Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1871-08-22

A MELANCHOLY OcCURREHcE.-OR
Sister Shot ind killed By aaOther.- Consid.
cradle cOmmOtiOn was caused in this place
says the Mirror on Sunday afternoon week, by
tue announcement, that daughter of Mr..
ThOs. ClarksOu, living in 'sThe Neck about
three miles east Of I4eesburg, had shot aud
killed her sister, during the afternoon of that
day. On Monday morning, Sheriff Barrett
summoned q jury. and Justice j. NJ. Wallace
proceeded to the scene Of blood aud held al
inquest over the dead body. When We arrit-
ed ON the ground, We found DR.. II. II. Ed.
wards making the necessary examination; in
the presence of the following jurors: no.
Ciagett, John Hammerly, Henry Brouaugb,
VIM. Ball, Il. q. Sellman, Geo. Jackson,
VIM. Cline, Jos. d. Kelley, John II. vii.
liams, Chas. jenkins, Geo Survick, and RobH
Harper. y
The Doctor pronounced the fatal shot TO
have been a charge Of squirrel shot, that enter.
ed the back, about the third dorsaI vertebra.
shattering the ve;ebrss, aud of course DESTROY
ing the spinal marrOw-and lodged Just under
the skin on the right breast, at an elevation of
about two inches. AS there was not soul
IN the house at the time Of the shooting except
the two sisters, there were but few witnesses
to examine. Mrs. Beavers, Mrs. Grimes. near
neighbOrs, aud Geo. Clarkson, a brother of
the interested parties, and who were the first
persons ON the ground after the occurrence,
were put upon the stand and testified that
when they arrived they found the Injured
sister lying up stairs, dead and the other sister
apparently very much distressed, who inform.
cd them that she and her sister intended to 20
to Sunday SchooI-her sister had gone mn
stairs to dress herself. Aud that. as durip.,
this absence there would have been nobody
about the house except some little children
who were at the time cut in the field, she de,
termlned TO carry the gun, a smooth bore rifle.
which was standing in the corner of the lower
room, up stairs, out of their reach That in
ascending the stair, the barrel of gun resting
on tue lett arm, the mUZZie pointing I'm. she
supposed the hammer became eutapoicd in
her dress, cruising discharge with the sad
result stated above. They also stated, that a.
they knew the best feeling existed between
the sisters, one Of them saying that when he
lett them not more than an hour or SO previ.
Gus, they were laughing and talking together
IN the most friendly manner The sister in
whose hands the gun was when DISCHARGED.
was then examined, aud in u plain straight,
forward manner related the circumstances
connected with the affair substantially as they
were given by the other witnesses.
The body OF the deceased woman was much
swollen aud otherwise disi.ured aud there be.
ing no further witnesses, the jury retired, aud
after consultation rendered the following
NTRDICT.
We, the jury OF inquest, having examined
the body OF Caroline CIarksun, decd, aud
made the inquiry Of witnesses, as to the facts
do find that the said deceased came to her
death by reason Of gun shot wound inflicted
by her sister, Mary CIarkson, aud that the
shooting is believed to have been accidental;
II. .. CLAGETT. Foreman.