The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-28
4 Shocking Tragedy.

Il Shocking Tragedy.
COLONEL WILLIAM RANDOLPH BERKELEY, OF
rARMyuLE SHOT AND INSTANTLY KILLED
ST y" II. KENNEDY, WHO AFTERWARDS TAKES
HIS OWN "DETAILS OF TIE DISTRESS
ING AFrAlI-INouEST BY THE CORONER, &C.
Especial telegram to the Dspatch.l
FARNyILIE. December 21.-A most shock.
iny tragedy was enacted in this usually
quiet town to-day, which resulted in the
death OF two well-known citizens-onc be-
ing killed instantly, while the other died
after lin gcring in state Of Inconsistencies
for about seven hours. The distressing oc-
currcncc took place about noon, and the
facts may be briefly related:
Colonel William Randolph Berkeley, 4
wcl-known lawyer, and a member OF the
law firm OF Berkeley & Berkeley, Of Rich
mond. was seated in his office in CONVERSE
ton with Mr.. Alfred Moth, the cashier Of
the English and American Bank. A knock
was heard at the ofticc-door, and Colonel
Berkeley got up to answer the call, at the
same time inviting Mr. Moth to remain
seated while he was away. He went to the
door and opened il. and as he did so two
uIStol-Shots We're fired, both taking effect
one in his body and the other in his right
tcmplc-and either one of which would
have Suiliccd to kill him. The Colonel sank
70 the floor corpse. The door was
pushed open, and Mr. w. II. Kennedy,
4 son OF the former proprietor
a. the Boliingbrook Hotel, at Petersburg.
entered. pistol in hand. He walked around
behind Colonel Berkccy's desk. and placing
the pi,to!-a Colts navy SiX-shootcr-to his
head. fred. ard sank mortally wounded to
the floor Mr.. Moth ran out for assistance,
and informed Mr.. Traylor. Il Saddler living
nearby, who came in and found the lifciess
body Of Colonel Berkeley lying near the
doorway and that OF Kennedy bleeding
1ipon the floor near the spot where he fired
the fatal shots. Physicians were summoned
and the wounds OF alr. Kennedy dressed.
It is stated that Kennedy had made three
previous attempts on his life, and for
long time had been in a moody and de-
spondcnt condition.
Colonel Berkeley. it is stated, had lately
been retained rs counsel in 4 case in which
Mr.. Kennedy was on the opposite side. But
beyond this fact no motive is known for the
commission Of the crime. lie was 4 most
hospitable Virginia gentleman, and OF noble
anteccdents. He had been keeping Christ
mas in old Virginia style, and his brother,
Mr.. K. Z. Berkeley, OF Richmond, was
spending the holidays with his family.
This evening the county coroner Captain
F. Ii. ArmisteadD empanclled n jury, con-
sisting of Colonel r. A. Booker Qorcman),
Charles Bugg, W. j. Meador, W. J. Fena-
Bile. s. l.. Murkland, and John r. Erain-
bert.
Mr.. Alfred Moth testified rs 10 the facts.
1t appeared that Kennedy shot Colonel
Berkeley twice, and then said to Mr.. Moth
You bad better leave" Mr.. Moth ran
for assistance. and heard third shot fired
is he descended to the street. The weapon
with which the deed was done was pro-
duced in court, and is a Colts navy SIX
shooter of most murderouS appearance.
Drs. Randolph Stevenson, J. L. White,
and j. 7. Spencer, testified rs to the ap-
pea! dilIt VI SllC DOuy duu lilG pUSl-HtS-S tcEt
examination. The deceased had received
two wounds, either OF which would have
been fatal.
Hon. Z. Y. HUBBARD, whose law-ofiice adj
joins Colonel Berkeley's, and Mr.. d. J.
Traylor, a saddlcr, testified as to the find
ing OF the bodies. DR.. j. w. Nash, who
had been professionally attending Kennedy,
deposed as to certain threats which Kenne-
dy had uttered, but without mentioning
against whom.
Commonweath's-Att Allan appear
ed for the Commonwealth, and Captain =.
D. Irving appeared for the family. After
hearing the evidence Of DR.. Nash the case
was adjourned until tomorrow.
No reason for this awful crime is assigned
except that Colonel Berkeley, in the interest
OF client, had issued an execution against
Kennedy for the small sum Of forty dollars.
Kennedy died between and O'Clock,
and was inscnsible to the last.