Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-07-19
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In reference TO the horrible domestic
tragedy, which occurred last week, in
Clarke County,we publish the following
account, from the Clarke Courier, which
no doubt is the most correct account of
the affair which has yet been published:
On last Saturday morning, about six
o'clock, there occurred in this county, at
the residence of Franklin Little, several
miles from White Post, one of the most
shocking tragedies We have ever heard
or read OF, resulting in the death of
Clinton Little, and the wounding of his
mother and brother. 1t appears from
the evidence taken before justice Whar.
ton, who committed to Jail for trial two
of the brothers, Oscar and Lycurgus
Little, engaged in the unfortunate diff
Guilty, that the deceased, Clinton Little,
was sitting at the breakfasttable, around
which also sat his mother, three of his
brothers, columbus, Gilbert and Wal
lace), when Oscar and Lycurgus entered
the room armed with pistols. The
members of the family, in giving in
their testimony before Justice Wharton
were very reticent, and but little evil
dence was adduced to show that words
were employed before Lycurgus fired
the shot that caused the death of his
brother, Clinton. A general fight ensu
ed, in which the mother received n
wound in the thigh from pistol ball,
which shooting, it seems, uEintentlonal,
she having endeavored to shield Clinton
from the assault, and in doing so got
between him and Lycurgus pistol. Os-
car inflicted several ugly wounds on
Clinton's head by using his pistol in
club-like manner. After the shooting
of Clinton and his mother, Columbus
and Gilbert succeeded in wrestling from
the hands of Oscar and Lycurgus their
pistols,when the latter two fled towards
the barn, for the purpose, it is supposed,
of getting horses to make their escape.
The other brothers, Columbus and
Gilbert, followed in pursuit, and when
the fugitives had gotten about hun
dred yards from the house, Gilbert,who
in the meantime had seized a rifle, aimed
and fired, hitting Oscar in the leg, who
thereupon abandoned all efforts to es-
cape, and Lycurgus, not wishing to de
scrt his brother, also surrendered.
In the conflict over the pistols, Co.
lumbus was struck upon the head with
one OF the weapons, and Lycurgus had
one of his fingers injured.
In regard to the causes that led to
this sad tragedy but little is known, as
the family at the coroners inquest over
the dead body of Clinton, was careful
to divulge only that which was the I'M
mediate cause of his death.
Oscar and Lycurgus arenow confined
in the county Jail, awaiting trial. They
have resided but little in this State, hav-
ING for number of years led a sort of
nomadic life in Missouri, California and
elsewhere. They had been at home
but few days before this terrible affair.
Their father, Franklin Little, was ab-
sent in Washington at the time the
difficulty happened, but he reached home
on Saturday night. lie is not a native
of Virginia.
The room in which the tragedy was
enacted presented, it is said, an awful
sight after it was all over. The flooring
and walls were red with blood.
psY" The Grand Jury of Clarke Coun-
w have indicted Lycurgus and Oscar
Little for the murder of Clinton Little,
their brother. They were arraigned
and pleaded not guilty.
B0 COUNTY Massive clip the