The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-30
KILLED HIS WIFE.
Terrible Tragedy In Charles City-A Jealous
Husband Ends His Wife's Life with Dou-
ble-BarreIled Shot-Gun.

1t has been a long time since the quiet
neighborhood in the vicinity OF Charles
City Courthouse has been called upon TO
notice a more terrible tragedy, and one bet
ter calculated to create feelings OF excite
ment, than the killing OF Mrs. Eliza Orange
by her husband, James Orange, Monday
afternoon.
James Orange, the author OF the deed, is
O man in the prime OF life. He owns q
small plantation about eight miles from the
county-seat Of Charles City county, and
has been able by means OF hard work to
keep free from debt and to take care OF q
wife and two children. About four years
ago he married Eliza Woodcock, and since
their marriage the two have lived upon the
little farm, testing the struggles OF life.
James Orange was man, II Is said, OF
lymphatic temperament, and, unfortu-
nately, frequent family jars occurred. His
jealous mind saw many things in his wife's
conduct that he condemned, and, whether
with or without ground, these matters
gave Orange great concern. He brooded
over them, and at last his morbid condition
OF mind caused him TO stain his hands with
the blood Of the woman whom he had
sworn to be true TO through life.
has shocked the good people Of Charles
City county within the recollection OF the
oldest resident. The community in which
the tragedy occurred has always been noted
for its quiet and peaceable character, and
violations OF law or outragcs against the
peace OF the Commonwealth are rarely
heard Of. The news Of Mrs. Oranges
death, and the manner thereof, therefore,
fell with startling effect upon the peopf>
and il was hard at first to give it credence.
The facts in the case rs nearly as they
can be gathered, are as follows:
Mr.. Orange and his wife had quarrelled
day or two before the tragedy, and on
Monday about O'Clock =. VI. Mr.. Orange
came home, when the trouble eliminated
in the death Of the wife.
As no one was present at the time OF the
shooting nothing positively is known as to
the particulars or the trouble which imme-
diately preceded the shooting.
This much is knOwn-that Immediately
after the dreadful deed Mr.. Orange left
his house and made his way to the planta.
ton OF Mr.. u. Parsons, deputy sheriff oi
Charles City county. lie made known to
Mr.. Parsons the fact that he had killed his
wife with shotgun, and the officer took
him in charge and safely conveyed him tC
the county Jail.
1t is said that n brother OF the dead wife
hearing of the sad fate OF his sister, armed
himself with shotgun and went out Will
the determination to ayengc her death
but whether this be so or not il is hard tc
say.
The weapon with which the shooting
was done was replaced in q rack over The
door. where it ordinarily rested.
When the ncighbors came to Orange''
humble home they found the dead body o
the poor woman resting i'll the doorway
her head and portion OF the body lying OF
the floor, and the feet and limbs over th'
door-siI. The clothing OF the dead wifi
was blackened by powder and charrct
from the blaze Of the gun. from which rae
il i, reasonable to infer that the partic
were in close contact at the time OF the fata
deed. The fatal missiles entered the lcf
breast in close proximity &c. the heart, an'
Mrs. Orange must have died almost III
| family.
The County Coroner was notified ana
! iurv Of inmest summoned. After yiewini
the remains they brought in verdict to tn
effect that Mrs. Eliza Orange came to he
death from gun-shot wounds inflicted
tlIe hands Of James Orange her husband
This inquest was held yesterday evening
1t is a sad affair, and has created agreat dea
OF excitement.