Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-07-09
Entirely Another Version.

Mr.. Columbus Little, the Oldest OF the slS
brothers lately engaged it the distressing affair
in Clarke county, Va, has made statement
to the Washington Star in regard to the oc-
currence. Columbus Litte, it seems, is a
coachmaker in Washington, a powerful man,
IS years Of age. He presided at the breakfast
table on the morning of the fatal shooting OF
| Clinton Little and the Wounding OF their
| mother and other members OF the family. lie
claims that the published kilograms and letters
are cxaggcrations. His account Of the untor-
tunate occurrence is substantially as follows:
'sHis father is Mr.. Franklin Little, former
| resident of Washington city. He moved with
his family, 10 1857, to the farm, about seven
miles from Winchester, where they have since
resided, the farm having been the property OF
the family for over 70 years. Nothing has at
any time occurred to disturb the harmony of the
brothers beyond the usual boyish quarres. \
week or two ago Clinton Little, the second son,
(about 81 years old, came to Washington and
sold his horses, aud his brothers, Columbus,
the eldest, and Walter, the youngest, (who is
drug clerk with Mr. Cropley, in Georgetown,
accompanied him home, to spend the Fourth
of July at the farm. MIR. Franklin Little, the
father, was busy experimenting the erection OF
q row of houses, and remained in Washington.
The six brothers were reunited under the family
roof-tree, with the wife of Columbus and sis
| ter of the Littes, and one or two young ladies'.
| Ga the 4th the brothers were to have shoot:
ing match at target, but postponed 1t until
next day, and went to visit a neighbor, Willie
| Lewis, and they all went to a picnic. Next
morning 1.-THE 5th) they all got up early to pre-.
pare for the projected shooting match and
| were busily cleaning their arms and loading
them-s some four or FIVE pistols and rifle
| when they were called in to breakfast by their
mother. 1t being her rule to require prompt
attendance at meal times the brothers suspend
ed operations and all laid down their arms ex-
cept Oscar, (next in age to Clinton,) who put
his pistol in his pocket, and Lycurgus, (about
twenty years DID, who, with bcyish eagerness
to be ready for the first shot, took his weapon,
large navy revolver, to the table with him.
After trifing with it ewhile be laid the weapon
upon his lap, the muzzle pointing towards his
mother (next to HIM and Clinton beyond. The
ladies Except Mrs. Little had not yet come
to the table. The pistol, it seems, was cooked
for while they were at breakfast it was dlscharg,
ed-still lying across the lap of Lycurgus-and
the ball passed through the thigh of Mrs,
Little, and into the body of Clinton. Column
bus Little positively states that this accidental
shot was the the on y one fired 10 or out OF the
| house. Mrs. Little had no artery touched or
bone broken, aud was doing we'll when Coum-
bus Little LETT the farm this morning. Clinton
Little was terribly wounded, and died in the
arms of Columbus at 10 o'clock noon on Satur-
day, about four anda half hours after the shoot
ing. Mr.. Columbus Little says that there was
very naturally great excitement IN and about
the house, and that the Winchester reporters
or correspondents took down the tale as 1t was
told BY gossipipg country neighbors. He says
will prove the great Injustice done the family by
the published reports OF the affair.