Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-15
MURDER or WALTER PLEAsANTs
A Former Residents Recollection of
the Great Tragedy of 1899.


To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
My old friend, G.. c. W.. in the Dispatch
of March lst, publishes an interesting ac-
count OF very sad murder in Richmond
in 1SS9-viz., that OF Walter Peasants, by
DR.. |. Vaughn. There are two mistakes
in his narrative which desire to correct:
l. The name OF the lady to whom Wal
ter Peasants was engaged was not Sin
clair" Her name was Charlotte Harris.
She was sister OF DR.. George w. Har-
ris. who died in Richmond, universally
respected a few years ago. One of her
sisters was the wife Of Robert Peasants,
OF Pleasant Green, ioochland, and the
mother of Judge Isaac Peasants, de-
ceased, OF Goochland. and of his dlstin-
guished brother (still living, Judge III.
Clay Peasants. OF Texas.
2. This lady did not lose her mind, and
did not die in a lunatic asylum. Her
health was greatly impaired by the
shock She was, during the few remain
ing years Of her beautiful life. an invalid.
From her diary, which was published in
the Central Presbyterian by Rev. DR..
William 5. White. it appears that under
the influence Of religion. she, after great
mental conflicts. became resigned TO her
loss and her situation. and that to avoid
choly and idle life she employed herself
in works of charity on her sick bed. such
as she could do with her needle, making
garments for the poor. and other handi-
work OF this kind for her friends. The
diary and the account given by DR..
White were exceedingly interesting, and
are well worthy OF republication. II a
copy could be obtained, but as the files
OF the Central Presbyterian were burned
in April, 1865. this might not be practi-
cable.
The amiable temper OF Walter Pleas
ants, and his high intellectual and moral
character, greatly intensified the sympa-
thy and Indignation of the people in
Richmond and Goochland, where he was
so well known. He was socially very at
tractive. and was refined and literary. At
the time that Vaughn entered his room
he was reading a volume Of English clas-
steal poetry
His father, Mr.. Tarlton Peasants, Of
Goochland, noted for his wit and fine
conversational powers. which made his
house one OF the most attractive I'm the
country. was a brother of Governor
James Peasants, who was the father OF
John Hampden and Hugh r. Peasants.
and grandfather OF his distinguished
family still living and as his friends de-
sire. yet to be spared to them many years,
MI Iltdodlt0s VI IkltHIlOHu.
Walter Peasants had one fun brother,
Edward Peasants. at one time teacher
In the Lancasterian School, as lately men
toned in the Dispatch. who married A
daughter OF Mr. Micaiah Bates. Mr.
Thomas Peasants. deceased OF White
Plains, east OF Richmond, and near Full
ton. was his half-brother
on the night succeeding the death OF
Walter Peasants his father was spend
mer home OF John Hampden Peasants
in Goochland. which was in the same
neighbO.hood where he resided He told
me that during the night he had horri-
Bile and distressing dream, which greatly
disturbed him. The next morning. before
he left his room. he saw some one ride
rapidly around the yard. who had come
TO bring the terrible tidings from Rich
mond. l felt that his dream had in some
way been verified.
At the time of this murder I was en-
ployed in the large wholesale grocery
store OF David Anderson. Jr., & Co, OBJ
posite the Columbian Hotel. l remember
well the excitement and the gloom OF the
occasion. The older clerk, Mr. r. II
Mosby. who usually slept In the store
being a friend of Walter Peasants. spent
the night with his remains IL devolved
upon me, then youth, to sleep in that
large store. OF several stories high. that
night alone / retain a vivid impression
OF the wakeful hours and terrible dreams
which made this fearful experience. in
which the scenes and incidents OF the
shocking tragedy were constantly repro-
duced by a nervous and excited magma
ton.
l knew Walter Peasants as a diligent
and gentlemanly older student al n
school In Hanover. where was younger
pupil. +. b. PRICE.
Buchanan Va