Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-11-10
IT WAS HORRIBLE.
THE ArFRAY AT eRoWNsBuao BE-
TWEEN WALKER AND THE MiLLERS.
Eun Particulars OF the Affair-How De-
voted Wife Died-fears OF
Bynching.

u.
pai theme of discussion here and at
Brownsburg, and the interest and excite
ment in the matter since the full particu-
lars have been made known by eye-wit-
nesses. seems to be on the increase instead
az showing signs Of abatement. IL rs the
most awful. the most sickening, ana the
saddest affair ever known in this ond OF
tho Valley, and the fatal results OF the at
fray came like thunder-clap. Nothing
short of a severe earthquake could have
excited the people and raised public int
rest 10 such high tension Of excitement
AS the fatal ending Of the warrant hearing
In Magistrate Bosworth's court at Browns
burg between and 4 o'clock yesterday,
and now there are fears that other fatal re-
suits may be recorded as the sequence OF
the original trouble.
TnR STORY.
The history Of the affair is o long story,
bnt bristles with interest. DR.. n. }.
Walker, the leading principal in the trou-
bic. was one Of the most prominent clti-
rens of Rockbridge county. man OF daring
bravery, of high sense of honor, end one
of the best-known physicians and sur,
ceons in tho State--a man of brilliant mlnd
md of large means. He WAS until very lately
an active member Of Board Of State Medical
Txaminers. a position he resigned on &C
count of bad health. lie married MISS
Brooks, member OF an influential family OF
Augusta, living near Waynesboro'. 1hey
lived ct Brownsburg in ease and luxury
and the Doctor enjoyed q nice income from
a large practice. There were no children
but they had one adopted daughter. Near
by lived Mr.. Henry Miller, the second
motor in the tragedy. He was man well
advanced in years, highly-rospected
farmer of large means. and his character
was all that one could wish for. There are
four grown sons, several daughters. ana
the aged wife. The two families were on
the best of terms and frequently visited.
Old Mr.. Miller was at the residence OF Dr.
Walker some ten days ago. when, IT Is
charged, that he grossly insulted Mrs.
Walker and her adopted daughter. Mrs.
Walker kept the matter a secret from her
husband for week. The matter so wor-
ned her that she finally gave her nus
band the full particulars OF the matter.
HRR OBJECT.
Her object in keeping 1t secret so long
was that, knowing the daring bravery OF
her husband and his high sense OF honor.
she feared when he heard of the matter
that il would so anger him that fatal en-
counter between her husband and Mr.. MIL
Ter would result. When DR.. Walker heard
the story he becamoso incensed and angry
that no nt once made up his mind TO XIII
Miller of sight, and IT Is ssId tired 10 meet
the man charged with Offering an insult TO
his wife the very morning he heard Oh IL,
but was not successful.
APUIuIc SECRET.
The story Of the insulted wife and the
injured husband seeking revenge soon be-
came public secret, and tho friends OF
both gentlemen, who were known TO be
brave and determined men, feared that II
they should meet the death of one or both
would be the inevitable result.
On Monday the Attn instant, the day be-
fore the election. il IS said DR.. Walker pub
licly announced his purpose 20 kill Miller,
md armed himself with q gun TO hunt FOR
Miller but again failed 10 find his man.
Tuesday DR.. Walker was unable to be
about. and thus the affair stood until
Thursday night, when friends OF Miller
induced him 10 have DR.. Walker put under
bonds TO keep the peace, knowing that not
many DAYS more could pass before the two
men would have q fatal encounter. Ac-
cordinely early Friday morning the peace
warrant was sworn out by Miller for
Walkers arrest. on the charge that Walker
was seeking 10 take the life of Miller. DIR.
Walker was served with the warrant by
special constable TO appear at the Magis-
traDe's Court at 8 O'Clock.
EXCITEMENT.
When the turn Of affairs became known
the people were greatly excited, fearing
that the trouble would then come TO n
head. IL - the current report that Justice
of-the-Peace L. b. Bosworth advised Henry
Miller and his sons to arm themselves, bat
this IS not positively known TO be true.
ARMED.
However, Miller and his sons came to
Brownsburg from their home, some five
miles distant, armed with pistols and guns,
Il. 81 4 4.I hoonmanf pt
the Brownsburg Academy building, in an
upstairs room of which the trial was to be
held. The room used to hear the case was
on the second floor of the building and is
reached by q broad flight of steps. IL was
formerly used as a school-room and Is ca
pable of holding two hundred or more
persons standing. At the appointed hour
for the trial, after Miller and his sons and
friends had taken their places IN the
courtroom and dense audience filed
the room, all the details for the trial
having been completed. Justice Bosworth
notified his constable. MIR. Samuel Devor,
TO search DR.. Walker for weapons before
be entered the room. The Constable obey
ed the order.
He met DIR, Walker outside and told him
his mission. Dr. Walker readily acceded
20 being seafched No weapons were
found on him, but before ne (Walker) en-
tered the courtroom he stepped into his
Office near tho courtroom where, 1t Is
thought, he armed himself,
TRIAL BTGUN.
DIR. Walker, wife. and friends came into
court and the witnesses being sworn the
trial was begun. Witnesses were called
tened to with bated breath and death-llke
stiffness. The evidence went TO show that
DR.. Walker had threatened the life OF Mill
Ter, a fact not denied by the defendant.
When all the evidence had been taken
and in the interval between the hearing OF
the case and the Justices decision not a
sound broke the stiffness of that court
room, so soon 10 become the scene OF the
most awful homicide ever known IN this
section. Justice Bosworth arose and rem
dered his decision in clear. forcible voice,
requiring DIR. Walker to give a bond of $500
70 keep the peace for twelve months.
HE DECLINED.
The decision rendered. every eye was on
DR.. Walker, who seemed excited and angry.
In O moment he spoke courteously but
firmly, declining TO give the bond. The
Justice then told him he would be forced
TO commit him 10 Jail in default.
DIR. Walker responded: / will go to jail
before i will be placed under peace bond.
JUSTICE BOSWOllu lDCu pIOCttuch W
make out the papers necessary for COM
initial before placing the prisoner in the
custody of an officer to bring him to the
county Jail located at Lexington. When
the papers had been completed DIR. Walker
arose from his seat and, turning towards
Henry Miller standing very close, asked
Justice Bosworth if he could have the
privilege Of slapping that man'sface, mean
ing Miller's.
The Justice firmly told him no, that the
dignity Of his court must be preserved and
the peace must not be violated by any diff
fculty whatever. Walker then moved to-
wards Miller and drew pistol from his
pocket.
A SIGNAL.
This was signal for the opening of the
fatal ARRAY.
Dave Miller, q son Of Henry Miller, on
whom Walker was advancing with the pis-
tol. with other friends of Miller. pounced
on Walker and quickly took the pistol from
him. but not until after desperate fight,
the pistol being discharged several times,
when il is thought Dave Miller was shot.
Dave Miller secured Walkers weapon, but,
not daunted, Walker drew long knife,
caught Henry Miller, and stabbed him la
tho heart, bowels, side, and back-some
fifteen or twenty wounds in all. While
Walker was doing his deadly work Dave
Miller opfnQi fire. on Walkar and hx,poht