The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-29
The Farmville Murder and Suicide.

FUNERAL. OF CAPTAIN KENSEDY-C0NCLCSION
OF THE INQUEST-THE MENTAL CONDITION
OF KENNEDY REGARDED AS HAVING BEEN
UNsOUND-COLONEL BERKELEY TO BE BU-
RIED TO-DAY.
Especial telegram to the Dispatcli.I
FARMvILLE, VA, December 2S.-The fu-
neral OF the late Captain ". II. Kennedy
took place at 3 O'Clock to-day, and was very
private. The Rev. II. II. Hawes, Presby-
tcrian minister, officated at the grave, and
will also conduct the services at Colonel
Berkeley's funeral tomorrow.
1t is now generally conceded that Ken
ncdy had been insane for some time, and
also that he had been tracking and way
laying Colonel Berkeley during the past
week. He had evidently determined on his
own suicide several weeks ago, and had
brooded over some fancied injury until he
had worked himself up to take terrible
revenge on Colonel Berkeley. Universal
sympathy is felt for both the Berkeley and
Kennedy families.
The coroner's jury assembled again to-
night before Captain +. H. .Armistcad.
Mr.. Allan appeared in behalf OF the Com
monwealth.
Town-Sergeant 4. T. Davis deposed that
he was summoned to Colonel Berkeley's
office, where he took possession OF two re-
volvers-a Colts navy and an old-fasbloned
four-barrcl; one found on the person OF
w. II. Kennedy. The siN-shooter had
three barrels loaded, and the four-shootrr
was fully loaded.
commemorative Attorney Allan stated
that the family OF Captain Kennedy wished
evidence to be taken rs to the mental condi-
ton of Kennedy at the time OF the murder
and suicide, and that the Commonwealth
and jury did not object thereto.
DR.. Randolph Stevenson and DR.. j. L..
White were examined.
Mr.. Henry Jennings next dcposed that
Kennedy had been inquirins for Colonel
Berkeley on the day before and on the day OF
the shooting. Kennedy appeared perfectly
cool, and was not excited.
Mr.. j.. j. Walker testified as to the de-
spondent condition OF Kennedy during the
past few weeks.
Captain P. w. Mckinney said he had had
no doubt as to Kcnnedv's mind being de-
ranged for several weeks. Kennedy had
confessed to witness that he had attempted
suicide Witness had warned many people
that Kennedy would kill himself, but never
| expected he would hurt any one else. He
saw Kennedy half IN hour before the deed
was done i'll his own Office, and noticed
Kennedy's singular demeanor. Kennedy
remarked, 81 have had the blues for twen-
ty-four hours worse than I ever had them
in my llie." Witness believed Kennedy
came to his Office in search OF Colonel
Berkeley.
DR.. j. W. Nash, the physician who had
been attending Kennedy, testified as to the
mental condition of the latter. He seemed
soured with the whole world. Witness had
spoken to relatives of the deceased as to his
being sent to q lunatic asylum, but the
case was one for home-restraint. Witness
thought Kennedy was suffering from melan-
choIv, but could not swear that he was ire
sponsible.
Mr.. L. C. Butler deposed as to the melan-
choly condition OF Kennedy, and as to the
fact that he bad taken several drinks on the
morning of the tragedy. He had told rela-
lives OF the deceased that unless he was
looked after be would be likely to commit
suicide. Kennedy was not drunk on the
morning Of the shooting.
This completed the testimony, and after
q brief consultation the jury, through their
chairman Colonel R. A. Booker), rem
dered verdict to the effect that Ken
nedy killed Colonel Berkeley, but without
auy decision az to the sanity OF the former.