Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-01-04
A Tragedy at Farmville.
MURDER OF COL. VIM. RANDOLPH BERKE
LY BY AN INSANE MAN-SUICIDE OF
THE MURDERER.

MURDER OF COL. VIM. RANDOLPH BERKE-
LY BY AN INSANE MAN-sUICIDE OF
THE MURDERER.
&C., &C., sc.
In the town Of Farmville, Thursday, a
little after noon, Col. VIM. Randolph
Berkeley, aged thirty-seven years, was sit
ting in his law-office conversing with Al
fred Moth, cashier of the town bank,
when knock was heard at the door. Ask
ing his companion to excuse him while he
went to the door he got upand opened it.
AS he drew the door back, w. I'll. Kennedy,
a young man against whom Col. b. was
conducting suit, said to him, ''you have
been talking about me-" and shot him in
the breast, Immediately following with an
other shot which entered his right temple.
Berkeley sank to the floor a corpse, and
Kennedy stepping across the body, went
into the room saying to the terrified bank
cashier, ''you had better leave" which he
did. AS Moth ran down the steps he
heard third shot. When assistance came
it was discovered that Kennedy had walked
the pistol to his own head fired it. He died
about dark.
Col. Berkeley was a cousin of DIR. Carter,
Berkeley, Capt. Frank Berkeley, and Mr..
Ed. Berkeley, of Staunton. He was the
head of an interesting family, consisting of
wife and seven children. He was mem
Der and an officer of the Presbyterian
Church, and was not over thirty-seven
years Of age. For several years he was an
active member of the board of visitors of
| the University of Virginia, where he
graduated before the war. During the
war, though quite young, he was colonel
| OF a Virginia regiment which distinguish
| ed itself greatly Col. Berkeley was the
representative of two of the Oldest families
in Virginia, the Randolphs and the Berk-
eleys, both OF whom trace their descent in
a direct line from the Norman Conquest.
John Randolph, of Roanoke, and Edmund
Randolph, Attorney General of the United
States. were Of this family Bishop
Berkeley, whose line, Westward the star
OF empire takes it's way" is a household
word with Americans, was connected by
close relationship with the Berkeleys, who
at an ea,lY period came to the Old Do
minion. The Earls Of Berkeley and Fitz-
| hardinge are chiefs OF the family in Eng
land.
". Fl. Kennedy was young man of
good Sanding. and quiet, steady habits
He W d Of Il e former proprietor OF
TIL. Bolliugbi oke Hotel, at Petersburg, and
a brother OF Mr. Thomas Kennedy, the
| tel, in Stanton. He was unQuestionably
ms me. AID had attempted to take his own
life in Norfolk some time ago, and in
F.rmviile Il few months ago. He had
been unsuccessful in business and was but
recently disappointed in an application fol-
d committee clerkship in The House Of
Delegates. He was also afflicted with
Bright's disease, which preyed upon his
mind as well as body. For weeks he had
been very respondent, and had, as testified
before the inquest, made threats against
Col. Berkeley, who, at the instance of a
client, had gotten a judgment against
him for $40, and in conyers; tion with 6
third party had reflected on Kennedy.
The funeral services of both the muir
derer and his victim were conducted by
Rev. FL. H. Halves. Mr.. r. B. Berkeley
of Richmond, was spending the Christmas
with his brother, and the night he Col. B.
was killed an elegant entertainment was
to have been given at his house.