The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-22
A Startling Tragedy,

A. REL tTED TO THE "NEws" REPORTER--A
REMARKABLE STORY OF CRIME AND RETBI-
BCToS.
one Of the most startling tragedies that
ever stained the annals of crime in the Old
Dominion is reported 10 have occurred on
last Wednesday night near Spruce Run,
on the dividing line between Montgomery
and Pulaski counties. The facts OF the al
fair are reported 10 be about rs we shall
proceed 10 relate: \ farmer. living at
spruce Run, held the note Of a neighbor 10
the amount OF seycnty-odd doll1rs; and the
PAPER falling due on Wednesday last, the
latter repaired to the farmers house. sew
erll miles distant, to redeem the obligation.
Upon arriving there he found his creditor
absent from home, and only his wife with
two visiting ladie, on the premises. The
former acccdcd 10 suggestion to receipt
for the money. which was duly turned over
into her keeping until the husband should
arrive. At the conclusion OF the transac-
ton the gentleman prepared to return TO
hi. home. but was pressed 10 remain Tor
the night: and it being quite late and the
roads like the street, IN Lynchbnrg) being
in an almost impossible condition, nc finally
consented. and was assigned room on the
second floor Of the house.
And now comes in the startling part OF
the story. This gentleman OF whom we
have been writing relates that about mid
night he was awakened from his slumberS
Ly strange noises in the apartment be-
meath that which he occupied. lie at once
dressed himself and proceeded down to
investigate the cause, when, upon reaching
the foot Of the stairs. he was horritied to see
his hostess living across her bed with her
throat cut from ear 10 ear and two men stand
ins in the floor. Finding that they had
been detected in their iiendish work. the
murdercrs attempted TO effect their escape
from the house. but were fired on by the
guest. and both instantly killed. The
nelghborhood was Immediately aroused,
and the facts of the horrible tragedy made
known; and upon closer examination Of
thepersons of the dead murdcrcrs they were
discovered 10 bethe bodies Of the two wo-
men who had witnessed the money trans
action Of the evening before. and who had
n..ed themselves i'm male attire for the
purpose Of securing the seventy dollars
without detection. The people in that vi
cinity are, Of course, in state OF great cN-
element over the occurrence.
These are the facts a. related by prOml-
ncnt merchant at Central Depot 10 Engi-
ncer Hooper, OF the Norfolk and Western
railroad. and hy the latter toldto the repre-
sentative OF the NelrS. The names OF the
parties were mentioned by the merchant
aforesaid. but could not be recalled by our
Misunderstanding NcrS.
lApriyate telegram from LynchburS yes
terday characterized this story a "altoge-
ther >ensatiQDal,rl
iBy Associated Prcs-l
APROBABIE HOAX.
LYSCHBUEG, January 2l.-The report tel
cgapbed from here OF horrible tragedy IN
southwestern Virginia was related to the
reporter OF the NeicS by an engineer Of TIE
Norfolk and Western railroad named
Hooper, and published by that Journal to-
day. Diligcnt inquiry to-day has failed to
confirm the report. The place where the
tragedy is alleged TO have occurred is Spruce
run, on the dividing line between Mont
gOmerv and Giles counties, but two gentle
men Of this city who spent Yesterday in
that neighborhoOd say that they heard no.
thing Of the affair, and none OF the train
mnOr passengers who passed Central Depot
hi, morning could learn anything further
Of il.