Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-11-13
BR0WNSBURG FEUD.
THE BURIAL OF Or. AND MRS.
WALKER
Refusal 10 Allow the Bodies On Enter the
Chnrch-The Narrow Escape of
Jim Miller.


LEXINGTON, Va, November l2-Rock-
tridgo county. while boasting of the pros
once of all denominations in successful
operation. can be strictly Chased ~ Pros
hytcrian community, having. been settled
fome two hundred wears ago by the Scotch
lrish Presbytorians, of whom the present
population are largely direct descendants.
New Providence church, near BrOwnsburg.
some fourteen miles from Lexington. IL
the banner Presbyterian church in
the Virginia Valley in point of num-
hers. la its congregation are wealth,
education. and influence. Il was Orga-
riznd over one hundred years ago. The
centennial of Tho Virginia Synod was celc-
hretcd there last yeor. Or. aud Mrs. 4. J..
Walker Killed. i'm sho friehtful homicide at
Brownsburg last Friday. We're. one con
frihutur. the other commitment. sun
dav last the official body Of that congTega-
tiou. of which the venerable DIR. Vaughan IS
pastor. decided not to permit the bodies Of
pocf, or Mrs. Walker 20 be hrOughtin the
building foT the performance Of the funeral
ceremony. the reason for such action not
being made public. 80 far "a have heard.
Monday morning fifteen hundred persons
gathered az the church 20 hear tho funeral
sermon over the two dead bodies, but
when the funeral cortfgc arrived they were
not permitted 20 enter, and the
remains were taken % the church.
yaTd cemetery and lowered into u
double grave without the usual funeral
ritual and sermon, the only services being
selections from tho Scriptures and afcw
remarks on their personal characters by the
pastor. This seemingly uncailcd-fOr &C
tion On the part Of the officers IS being
criticised IN terms most severe. This stand
of the session has caused sensation and
will. I an told. result in q split in that
large. wealthy. and influential church.
rfEoE or GENFRALsHIP.
A prominent citizen from the lower end
OF tins county, near Bfownsburg. was ~
town to-day and said 10 yonr correspon-
dent II was a fine piece Of generalship
ON the part of the ofiC ers OF the court 90
remove Jim Miller and ms brother, who
figured in the murder Of DR.. and Mrs.
Walker. from the jail here 10 Lynchburg
yesterday.
"WhyY" asked.
well. / know for certainty that the
friends Of Mrs Walker in this, Augusta.
aud other adjoining counties, numbering
between 300 and 900 angry, determined
men. had completed every arrangement 20
come here last night and lynch Jim Miller
for the murder Of Mrs. Walker. They
would have arrived here between midnight
and morning and would have made trouble
had they met resistance. Late IN the Of
ternOon the news that the prisoners had
been taken 20 Lynchburg upset all their
plans. If the law fails 10 hang jim Miller
these men will"
I'VE state on the best OF authority that
there Is no law Of the Presbyterian Church
regulating the course to he pursued by
pastors in conducting funeral services Of
persons who have died by violence. The
matter is left to the judgment and the
Christian charity of the pastor himself
who says our authority. would no doubt
consult the elders Of his church and be in
fuencod by their advice In the present
case one of the parties, presumably Mrs.
Walker, being a commitment, the action
Of the pastor and session as reported by
our correspondent Is hard 10 understaDd.I