Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-07-08
The Recent Tragedy in Clarke Co.

WINCHESTER, Va, July Gin Clarke
county, Virginia. about twelve miles from Win
chester, resides Franklin Littell, with large
family, on a fine estate, said to belong to his
wife. All Of the children, numbering six or
eight, are grown. Two of them, Oscar j., n
physiciao, and Lycurgus, until recently, have
been living in one of the Western States
where they spent their patrlmony, aud re-
turned, however, to find one Of their brothers,
Younger than themselves, Furnishing as farm
er on the old homestead, the owner OF quite
lumber Of valuable cattle, and good stock OF
farming utensils, etc. Disappointed in the
bootless result Of their business efforts in the
West, and jealous of the thriving condition of
Clinton Iittell, their brother, who remained at
home, they became troublesome, bitter and re-
senttul toward their mother and him, and be-
thought themselves how they might better
their own condition by impovcrishlng him
Among the children are two or three daught-
ers, one of whom took sid s with Oscar and Ly-
curgus against their mother and the rest OF the
family. Since the return OF the two brothers
from the West, the household Of the LlttclIS
has been in continual turmoil, which cuiminat-
ed on Saturday morning last IN dreadful
tragedy.
By some means, the discouteDtcd sons became
suspicious that their mother was about to vest
all her property in her most worthy son, Gin.
ton, which greatly increased their rage. But
when in short time, they found that their sus-
picions were not illfounded, they concluded to
put the old woman, her tavorite son, and such
others OF their brothers and sisters as adhered
to them, out of the way entirely. On Friday
one OF them went to one OF the nelghbOrs, and
borrowed Colt navy revolver, rcmarking that
he wanted it to show his brother that he could
not beat him shooting at a mark. " The faith
or of the family was at Washington, and did
not return until Saturday evening. Early on
Saturday morning. while the rest of the family
were sitting at the breakfast table, Oscar and
Lycurgus walked deliberately into the dining
room, locked the door behind them, and one of
them took out the key and put it into his peck
ct, and then commenced firing at the party at
the breakfast table, Oscars revolver, which
was also Colt navy, fortunately failed to go
off, though be tried nearly every barrel Of 1t.
Lycurgus' attempt at murder was more sue
cesstul. Clinton received ball in the aldo
men and a severe blow on the head from the
butt of Oscars pistol which he vigorously used
for that purpose when he found it failed to re-
spond to the trigger, and, from the effects Of
his wounds, died few hours afterwards, in
intense agony. The old woman received Sc
rious flesh wound in the right leg, the ball en-
teriug Just below the hip joint on the outside,
aud passing through, down and out on the in
side. just above the knee joint
The parties at the table, with the exception
of the girls before referred to, as soon as they
realized their danger. defended themselves as
we'll as they could. They succeeded in disarm
ing the assailants, while the younger son spraug
through the window, ran around the house aud
broke open the door they had locked on the H.
side, through which they Immediately ran out
into the yard. One of the parties attacked,
however, seized a rife, and, when about sixty
yards distant, fred, the ball striking the lower
calf Of Lycurgus, passing 10 aud round the
bones, lodging under the skin 90 the opposite
side, causing but slight wound.
The tenant on the farm, Mr.. Everhart, went
in great haste to Winchester, and summoned
Drs Miller and Love, two experienced physl-
about the place except the parties engaged 10
this horrible affair, and they still under the in
fuence of great frepzy, and concluded that it
was decidedly too unhealthy place for even
them to remain longer than their duties to the
wounded and dying would require. Clinton
died in the arms Of DR.. Miller wishin half
hour after the doctors reached the house. Ly-
curgus raved madly and affected desire to
swallow an ounce or two Of some soothing mar
cotic, but was easily dissuaded by his sympa-
thizing sister. On Sunday morning, DR.. Miller,
assisted by DR.. Somerfed aud another ply
stefan of the neighborhood, made post norton
examination OF Clinton Littcll. After long
search, the ball was found more than half way
down the left leg, between the thigh and knee,
having passed into the left side Of the abdo-
men, through the small intestues, severlng
them in two places, and out the left side, where
it struck prominent bone, and was turned
down into the left leg Internal hemorrhage,
which resulted, produced death.
The affair has created great excitement 10
the community. Oscar and Lycurgus Little
have been arrested and lodged in Jail.
THE ORIGINAL STARS AND STRIPES. Some
interesting facts in regard to the first flag of