Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

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A Crime of Passion… A Devastating Loss…

Spotsylvania Court House National Historic District

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 18, 2020

1. A Crime of Passion... A Devastating Loss... Marker

Inscription.

A Crime of Passion… A Devastating Loss…. Spotsylvania Court House National Historic District. , In 1924, tragedy stuck the Powell family. Peter Powell's brother, Dr. Robert Powell was shot to death by his neighbor, Charles Kendall, who was arrested and charged with with first degree murder. During the trial, it was revealed that Kendall's sister had become pregnant and she consulted Dr. Powell regarding her options. He prescribed medication to induce abortion that did not work, so he then suggested a location in Tennessee he could send her to "get rid of it." She decided against his advice and had the baby. Adding to the controversy, Dr. Powell had allegedly made improper advances toward two other Kendall sisters. As if these factors were not sufficient enough to raise Kendall's anger, Dr. Powell and Kendall had allegedly been fighting over a woman., Three days before the shooting, Dr. Poell beat Kendal senseless in the store where the woman was working. Armed with his pistol three days later, Kendall shot Dr. Powell numerous times as he attempted to flee. Kendall claimed self defense (and still bore the marks of Dr. Powell's beating), after he confronted him about making advances toward two sisters, and attempting to induce abortion on another. He said Dr. Powell cussed at him and advanced upon him and he was afraid he would retrieve his own gun. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty., Arson!. On July 13, 1930, the Powells' house, known as Courtland burned to the ground. The Powells' were convinced it was an act of arson and released the reward and photo shown to the right. No one was ever apprehended for arson, and Samuel and Dorothy Powell moved to 307 Lewis Street in Fredericksburg, where they continued their law practice., [Captions:] , Dr. Powell, brother of Commonwealth Attorney Samuel Powell was killed by Charles Kendall. Kendall was aquitted of the charge of murder. Image Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan., To the left, and bottom left are photos showing the remnants of Courtland after the fire., The 1920's photo below shows what Courtland looked like prior to the fire. The Powells' received $3,000 from their insurance company for the loss.

In 1924, tragedy stuck the Powell family. Peter Powell's brother, Dr. Robert Powell was shot to death by his neighbor, Charles Kendall, who was arrested and charged with with first degree murder. During the trial, it was revealed that Kendall's sister had become pregnant and she consulted Dr. Powell regarding her options. He prescribed medication to induce abortion that did not work, so he then suggested a location in Tennessee he could send her to "get rid of it." She decided against his advice and had the baby. Adding to the controversy, Dr. Powell had allegedly made improper advances toward two other Kendall sisters. As if these factors were not sufficient enough to raise Kendall's anger, Dr. Powell and Kendall had allegedly been fighting over a woman.

Three days before the shooting, Dr. Poell beat Kendal senseless in the store where the woman was working. Armed with his pistol three days later, Kendall shot Dr. Powell numerous times as he attempted to flee. Kendall claimed self defense (and still bore the marks of Dr. Powell's beating), after he confronted him about making advances toward two sisters, and attempting to induce abortion on another. He said Dr. Powell cussed at him and advanced upon him and he was afraid he would retrieve his own gun. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.

Arson! On

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July 13, 1930, the Powells' house, known as Courtland burned to the ground. The Powells' were convinced it was an act of arson and released the reward and photo shown to the right. No one was ever apprehended for arson, and Samuel and Dorothy Powell moved to 307 Lewis Street in Fredericksburg, where they continued their law practice.

[Captions:]
Dr. Powell, brother of Commonwealth Attorney Samuel Powell was killed by Charles Kendall. Kendall was aquitted of the charge of murder. Image Courtesy of Patrick Sullivan.

To the left, and bottom left are photos showing the remnants of Courtland after the fire.

The 1920's photo below shows what Courtland looked like prior to the fire. The Powells' received $3,000 from their insurance company for the loss.

Erected by Spotsylvania County Museum, County of Spotsylvania, Virginia.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Law Enforcement • Science & Medicine. In addition, it is included in the Virginia, Spotsylvania County Museum series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 13, 1930.

Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 12.108′

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 18, 2020

2. A Crime of Passion... A Devastating Loss... Marker

N, 77° 35.323′ W. Marker was in Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. It was on Courthouse Road (Virginia Route 208) 0.1 miles north of Brock Road (County Road 613), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 9107 Courthouse Rd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker was in the Washington Metropolitan Area,

in Northern Virginia,

and in the Piedmont.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: In His Father's Footsteps (here, next to this marker); A Place Called "Courtland" (a few steps from this marker); Spotsylvania Court House (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Spotsylvania Court House (a few steps from this marker); The House To Be Of Brick (within shouting distance of this marker); Spotsylvania County Honor Roll (within shouting distance of this marker); Battle of Spotsylvania (within shouting distance of this marker); Across the Years & $6,700 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Additional commentary.
1. Spelling from the marker
The non-possessive use of Powells' has been used verbatim from the marker.

— Submitted April 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Additional keywords.

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arson, abortion, court cases

Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 765 times since then and 20 times this year. Last updated on February 20, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 18, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.