Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-06-12
ROMATIC STORY.

I
May, at Louisa, two weeks ago by
young r. L. c. Barrett involves three
prominent Virginia families in an affair
which is full of interest, and, according
to those best acquainted with the facts
whicn led up to the shooting, has rot
reached its most serious stage. The
case will come up before a special
grand jury in Louisa County court
today.
The facts are difficult to obtain, as
every one in the vicinity is closely con-
nected with the parties, and will not
talk, but such as are known are of the
most romantic character, and wide
spread interest has been created by the
affair. Young Barrett is charged with
maliciously shooting and wounding Mr..
May, member of Louisa bar. The
! latter has fine practice. He is a son
of prominent Baptist preacher, and
principal of Oakland Academy, in
Louisa. Both sides have employed a
number of able lawyers, and the pro-
secution will be bitter.
Mr.. Mays pretty young wife, who
was the cause of the shooting, is the
daughter of Rev. Landon a, Cutler,
| formerly pastor of Marshall street
Christian Church, Richmond, and lately
prohibition candidate for governor.
Barrett is very handsome young fol-
low, nineteen years old, and son of
DIR. r. L. Barrett, the most prominent
physician of all that section, now seven
| ty years OF age. His mother was
a Miss Keene, of distinguished sud
wealthy family 10 the far South.
Young Barrett and Miss lone Cutler
were lovers. The people of the town
smiled when they saw them, and said
it would be match.
Barrett was sent 10 college at Suwa-
nee, Tenn, and in his absence young
May came to Louisa to practice law,
fell in love with lone Cutler, and she
married him when she was yet In her
teens, and they now have little child.
Six months ago Barrett returned
home With the highest honors OF his
! college. A wealthy relative at the
North, proud of his achievement, otter
ed to send him to any university IN The
| North he might choose, and before the
fight he intended to go to Columbia.
Barrett's father being near neigh
Dor of the Mays, the young man nat.
| urally fell into the habit OF visiting at
the home of his old sweetheart. Msy
became Jealous and forbade him the
house. The two met two weeks ago IN
Mav's office, and fight ensue /, 10
which Barrett was worsted. There
were no eye-witnesses to the contest.
| They were seen together chatting am
icablv on the street the same afternoon.
Those who had observed them thought
their troubles had been settled, and
thev probably had been. Barrett,s
father had tried to make his son tell
him what was the exact cause OF the
trouble, but the young man Kept MS
lips sealed. He then went to May ana
niesded with May to tell him what led
no to the fight with his son, and May
also declined to crafty him. DIR. Bar
rett lost mis- temper and used language
tn Nav that he resented. The old gen
! tleman and May picked up chairs from
the sidewalk and made for each other.
At this point young Barret rushed
across the street and when within nj
teen feet of May shot him. 1t is claim
ed bv the defense that by doing so he
saved his fatber's:life.
The commonwealth will aim to show
that Barrett provoked the fight ln may. .
office. that May showed every disposi
tion to avoid trouble with Dr. Barrett,
and that the fact that young barrett
was armed proved that he was expect
ing serious trouble.
The ball entered Mr.. Mays right
side It cut hole through a plug OF
tobacco, a wad of election ticHe's,
struck his seventh rib, and glaoceo OIL
| It hes been probed for, but has never
been found. Mays life hung py
slender thread for several days, ana ne
ia not entirely out of danger now. ms
| u;fe has been almost constantly WIN
him Being the Innocent cause OF the
,ronhle. she is naturally very much dls-
fresed. .ohan
Barrett, after mis- arrest, was taRen
| before Mayor Bibb. The point was
raised that the mayor was not legally
in Office. not having subscribed to the
anti-duelling oath. He sustained 1t, ue'
ciined to hear the case, and vacated mis-
office A magistrate was sent TOR, ana
onorrnled the point that ne was not
qualified to sit in the case. Barrett
4rIo;ved examination. and was sent Oh
to the grand jury. -, 10, +
Neither May nor Barrett mas lou
ba known what led uD to the ngnt.