The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-06-25
evening State 9ol,rnal.
COunty-One Brother Kills Another
tn Cold BlOOd-The Fratrieide Not Ar
rested.
From the Norfolk virginian.l


rested.
From the Norfolk yireinianl
BY the arrival Of DIR. R. Parker in this
city yesterday from the Eastern Shore, we
have the particulars of horrible crime
which was perpetrated in Bellhaven, North
ampton county, on the afternoon Of Friday,
the Goth instant. 1t seems from our infor-
nation that a man by the name of George
Thomas, residing in that village, acting
upon the advice of his father, deliberately
shot his older brother, Levin, through the
heart, killing him instantly.
The particulars, as far as we could learn,
were as follows: Some time ago Colonel
l.. q. Thomas, the father Of the two broth
ers. who lives on Woodland farm in the
upper part of Northampton county, and
also owns a store in Bellhaven, set his
older son up in business with The hope Of
reforming him. The young man, who was
only twenty-three years of age, was in
clined to be dissipated, and when intoxica-
ted was very unruly. The effort to reform
him was a failure, as he grew worse
instead of better, until at last the father
took the store away from him and gave it
to his younger brother George, aged seven
teen. This added fuel to the flames, and
the expelled brother became so trouble
some that he was finally ordered repeatedly
10 keep away from the store altogether.
1t is even said that Colonel Thomas adj
yised his younger son, if all other means
failed to keep his brother away, to shoot
him. BE this as it may, Levin Thomas alb
sented himself from the establishment for
some time, and did not approach it when
sober. On the morning OF the fatal day,
however, he went out to some place about
four miles from Bellhaven, where lie be-
came intoxicated, returning to the village
in that condition about five O'Clock in the
afternoon. Approaching the store, his
brother saw him, and hastily closed
the doors and windows to prevent
his entrance. Levin attempted TO
get in at the front door, but was unsnc-
cessful, and was passing around to another
door, when he was seen by Mrs. Chun,
residing near by, and she called hun away,
saying he was drunk, and she did not
wish to see him create any disturbance.
He turned away and was walking towards
her, when his brother raised window,
with rifle, took deliberate ain and shot
him, the ball taking effect in the back,
under the left shoulder blade. penetrating
the heart. Levin exclaimed, "Oh! Mrs.
Churn, ] am shot," and fell dead. The
Youthful fratricide hastily left, and has not
been heard of since. it being supposed that
he was assisted by his father to leave that
portion Of the country. An inquest was
held on Sunday over the remains Of the
murdered man, but no verdict had been re-
turned up to to the hour when our inior-
maht left.
The whole affair is one of the most
dreadful which has ever occurred in the
state, and no one can repress a thrill of
horror in reading the dreadful details. The
authorities are on the alert, and no effort
will be spared to capture the wretched
youth who has thus madIy imbued his
hands in brothers. blood. Fly where he
will, the mark of Cain will be upon him,
and even if successful in evading the Off
GERS Of the law, his after life cannot but be
o bprthen.
The melancholy occurrence has cast
deep gloom over the community, as the
family was one Of good standing, and the
murdered man, although reckless and dis
sipated, had many warm, personal friends.