Middletown transcript., 1884-03-07
A Family Slaughtered.

| JOHN GLASSCOCK KILLS HIS WIFE,
THREE CHILDREN AND HIMSELF.
On pretty little farm near Rector
town, Fauquier county, Va, there has
resided for some years past one John
Glasscock, aged thirty, the son Of Thos.
| Glasscock, one of the wealthiest gra-
Ziers in that section of Virginia. John,
about seven years ago, married lovely
woman. who has borne to him three
children He has always been consid-
cred rather weak mentally, and for
year or two past has INDUCED in drink,
in consequence Of the reputation his
wife obtained for fondness of attention
from gentlemen and gay assemblies.
The want of harmony in Glasscock's
household arising from this had been
noticed, but no one dreamed that the
difficulty would result in fearful ira
gedy.
On Sunday morning last, about eight
O'Clock, cOlored man met John Glass
cock going toward a piece Of woods
short distance from the farm. Glass
cock requested him to go to the house
and see what he had done. The colored
man did as directed and found the house
on fire. This lie quickly eXtinguished,
and then discovered Mrs. Glasscock and
her three children, aged respectively one,
four and seven years, lying dead on the
parlor floor, each shot through the head
with pistol balls.
The neighbOrs seeing the smoke, hur-
ried toward the farm house, by some
of whom John Glasscock was noticed
on the edge of the woods intently
watching the house. On being APP
preached he shot himself through the
head, dying in a short time. Those
nearest hurried to the scene Of the sui
eide and, conveying him to the house,
the five bodies were all laid together in
the parlor on the floor, making CHASTITY
spectacle. The innocent victims of this
terrible tragedy must have died in
stantly. On the little baby's face was
a sweet smile. It was found in the
arms Of its mother, but whether she
had it in her embrace when killed, or
whether she clasped it to her bosom
after being shot will never be known.
The most intense excitement exists
throughout the neighborhood, and peo-
pie have since Sunday morning been
flocking to Glasscock' IS house from every
direction. His venerable father is very
much bowed down with grief. He had
only two children, another son being
absent in Florida, in the last stages of
consumption. 1t is reported that, ow-
ing to the dissipated habits Of John
Glasscock, the father made great diff
ference in the treatment Of the two
sons, allowing Bedford great privileges,
with his abundant wealth, and restrict
ing John to short rations ; compelling
him to practise the strictest economy.
1t is also said that he had made his will,
providing that the portion of his estate
left to John should be kept in the hands
Of trustees. This condition is said to
have worked upon Johns mind and led
him still deeper into dissipation.
Mrs. GlasScock was Miss Frazier,
of Loudon county, of a most respect
able family, and the neighbors say that
Glasscock has been filled with jealousy
for long time but they also assert,
upon the most positive terms that her
conduct as wife will bear the closest
scrutiny. She was always fond Of So
ciety, and ambitious to make display;
and her husband, soured by the lack of
confidence from his father, became mo-
rose and suspicious. The scene of the
tragedy is within three miles of the
place where, one week before, the re-
mains of DR.. Amber, of the Jeanette
expedition, were laid to rest. The five
bodies were inferred in the family bury
ing ground of the Glasscocks, side by
side.