Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1890-04-25
The Tragedy in New Kent.
A Pathetic Letter from a Wr0nqed
Woman.

J AAA~ AANoVAJ IA 4uVu 4AOAss
A Pathetic Letter from Wronqed
Woman.
Commissioner Of the Revenue of New Kent
county, by his son-in-law, Bennett Bar
ham, whom he had forced to marry his
daughter Lula on the 10Th of last Septem-
Der in Washington, Was published in the
INDICATOR last Friday. A correspon-
dent of the Richmond Dispatch gives the
particulars of the tragedy:
| On September IS, 1889, Mr.. Walter Ball,
a prominent citizen of New Kent county,
with his son, entered the room of young
Bennett Barham, a clerk of the West Point
| Terminal Company, at O'Clock IN the
morning. They covered Barham with their
pistols, compelled him to accompany them
and warning him not to attempt to escape
at the peril OF his life, escorted him to the
depot, where they took the train for Rich
mond. There they were joined by Miss
Lula Ball, to whom Barham had been en-
gagged to be married, but which engage
ment he had broken off. The entire party
went to Washington, Barham being a close
(September 19th), he was forced almost
at the pistols muzZle to marry
Miss Ball. They all returned to their
homes and separated, since which time
| Barham has never seen his wife.
| ''Soon after the enforced marriage Ben
nett Barham, finding life irksome in New
Kent county, went to Kentucky, where he
had relatives. After an absence OF nearly
seven months he suddenly returned to New
Kent Court House about week or ten days
| ago on a visit to his parents. 1t is said that
he met his father-in-law, Ball, who warned
him never to cross his path. Mr.. Ball, who
lives about three miles below New Kent
Court House, on the Williamsburg road, is
reported to have threatened the life OF
young Barham on several occasions since
the latter's return. When these threats
reached the ears of Mr.. Thomas Barham,
the father of the young man, he resolved to
keep his son close at home in order to
avoid what might be a serious encounter.
Notwithstanding these peaceful and safe
precautions, the inevitable meeting took
place, with the disastrous and bloody
results above stated.
| On Tuesday last Bennett Barham, ac-
companied by his sbrother Tom, was out
driving in a Jumper They were coming
towards New Kent Court House at leis-
urely pace, and when at a point between
| the latter place and Slatersyille, at curve
| in the road, the brothers saw MI. Walter
Ball approaching. Hewas on horseback,
and, much to their surprise, rode past them
without saying word. They believed all
danger was over and were continuing
peacefully on their way, when Ball wheel
| ed his horse about, rode up behind them,
and, drawing his pistol, began firing. Tom
Barham sprang from the Jumper, leaving
his brother alone in the vehicle. Bennett
Barham Instantly drew his revolver, re-
turning the fire, and then began the fatal
duel between the father of Lula Ball on
the one side and the husband on the other.
Balls first shot entered Barhams right
thigh near the groin. Barham had cOOlly
drawn off his gloves and he bravely han
taking effect in Balls face near the mouth
and going, through; Balls second fire
lodged in Barham's left groin. Barham's
next lodged in Balls neck. This was two
for each, and the firing was rapid. Balls
third and fourth bullets lodged, respective
ly, in the thigh and shoulder of Barham,
Jumper Barham's last two shots sank
into Balls chest, when he felt from his
horse MORALLY wounded. HeeXpred in
few minutes. Young Barham was driven
home by his brother, and his wounds were
attended to by DR.. Slater. His condition
the tragic occurrence to the authorities up
on their arrival at the courthouse. Mr..
Balls body was taken home. He leaves
wife and four or five children, including
Lula, who was the unfortunate cause Of
the tragedy which has destroyed the hap
Barnams occupy the highest social position
in New Kent
PATHETIC LETTER.
The following is the letter from Miss
Lula Ball to her father, which brought |
about the enforced marriage.
MY Oaon Dear Pdpa: Il am in some ter |
rihle trouble, the cause of which I had |
rather die than tell you, but don't know |
what else to do. You know that Bennett |
but you do not know that he dishonored |
and betrayed me under promise OF mar
riage. l need not tell you how he swore |
that as his wife no one could ever say any, |
thing against me; that could trust him,
&c. see now how wrong it was, but i |
God that it should be my hand that deals
this blow to you! l think the chief sting
in all my misery is the thought of your
suffering,
Papa, my papa, never meant to do
wrong, L never thought of such a thing,
and God knows that, save for him, would
be as pure as an angel in Heaven. No
other man spoke disrespectful word to
me in my life. The day was fixed for our
marriage twice, once in March and the
other in June. When with me he was
always the same, but toward the last l
saw difference, and the last time l wrote
him he replied that he never intended to
marry me; that he was tired of such stuff.
His whole letter was full of insults and
vile ISLANDERS, He also refused utterly to
return my letters. ! suppose he keeps
them to show.
when l first read his letter l like to
have gone mad Twice I had the lauda-
mum to my lips; it was so much easier to |
die than to tell you this. But finally be.
came calmer, and then asked God to for
give me and to show me what was right for |
me to do, and He did help me.
Papa, want you to go to West Point
to-day. You had better go to the brick
ham; tell him you know all, make him
come with you to Richmond, and compel
him to marry me. You need not appeal to
mis- honor, for he has none, but you can
threaten him with arrest. The letter h,
wrote me last would OF itself send him t,
prison. He must marry me. Remember
my reputation is in his hands, at any mo
ment to be blasted by him. The train al
rives in Richmond at S:45 A, NJ. Come Oh
that. l know your first thought would b
% shoot him. but that would be utter ruin
to me, and you could punish him, and thu
make make III, him marry me. Besides, you hay.
for their bread. Think ef them.
God himself hath said Thou shalt no
kill, and that command holds good t,
day. He never intended that any morta
should avenge their own wrongs. Leav
that to Him; be sure he will repay. Avoi
al scene or fuss at West Point. Contro
yourself ad,+ No matter what he may say tt
him too we'll. You would be arrested flo
assault, and then he would give you the
slip. 60 to Mrs. Richardson's, his boarding
place, and wait there. First find out what
time the train leaves. Make him give you
my letters, and then make him come with
you. Never Jet him get out of your sight,
and don't land at the wharf. II he once
sees you he will leave. Papa, all my life
you have loved and cared for me-
The letter was not signed. The rest of it
begged her father not to commit violence,
etc, and gaye further instructions as t,
what he should do.
The latest reports from the tragedy say
that young Barham will recover, tn.
balls having been extracted and his condi-
ton being very favorable.