The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-12
RECALLS A
TR ACE[)Y
Three We're Killed In Walker
MlllerAffairat BroWnsburg.
IAN EXCITING EPISODE.
Story Of the Causes Which Led to This
Terrible Outburst Of Passion and
Revenge The Trial Whlch.Fo
lowed II exington.
fgpec1ala to The Times-Dis patch.)

l35, fspecal$ to The Times D ispatch.)
LEXINGTON, VA, April o,-rhe death
of Mrs. q. B. Miller at her home. Eel
levi 81 on Hays Creek, Rockbridge
county, recalls an appalling tragedy,
which occurred friday afternoon. No.
tvembes 9Th, 1850, at magistrates trial rial
In the quiet village Of Brownsburg, four
teen miles north Of Lexington. inswhich
her husband. Henry Miller, Mrs. Bette
B. Walker and husband, Dr. z. j. Walk Liz.
81, were murdered. and other seriously
injured 4 5:s,;
Several days before the tragedy Mrs.
Walker told her husband that she had
been nsulted BY Henry Miller, while ct
her house short time previous trans
acting some business matter pertaining
to Dr. Walkers affairs
Knowing the hlgh-strung temper OF her
husband, d Mrs. Walker for some days
refrained from telling her husband. un Y
til, unable longer to control her indignant
feelings, she discosed to her husband
the insult. High-toned, proud. loving.
his wife with a. deep devotion, which,
affection she reciprocated to the fullest
the story told Dr.. Walker aroused him
to uncomfortable frenzy. Armed with
pistol and gun the injured husband
started out to find Miller and avenge his
wrongs. He made no concealm ant Ct his l1!
object, but openly declared that only
the death OF the man who had injured
him would satisfy his wounded honor.
Miller heard Of Walkers threats. and ne
and his four stalwart sons armed hem.
selves that they might be prepared for
self defense.
5a Steps were taken a few days after
ward by the Millers to have Dr. w alker3
bound os er to keep the peace. DIV ak.
Ser heard Of this and declared that U ne
would shoot any one who attempted his
arrest. He later changed his mind, ana
insisted that he be arrested and tried.
He sent a note to- Justice E. B.. Bos-s
worth By his wife to that effect. Justcc
Bosworth issued the warrant the time
OF the trial was fixed for Friday, No
vember 9Th. and friends Of both parties
hoped for an amicable settlement-of the
trouble The trial took place In the
old Academy building In tho presence
OF number OF spectat tors. $Ft H85
Henry Miller. who lived q few miles
distant, arrived shortly after 2 Ii o clock,
accompanied by his four sons. James f.
David, William and George Miller. and
several white and colored laboring hands.
Tt was soon observed thai the party had
armed themselves before leaving home
and two shotguns. a rife and a number
OF pistols and knives constituted the
s"ar1ns.'' Before entering the Academy
the Miller crowd was ordered by the con-
stable to leave their arms outside. and
this they apparently did, One OF their.
friends took charge of the weapons.
Dr. Walker at his homo. a short dis,
lance from the AGA denny, was searched
and apparently was unarmed. He said
to q friend at home II want to slap that
dirty dog In the mouth with this poor
crippled left hand. and I want my friends
to see that am not murdered by that
band OF ruffians." Dr.. Walker then
got In his buggy with his wife and drove
to the Academy
5l At the opening OF the trial the Justice
asked Dr.. Walker II he desired the Mil
5lers searched, to which he replied, no.
Henry Miller was first called.SDr. Walker
sitting In front OF him and distant about
seven feet. Walker admitted III threaten
Ing kIller's life The just ice's decision
was that Walker should be bound over
to keep the peace In the bond Of $500.
He said he would not give bond, Tho
Justice told him that he2sWould have to
go to Jail then. Walker; replied that no
would rather be a prisoner in jail than a
prisoner in his own house and himself
the jailer. Fl
During this colloquy5 Or. Walker had
risen to his feet Raising his left hand
he spoke and referred briefly and feel-5
lngly to the fact that for thirty years
he had been physician In that com-
mun!ty. Continuing. ne said: a"Gentle-
mon and friends, allow me the privilege
OF slapping in the mouth with this Grip
pied hand OF mine the man who tnsulted
my wife" "You cannot do that here
said the justice. '.But will" was the
reply. With left hand upl!fted he took
one step towards Miller, and with his
right hand he drew from his hip pocket