Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-08-08
Fratricide.

Ole of the most diabolical murders ever
committed took place on Saturday evening last
in Elizabeth City county, Some two or three
miles west Of the town Of Hampton, mention
of which has appeared in the Gaz,tte. The
weapon used was large clasp knife and the
parties negroes. The following are the partic
ulars Of the murder -
A short distance from Hampton. and front
ing on the roads, lies the Bates farm, which
during the war was freely "Equatted" upon by
the contrabauds, and who, When 81 attempt
was made some eight or niro years ago to re-
move them, declared war, and company or
troops from the fort had to be sent there to
preserve order. An amioabe arrangement was
Gnay effected between landlord and tenants,
and quiet Wss again restored. Among these
who remained were two brothers. John and
William Bird, the principal and victim Of the
tragedy. Both followed the water, and titled O
small piece of land for living, and Wero OIL
ways regarded az quiet and respectable among
their associates William, for time, ran on a
coasting vessel between Hampton and New 7 ork,
and some four or five years ago Wasshipwrecked
eff The Virginia coast. lie managed to secure
piece Of plank from the wreck, upon which
he maintained himself for four dsys, until he
was picked up by a passsDg Vessel. Two or
three years ogo lis brother John married, and
came to Hampton to live, where he still fol-
lowed the water, AID Of late has been in the
habit of assisting his brother 10 cultivatlng O
small Piece Of land which be had purchased.
1t seems from the evidence adduced 10 the
preliminary examination held Tuesday before
Justice Jones, colored, that there had been &
dispute between the two 10 regard to wages,
John claiming So for bis services. while William
claimed that 81 SO was sufficient On Sstur.
evening a neighbor passing heard them quar-.
reliog about the matter. William was in the
house, and John was out IN the yard. lie
states that he heard John say to William. III
you come out Of that house Ill kill you" but
thinking it vas merely az idle threat, paid no
attention to it, aud passed %. From what
afterwards occurred it appears that William did
come out Of the house, Wher his brother drew
out large bone handlsl clasp knife, with a
blade about Eva inches long, and struck hin
several blows with 1t. One ct them CUT hi!
throat, another entered the neck back OF the
car, and two others wcro aimed at the heart,
| one of which nearly severed rib, while the
other cut tho poor fellow heart nearly 10 twain.
Shortly afterwards John called OBS of the
neighbors. and told him that be had killed his
brother-had cut his throat with knife, but
gave DO reason for doing 81. The authorities
we're promptly notified. and Sheriff Haas made
tho arrest about midnight. The murderer
made no attempt to escape, and seemed to man
ifest no oonccrn whatever 10 regard 10 the mat
ter. lie was fund sitting beside the body,
with the knife still in his hand, which was
identified to day by lumber Of witnesses.
William was small mao, about thirty year:
cf ago, ADD leaves wife anl three small chill
dtcn. The prisoner is about thirty five year:
old, very dark, with low, racediDg forehead
rather sparcly built and about five feet SIX IN
ches high. lie seemed perfectly cool and col
lcced and did not seem to akn any interest 10
the examination. His trial will take place al
the ncyt t;rm 0fthc court.