Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-08-21

WEATHER PROBABILITIES, Aug. p, 1852
For the Middle Atlantic States slightly warme
fair weather. light variable winds stationary o.
lower barometer.
DEATH OF JOHN H. BRENT EsQ.-Johr
Heath Brent. esq, probably the oldest Of
our citizens, died at Mt. Hope, the residence
Of his nephew. Silas B. Hunton, esq, in
Fauquicr county, yesterday at 1915 Il. NJ
Had he lived until the 9th inst. he would
have reached his SSth year, having been
born in August 1874, in Fauquier county
Ia early life ne went to Georgetown and
there entered into mercantile pursuits, re-
moving afterwards 10 New York and thence
To- this city. where he became one of the
largest and most prominent merchants
He was ,lescrvedly held in high estimation
BY his fellow citizens and was proverbial fol
his integrity. his name being synonym oil
Justice truth and probty. He served for a
short time in the war Of 1912 and held
several po-:ions of honor and trust in this
community. He died as he had lived,
peacefully and quietly, and leaves behind
IN honorcd and revcred memory.
Mrs. CLIFFS STATEN ENT.-James Cliff.
the would-be wife murderer, having made
a statement to the effect that he shot his
wife because she was guilty Of unbecoming
conduct, the wounded woman sent for the
GAZETTE's reporter yesterday for the pur-
pose of comtradicting the assertions Of her
husband. Mrs. Gill, although unable to
move hcTscl! in bed had not the appearance
of being in very dangerous condition
Her lett hand and arm was bandaged and
an ugly scar could be seen on the forehead
just above the left temple The other
wounds in the head. were hid from view
Her hair was neatly dressed. and her APP
pcarance was that of healthy, pretty school
girl. In Il clear. strong voice she said that
the statement Of her husband was untrue in
every particular that in the presence OF
God she had been to him Il faithful wife;
that Notwithstanding his jealousy had caused
him to be unkind and abusive to her, she
had always done what she could for him
chccriully; that two weeks before the shoot
ing he had informed her that he intended
to kill her, but that she thought he was
only trying to scare her. that he called her
To him one night and said "Mollie,
intend 10 kill YOU and then the newspaper
will have long piece in it about James
Gill killing his wife" that she became sus-
pciouS Of him. and several times asked him
what he intended to do with the cartridges
he had brought home. hut he would not tell
her. She mere began TO get nervous, and
was told not To talk any further, but she in
sisted upon telling her story. Il left him. y
she SAID ITO 90 on an excursion one nigh
at his own request, and did not 60 with a
young man. nor did | spend the money |
borrowed to get him medicine; went wit h
some girl friends Continuing, she said
her husband started with her to the steam
boat wharf, and because he was attired in
Ia ..,pl.I
route through the tunnel; that when
midway the tunnel, he said: 'Molle want
to have 4 talk with you - that she said
well let Ills get out Of the tunnel and will
talk 10 you: the cars might come along and
Kill uS here; that he said no, and drew Il
pistol and fired at her, striking her in the
head and Knocking her down that upon at
tempting To arise he showed her down with
his hand and fired again, striking her in the
head: that II, fast :lS she attempted to arise
he would force her down with one hand and
fire ii her with the other; that she begged
him not to kill her, promising to work for
him the remainder of her life, but he conlin-
ucd 10 fire until all the chambers in the pis-
tol were cmpted that finding that he could
fire no more he allowed her to get up that
she ran out Of the tunnel, followed by her
husband, and was met by two ladies who
assisted her 10 her home. She said she dis
liked Very inuch the stories that were being
circulated about her. and hoped the people
would not believe them, as with all hcl
faults, she had been true to Jimmy and trea
ted him as kindly as he would allow her;
that she had attributed good deal of his
crossncss to his sickness, but that she could
now see that il was all because he did not
trust her. Upon being asked if she wanted
her husband punished she said she had no
umkind feelings towards him, but she did
not feel that she could live with him again
as she was afraid Of him, and believed that
il he got free he would again attempt to XII
her; that she thought he ought to he punish
ed, but she didn't want him punished with
death. The reporter, seeing that the woun-
dcd woman WAS again getting nervous, here
broke the conversation oil.
To-day MrS.Cliif continues in an Improved
condition.