This is

a story contains adult content and language.

Listener discretion is advised. If a wittler said,

if a wittcher said he was going to pay your money, you don't need a contract.

But if he says he's going to shoot you, get out of town.

Victoria Smith and

James Clement had always been in an awful marriage that was poisoned by emotional abuse and accusations of infidelity.

Neither parent wanted the other to raise their infant daughter,

Lila Maud.

And when Victoria demanded a divorce from James,

it initiated a custody battle that pitted two families against each other,

two prominent families that were once close.

Just when it seemed like the story couldn't get any worse, it did.

Depositions were scheduled for September of 1859 in Sandy level Virginia to hear stories from family members and witnesses.

This meeting would be tainted by bitterness and malice.

It was assumed that everyone would come brandishing weapons, some on their hips, others

under their jackets.

Who knows how many guns and knives were there?

And Lila Maud's great-granddaughter, Vicky Borden, says it seemed destined to end in

misery for both families. So it was just a tragedy.

It was terrible.

And it was a horrible thing for that part of Virginia

...