Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1873-07-08
FIRST EDITION.
DOMESTIC TRAGEDY IN VIRGINIA.
TWO BROTHERS ATTACK THEIR OWN
FAMILY.
SIX MEN coNFLIo T.

A terrible tragedy occurred on Saturday morn
ing at the residence of Franklin Little, a very
highly respectable citizen of Clarke county, Va,
about seven miles from Winchester in which six
brothers, Clinton, Columbus, Gilbert, Wallace,
Oscar and Lycurgus were involved. 1t seems
that the brothers have been at variance for some
time, the cause being jealousy that has existed
directly between the oldest brothers, Clinton
Oscar and Lycurgus.
On Saturday morning AZ part OF the famlly
were at breakfast. Oscar and Lycurgus entered
the dining room, locked the door after them, one
putting the key in his pocket. Then one OF them
took seat uear the door, the other oil from the
table. Oscar addressing himself to CLINTON, said
that they had nothing against him and did not
want him to interfere in what they were about
to do Clinton jumped from his seat but be-
fore he could speak Oscar and LycnrBus drew
their revolvers and aimed at him and at the rest
of the family at the table and ired, woundln8
Clinton and their mother, Mrs Little. Ihe
fight then became general amongst all the broth
ers lasting some minutes. All we're severely
wounded except Wallace. By this time some OF
the belligerents had gotten outside the house;
Lycurgus and Oscar then started to run 20
lumbus drew a revolve. and fired at tho murder
ous brothers without effect, the distance bein
too great. Gilbert who was standing near, ran
into the house and brought out rlile, hreu az
Oscar at long range. wounded him IN the leg;
He was captured by Columbus and Gilbert aud
ken to Berryville and lodged in jail.
Clinton died after lingering couple OF hours
in intense agony. The mother Is IN critical
condition A post mortem.examiuatlon OF the
body of Clinton was held by Drs. Somerville,
Miller and Wilson Internal hemorrhage was
found to be the cause of death, the ball enter
ing above the right hip bone and lodging i'll the
LEFT knee. A coroners inquest was held ana a
verdict rendered that Clinton Little came TO
his death by pstol-shot, fired premeditatedy by
his brother Lycurgua." The examination will
take place at Berryvile Monday. The excite
ment is great in Clarke county against the
brothers Oscar and Lycurgus
FURTHER PARTICULARS OF THE AFFAIR.
The quarrel, it seems, was about property.
The family live on largo estate, which Is SAID
to belong to Mrs Little. Cor Iittell.) Oscar ls
physician and he aud Lycurgus have been NV
ing in one of the Western States. where they
spent their patrimony, and returned, however
to find one Of their brothers, younger than them
selves flourishing as farmer on the old home
stead the owner of quite number OF valuable
cattle, and good stock OF farming utensils, etc
Disappointed i'll tho bootlesa result OF their efforts
in the West, and Jealous of the thriving condl-
tion of Clinton Littell, their brother, who re-
manned at home, they became troublesome, Dit
ter and resentful toward their mother and him
and bethought themselves how they might bot
ter their own condition by impoverlshlng him
Among the children are two or three dan6htere
one of whom took side with Oscar and lycurgut
against their mother and the rest OF tne iami,y
Since the return of the two brothers from the
West the household of the Littells has been IL
continual turmoil, which eliminated OIL Satur
day morning.
by some means the two discontented sons be-
came suspicious that their mother was about tc
vest all her property in her most worthy son
| Clinton which greatly increased their rage. Bii
| when. in a short time they found that their sus
picions were not i'll founded, they concluded =
put the old woman her favorite son and sucl
others of their brothers and sisters as adhere
| to ihem out ofthe way entirely.