Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1873-07-12

The citizens of the vicinity OF White
Post, Clarke county, Va, were thrown
into q terrible state of excitement by
the report of the killing of Clinton Int
tle by his brothers Oscar Little and Ly-
curious Littte,also the wounding OF their
mother and several other members Oh
the family.
AS far rs can be ascertained the facts
are these Clinton Little had occasion
to take several horses TO Washington,
d. c., and make sale of them, and on
Saturday morning, 9Th of July, as Gill
ton Little, his mother, his brothers and
other members of the family were sit
ting at their breakfast table, they were
surprised by the entrance III the room
of the two brothers Oscar and Lycurgus
Little, who, locking the door, walked
up to Clinton Little and made a demand
for half the money that he had received
for the sale of horses, and if he did not
hand over they would murder him. Suit
inc the action to the word, both broth
ers, Oscar and Lycurgus Little, present
ed their pistols and commenced firing
Oh their brother, who fell MORALLY
wounded Whilst on his knees he was
beaten in the face and temple by one of
his brothers, whose pistol failed to fire.
During the melee the mother was Sc
riously wounded by pistol-shot in the
thigh. The room was literally covered
with blood,as seen by several witnesses.
After Clinton Little had been killed the
two brothers, Oscar and Lycurgus, at
tempted to escape, when younger bro
Their, picking up rifle, discharged it at
his brothers murderer, and inflicted
wound in his g,and the remaining bro
Their fired q shot at him, and wounded
the one firing the rifle. The whole re-
suit was the killing Of one brother and
wounding of the mother and two bro
Tiers. The two murderers are now con-
fined in the Clarke county Jail at Berry
vile, Va.
.AnOther-4ccouni.-Mr Little, Sr.,the
father of the family,is engaged i'll Wash
ington city, and fastened home Satur-
day evening on learning the news otthe
terrible affair, which is now the great
theme of conversation i'll this whole sec
ton of the country. As yet all the facts
in the case are not known beyond the
account Of the desperate struggle which
has been given. Oscar Little is 4 drug
gist and is generally called DR.. Little
Some time ago, ii is stated, he aud Ly-
curgus secured what they were entitled
to or would be entitled to, from the fam
ily estate, and went West, but spending
their property returned, making other
demands, which were resisted by the
three other brothers and the mother.
In the fight Oscar Little's pistol snap
ped several times, and proved worthless
as a weapon. Lycurgus,at the first fire,
missed his brother Clinton and shot the
mother, and fired again, giving Clinton
the mortal wound. In the subsequent
melee Oscar and Lycurgus were over
powered, disarmed and driven out Of
the house. Columbus, one of the bro
theirs acting on the defensive, is very
powerful man, and Gilbert, who fired
the rifle, is very delicate. They were
both badly cut and injured about the
head by the attacking party with tie
but-cnds Of pistols.
Afterwards, it is alleged, Oscar and
Lycurgus again returned to the house,
the former with rifle ball in his leg,
and took large dose Of morphine,
which. however, did not have the dcslr
ed effect Finally Oscar aud Lycurgus
were placed under arrest and conveyed
TO the county Jail Of Clarke county.
AnOfher .AccOunt-Mr. Columbus
Little, the oldest Of the six brothers
lately engaged in the distressing t;mily
feud at White Post, near Berryyillc,
Clarke county, Va, has made q state
ment to the Washington Star in regard
to the occurrence. Columbus Little, it
seems, is o coachmaker in Washington,
on G. street, near Seventh street, pow
erful man, 80 years Of age. He prcsid-
ed at the breakfast table on the morn
ing of the talshooting of Clinton Lit
tie and the wounding OF their mother
and other members of the family lie
claims that the published kilograms and
letters are gross exaggerations. Ills
account of the unfortunate occurrence
is substantially as follows
His father is Mr.. Franklin Little,
former resident Of Washington city,and
canal commissioner under Mayor Tow
erp. He moved with bis family,in 1851
to the farm, about seven miles from
Winchester, where they have since re
sided, the farm having been the proper
/ ty of the family for over 10 years.
Nothing has at any time occurred to
disturb the harmony of the brothers
beyond the usual boyish quarrels. a
week or two ago, Clinton Little, the
second son, (about 81 years oid) came
to Washington and sold bis horses, and
his brothers, Columbus, the eldest, and
Walter, the youngest, (who Is a drug
clerk with Mr.. Cropley,in Georgetown0
accompanied him home, to spend the
Fourth of July at the farm. Dir. Frank
lin Little, the father, was busy superin-
tending the erection OF row Of houses
he was having built on Tenth street,
near 3, and remained in Washington.
The six brothers were united under the
family rooftree, with the wife of Co
lumbus and sister of the Littles, and
one or two young ladies. On the 4th
the brothers were to have shooting
match at 4 target, but postponed. until
next day, and went to visit a neighbor;
Willie Lewis, and they all went to 4
pic mic. Next morning (the 5th) they