Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1901-12-13
THE TRAGEDY In
WESTMORELAND.
FACTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN
HERETOFORE TOLD.

AIive-Marx Turns up In New
York.
When Herbert Marx, the Young
man who shot and killed two men
and mortally wounded a third In
Westmoreland county Tuesday night
OF last week, left Fredericksburg
Thursday morning. He stopped in
Washington and did not go on to his
home in Brooklyn for several days.
NO REASON FOR LYNCHING.
There was some talk in Westmore-
land about lynching Byrd, the negro
who told the story that caused the
attack on Marx, but no effort was
made to carry it out, and all excite
ment has subsidized. This wasbecause
the statement of the negro was sub
stantiated by a gentleman who also
witnessed Marx kiss the child, as the
negro reported, and discovered him
taking further advantage of her.
These facts are kept very quiet but
a VIRGINIA CITIZEN representative
has lately been in that section of the
country and learned this, and more.
Miss Taylor is only about fourteen
years old.
MR.. STIFF TALKS.
j. @. Stiff, who is still alive, told
his brother in the hospital in Wash
Ington, where he has been in a criti-
cal condition since Wednesday, that
the only purpose of the party who
went to Marks house was to chastise
him. He believes still that Marx de-
served that punishment. 1t was their
purpose to make Marx confess to
certain misdoings in connection with
the girl, which had become local
gossip, to chastlse him and order him
out of the county. The public at
large, and the results, disagree with
Mr.. Stiff in believing that the proper
steps were taken.
PLANS MISCARRIED.
Mr.. Stiff maintains that the plans
were all right, but that they miscar-
ried. They naturally supposed there
was not one man in hundred but
who would throw up his hands
when covered with a Winchester.
To do this, and then to bind Marx
was their intent. There was no iu-
tention on their part to shoot, and
right here is where Marx had the ad-
vantage. Had they so desired they
could have easily killed him, but
while he was doing the shooting some
were trying to seize him, others TO
get away. The one who broke in the
window failed in bringing his rifle to
bear and in commanding Marx to
"hands up" until Marx had gotten to
the door. He easily slid out into the
dark hall where he had all the adj
vantage when he began to shoot. Stiff,
the older of the attacking party,
knew that the plan had miscarried,
and he attempted to break in the
back way with the hope of throwing
a bag over Marx aud prevent his
doing any injury. Marx, in the dark,
saw him, and second time took
deadly aim. After shooting Helm
and Stiff, Marx rushed out of the
house. Taylor was also fleeing
going one way around the circular
drive and the other the other way.
recognized an enemy and shot at
close range. Taylor did not know
but that the fleeing man was one of
his party; and even if he had there
was no intent on his part to shoot.
All OF Marks shots were made within
i've feet of his victims.
Notwithstanding the many varied
previous reports these are facts.
A PROMINENT BUSINESS MAN.
James Q. Stiff, the third victim,
is brother of Drs. L. w. and Jno.
L. Stiff, well-known in this section.
He is not aware of the fatal results
to his companions. Helm and Taylor,
aud believes he is the only one
badly injured. He is resigned to his
fate, feeling that his act was justifi-
able, and bears no ill-will towards
Marx other than for his treatment to
one of his county's maidens. He
has been told that lie cannot live.
He is unmarried and is one of the
most energetic young men of the
Northern Neck, controlling large
interests in both King George and
Westmoreland counties. The bullet
pierced the right side of his neck, |
'plit.the spinal cord and lodged in
The muscles of the back of the neck. |
It has been removed.
RAN TO A NEIaHBoR's.
After his fatal shots Marx sped to
the house of w. L. Guttridge. an
together they returned to the scene |
If bloodshed. On the way to Marks
home they found Taylor lying on the |
ground dead, but they FASTENED to
The other men, who were already in |
Marks house. Marx himself assist
ng the men he had a few moments
before felled.
A physician was summoned, but
t was decided to send the men to |
Washington. Marx hitched up his |
cam, and the wounded men, Stiff |
md HELM, were placed in 1T.
A RACE WITH DEATH.
Then came an exciting ride-a |
eai race with death. The party was
making for the steamer Harry Ran
lall, but thought it was too late to
;atch her.
Mir. Guttridge deci'led to ride
'head and attempt to stop the vessel,
which he succeeded in doing at
colonial Beach, and the men were