The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-24
TRAGEDY
IN BEDFORD.
Shawnee Arthur Dead: W. I.
Clengenpeel May Die.
CAUSE OF THE QUARREL
Clengenpeel, on the Bond Of Arthur, 4
Distiller Who Was Charged With
Certain Irregularities, Wished to
Attach Land as Security.
Especial to Tho Times-Dispatch.)


BEDFORD CITY, VA, April 23-Au
awful tragedy was enacted near Gillespie,
In this county, yesterday afternoon and
as a result. w. T.. Clengenpeel lies al
the point OF death with his head nearly
severed from his body and two bullet
wounds In his back, while Shawnee Ar
thur is dead, his side shot away and his
head nearly blown Off by the cross fire
of two slot-guns. Mr. Clengenpee Is
one of the most respected farmers in tho
county Confederate soldier about six
ty years Of age, and a man small In
stature. Arthur was dlstiller, a giant
in size, and was feared by all his neigh
bors.
1t seems that Mr.. Ciengenpeel was on
Arthur's bond. and being liable to the
judgment for alleged Irregularities by Ar
thur was endeaYorlng to attach some OF
his land as security. This Is the reason
assigned for the III Will that led to tho
shooting. Yesterday afternoon Arthur
went to Clengenpcel's house and was nat
by the wife. Entering, he used vlolen,
language, when asking for her husband
and then began firing from the pistol
he carried. sending three shots at tlta
terrified lady as she ran screaming
through the house.
Hearing the shooting and the screams,
Mr.. Clcngenpee rushed to the house
and was met by Arthur, pistol In hand.
He attempted to retreat when Arthur
fired two balls, both taking effect, ono
in the small OF the back toNthe right
of the spine: the second In the right shoul-
der The pistol was cmptied. but Ar
thur rushed upon the old man. and. as
he raised his hand begging for mercy.
slashed his forearm from the elbow down
across tho hand. nearly sevcrlng tho
H.. 1. IL ..i.I H.
money in the house, and. taking the old
man to the bureau, possessed himself
Of about $40. 44e also reloaded his pls-
toll. Arthur then demanded that Cleng-
enpccl take him TO neighbours house
against whom he had a grudge. Tho old
man fell exhausted in the yard. but
Arthur Jumped on his body and with
from the body. He stuck his knife be.
hind the head at the spine and drew y
through the flesh to the 1ugulnr vein. III
made two such lungcs on both sides
cutting all the exterior muscles. n
at this point. Clifton Franklin. Clcng
enpeels son-lntlaw, arrived from the
field, nearly mile off. where Mrs. Clengi
cnpcel had run for aid. He seized hi
shotgun and shot Arthur In the side.
and then gave his attention to the wound
cd man. Arthur lay apparently dead.
Just after Frankllns arrival. Preston
Lcftwich and his son, Jerry. who were
passing along the road, came up to tho
house. and. seeing the trouble ran for
their guns. about half n mile off. When
| they returned Arthur raised UP, an
pointing his pistol at them, defied then
| Father ard son shot simultaneously. th
! cross fire tearing the face and head In,
! fragments. 30 that the brains ran OF
| out the ground
Mr.. James Moon, a travelling man fro,
| Lynchburg. who was In the neighborhoo,
arrived hero late last night. and DR.. :.
| Rucker fastened to the scene buttdE
not return with the authentic details intn
| late this afternoon. He states there IS a
possible chance OF Mr.. Clengcnpeel'are
covery. All the neighborhood is Ipch
excited.