inquired for him.
Was invited into the house and met Oliver
at his chamber door, who extended his
hand. Aver said 81 cannot take your
hand Unjust have your blood for the iniu-
rieS you have done me- drawing at the
same time Il revolver and commencing to
fire. Oliver retrcated into the chamber of
his wife and got under the bed, and Aver,
STOPPING down, tiredtwice upon him in that
position.
II ACCUSED S~rRRESDERs HIMSELF.
His victim dead. Mir. Aver left the house
1T once, and, going to Il magistrate, OF
fered to surrender himself; but the ma
giStratc did not put him under arrest. He
then went to the house Of the county %jailor,
where he now is, waiting for the officers Of
justice TO lake some action.
Aver has been visited at the jail by many
citizens of Charlottesville to express their
sympathy for him, and iustifying the act.
Several clcrgymen have c%alled-und among
them were Rev. Messrs. James B. Taylor.
John L. Long, and George i. Taylor, Jr.,
OF the Baptist denomination, who seem to
have been previously acquainted with him.
GEORGE 8. AVER.
Mir. Aver seems to he about fifty years of
age, and Is a man of very quiet demcanor.
It is stated that he left home without the
knowledge Of his family, as he did not wish
his sons to know what he was about to do,
prefcrringto to take the execution of justice
into his own hands. After he killed DIR.
Oliver, he sent telegram to his family, say
ing that he had done what he came to do.
and was lodged in Jail. He is Il man of
wealth and standing, and occupies a promi-
nent position in the Baptist church. He re-
sides near U~pperville, Loudoun county.
THE DEcEAsE
Or. A. r. Oliver is a Scotchman by birth,
but was for twelve years a practicing physi-
clan in Birmingham, England. He came to
this country about two years ago on 4 pro-
speeding tour, and became well known
throughout the State Is general agent of Ill
English company for the promotion Of clni-
grafton to Virginia. Recently he deter
mined to make this State his home, and
was enthusiastic in the praise OF his
adopted country. During the late State
Agricultural Fair he was in Richmond, and
delivered an address before the Agricultu-
raj Society. At the Fair he had on exhibit
ton Il self half-cocking, breech-loading.
doublc-barreled gun, said to be a fowling-
piece Of unusual merit, and by the sale of
which he expected TO make Il handsome
fortune.
DR.. Oliver was about forty years Of age,
Of preposSessing appearance, and very
agreeable in conversation. He leaves ii
wife. but no children. 1t is proper to add
that when he met Mr.. Aver he did not
evince consciousness of having wronged
him, and manifested great surprise at his
hostile attitude.
Mrs. Oliver witnessed the shooting, and
of course is now in a heart-broken condi-
ton. She has the profoundest sympathy of
our people.
Altogether. this is q most distressing al
fair, and TO us it seems that the families of
both parties TO the tragedy deserve the sin
cerest sympathy. When such occurrences
are as common as they now are, 1t shows a
terrible state of decentralization. Our law
makers should inquire into the condition OF
the statute-books.
VERDICT OF TIE JURY.
Acoroner's jury being empanelled, after
a full hearing of the evidence they rendered
the following verdict !:
eve find that the said Anthony r. Oliver
was killed about ! o'clock 4. NJ. this De-
ccmber l6, 1869, by a pistol in the hands OF
George 5. Aver" VIDETTE.
RESISTANCE TO TuE MrLlTARY-A SOLDIER
SHoT.-On the 9th instant Sergeant Bradley,
of the cavalry detachment, accompanied by
private Boyle and Assistant Assessor u.
w, Smith, visited the house Of 4 man
named Dan Littrell, III Lee county, near
4 -.lsNx