Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-10-03
TRAGEDY AT FORESTVILLE
Prisoner Says He Fired Fatal Shot in
Self-Defense. >.
ENEMIES OF LONG STANDING
Coroner Conducts Inquest-Jury
Holds Defendant for Action
Of the Grand Jury.

=
OF Forestvi!le. Va. was shot and killed
by Joseph Trammell. twenty-one years OF
age. his brother-in-law. while in the din
ing room at the formers home yesterday
afternoon. The assailant surrendered
himself into custody.
An inquest was held last night by Jus
tees Of the Peace ]. n. .Follin and John
w. Anderson.
The jury rendered a verdict holding
Trammell for the action of the grand
jury. explaining that Peacock's death was
due to a gunshot wound the gun being
in the hands of Trammell.
Trammeil was taken to the Fairfax
county jail at : o'clock this morning By
Edgar Follin, son of Justice Of the Peace
FOlin. The trip to the Jail was made on
an electric railway car. When Trammell
was locked up Sheriff Allison OF Fairfax
county had a talk with him. He told
the officer he had shot Peacock in self
him about the house and out into the
yard He secured the gun, Trammell
added. for the purpose Of protecting him
self. Peacock again rushed at him and
he fired, Trammell declared. killing Pea
cock instantly.
Statement by Sheriff.
Sheriff Allison said today that Peacock
was arrested and fined in May. 1907. for
assaulting an officer at Great Falls. He
also said he was Of the opinion Trammell
would be acquitted if his story of the af-
fair Is true. 1t is expected Trammell will
secure bail this afternoon and will be re-
leased to await the action OF the grand
jury. which will meet the third Monday In
November.
The two men. who had not been on
good terms for long time. had been
drinking the early part Of the day and
again yesterday afternoon they imbibed
quantity of hard cider. 1t is stated
Trammell was at Peacock's house when
pute over the quality of horse owned
by Peacock.
Peacock is said to have threatened
Trammell, whereupon the latter procured
a shotgun and told his brother-in-law
not to come near him or he would shoot.
in a threatening manner, and Trammell.
the younger of the two, placed the gun
to his shoulder and fired both barrels.
the shots taking effect in Peacock S
breast. He sank to the floor and. with an
agonizing shrek. fell over dead.
Wife Witnesses Shooting.
The shooting was witnessed by Mrs
Peacock and Jesse Trammell brother OF
the slayer. who boarded in the house
Outside of the dining-room where the
shooting occurred Peacocks five small
children were playing. On hearing the
shots they rushed into the house, finding
their father lying in pool Of blood near
the dining table.
Mrs. Peacock almost collapsed following
the shooting. She was in nervous state
as a result of the death of one of her
brothers, who was buried yesterday. She
was today unable to account for the trag-
edy. She said it happened soon after the
Of her brother.
The two men had been drinking hard
cider. she said. and bad often quarreied.
but she had hoped the little discussions
would never terminate seriously.
d. G. Cornwell and S. w. Follin. who
reside near the Peacock house, were at
tracted by the shots and hurried to the
house. AS they neared the entrance
Trammell appeared in the doorway. JUS
tice Of the Peace Follin appeared. and to
him Trammell surrendered. DR.. Alfred
Leigh of Colvin Run. Va. and DIR. Il.
Russell of Herndon were summoned. but
to no purpose.
Enemies Since Last Spring.
Peacock and Trammell, 1t is said, had
been enemies since last spring. when they
had a quarrel. which resulted in Peacock
threatening to kill Trammell. A number
of citizens of the place declared Peacock
had stated on several occasions that he
was going to get even with Trammell
Peacock, who was thirty-five years of
age and had resided in the vicinity OF
Forestville all his life. was employed as
manager of a lumber mill owned by Sigel
Brown of 400 4th street northwest, this
city. Trammell was employed by the
same firm to haul ties.