Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-01-01
A Shocking Tragedy.

' A Shocking Tragedy.
COLONEL WILLIAM RANDOLPH BERKE
LEY, OF FARMyILLE, SHOT AND IN
STANTLY KILLED BY w. II. KENNEDY,
Z WHO AFTERWARDS TAKES HIS OWN
LIFE.
FARMvILLE, Dec. PA most shock
ing tragedy was enacted in this usually
quiet town to-day, which resultedin the
death of two wellknown citiZens-one
being killed instantly, while the other
died after lingering in state of uncon-
sciousness for about seven hours. The
distressing occurrence took place about
noon, and the facts may be briefly relat-
ed
Colonel William Randolph Berkeley,
well known lawyer, and member OF
the law firm of Berkeley & Berkeley, OF
Richmond, was seated in his office in
conversation with Mr.. Albert Moth, the
cashier of the English and American
Bank. A knock was heard at the office
door, and Colonel Berkeley got up to
answer the call, at the same time invit'
ing Mr.. Moth to remain seated while he
was away. He went to the door and
opened it, and as he did so two pistol
shots were fired, both taking effect-one
il his body and the other in his right
tanple-apd either one of which would
hsve sufficed to kill him. The Colonel
sink to the floor a corpse, The door
vas pushed open, and Mr.. w. H. Ken
ndy, son of the former proprietor OF
te Bollingbrook Hotel, at Petersburg
etered, pistol in hand. He walked
aound behind Colonel Berkeley's desk,
ad placing the pistol-a Colts navy
SIX -shooter-to his head, fired, and sank
1ortally wounded to the floor. Mr..
| Moth ran out for assistance, and inform
q Mr. Traylor, saddler living nearby
Who came in and found the lifeiess body
O Colonel Berkeley lying near the door
way and that of Kennedy bleeding up
o. the floor near the spot where he fired
tie fatal shots. Physicians were sum-
noned and the wounds of Mr.. Kennedy
dressed.
| 1t is stated that Kennedy had made
three previous attempts on his own life,
and for a long time had been in moody
and despondent condition.
Colonel Berkeley, cit is stated, had
| lately been retained as counsel in q case
! in wh;Ah-4an. hKanfedy was on the op-
posEe side. But beyond this fact no
nItivelis known for the commission OF
| tie crime. He was most hospitable
Virginia gentleman, and of noble an.
tecedents. He had been keeping Christ
mas in old Virginia style, and his broth
err Mr.. E. E. Berkeley, of Richmond,
was spending the holidays with his
family.
No reason for his awful crime is as
signed except that Colonel Berkeley, in
the interest CT client, had issued an
execution again Kennedy for the small
sum of forty dollars.
Kennedy died between and O. clock,
and was insensible to the last.
THE VIEWS OF GOVERNOR KEMPEB
AND GOVERNOR ELECT HOLIDAY ON
THE PROGRAMME FOR THE INAUGURA-
TION.-There seems to be an impression
in the community that disagreement
has sprung up between Gov. Kempel
and Col. Holiday in relation to the
forthcoming Inauguration of the latter
and that correspondence has passed
between these gentlemen in this con
nection, in which some unkind Ian.
guage was used by Col. Holiday. This
is mistake. We learn authoritatively
sthat there was correspondence be-
tween Gov. Kemper and bis successor
on this subject, but of the most cordial
and friendly character; that it was
marked by the utmost courtesy and by
proffers OF good Offices aud kind services
on both sides; that bo.h gentlemen are
equally averse to ostentation and parade
on the occasion of the induction of q
Virginia Governor into office for the
reason that it is contrary to the ancient
and unbroken usages of the old Com.
monwealth that Gov. Holiday, while
holding. these views, yet thinks the
people have the right to doas they please
in the matter, and that il is his: duty te
yield to the respectable numbers who
have, without his prompting, arranged
for public and ceremoniGus inaugura
ton that the Governor, on the Other
hand, while recognizing the right of the
people to do as they please, believes thai
the new programme is the work of q few
thousands, but distasteful to the great
body of the people and wrong in itself
yet he very unreservedIy acquiesces in
the decision of his successor, and will
do whatever in him lies to make the in.
auguration success according TO tht
programme of its projectors"
The two Goyernors, it is stated upor
the best authority, are warm persona.
friends, who have interehanged every
possible evidence of sincere personal re
gard - Rich. Wing.
DOGS AGAINST SHEEP.-We have
always been the steady advocate of {