The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-01-18
THE DAILY DISP ATCH.
WEDNESDAY, MvkNlHo. IANuAkY %. lssa
VIRGINIA.

tthGtNfA-
Rxscokrnx. learn srom the Petersburg Ex.
press, that a rencontre occurred at Dinwi3die
H., on Monday, between Adam Wells and Ethel.
bert Brister which came near proving fatal TO the
brmer. difficulty existed between the parties,
end happening to meet on Monday, Brister cursed
Wells and ninnated that he would deal fouiIy with
him ne did not keep his distance. Wells inme-
diaseiy advanced towards his antagonist with a
large stick In his hand when the latter drew PTS
tol and fred, the ball passing through portion OF
Wells coat. but doing no further damage Brister
then retreated, but Wells pursued, overlook. and
beat him severely about the head with the stick he
held in his hand. They were taken before ma
sissrate aud required to enter into bonds to keep
the peace
ANOTHER FosoERY.-A genteel looking young
man, representing himself as Dr. R. X Williams,
OF Wilmington, N. c., was arraigned before the
Mayor OF Petersburg on Monday last, for forgery.
appears that the prisoner passed of two forged
cheques during the night of saiurdsy-both for the
amount of $l50-one drawn upon the Exchange
nanx, IN favor of F.. d. Hart, and signed NJ NJ. Mar
un d Domains; the other upon the Bank of Virsi-
MIA, signed sturdiyant Hurt & Co. He was arrest.
ed by officer Fem on Sunday evening, in the
southern cars. The Mayor remanded him to Jail
for further examination,
MINERAL AND GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS
The Lynchburg virginian speaking of the visit of
Mr.. Josiah Holbrook to South western Virginia for
the purpose of examining mineral deposits and ge-
illogical formations, and of instituins systems OF
exploration and study in different neiyhborhor-
hoods, ssys-"We are pleased to learn that his
plan has received the approval and encouragement
of many of our citizens and that he will probably
be enabled to carry fully the objects of his visit
to Virginia" Mr.. Holbrook's plan is this:
The hrst step is to enable individuals by label
led specimens collected in their respective yicini
nes, 10 recognise the minerals coming under their
observations
The second step is to provide repositories ia the
principal villages. for the use OF their citi-
xens, and Tor exchanges-also, for Indus.ri Ex-
hlbitions by Agricultural Societies and other as
sociations.
The third step in the proposed exploration is to
collect specimens to send to Richmond Washing
ton New York, &C., for Exchange Repositories
in those cities.
The fourth step is by the agency If Foreign Min
listers and other public functi0naries from abroad
He sends specimens to other countries by way of
exchange; thus promoting scientific and pacific re
ciprocations among all nations"
IRON WORKS STARTING The Frcdericksburg
Herald states that iron works which have been clio.
sed for several years. about to be re-opened in
consequence ofthe high price ofiron. The propri,
etors of these works, two or three in number.
were at Bowling Green, on Monday, hiring slave
labor.
TIE RALEIGH MuRDER.-The Greenbrier Era
is informed that Higginbotham, the creature who
poisoned his newly married wife, in Raleigh couu.
ty, iset large. He was fora few days held under
surveillance with the intention OF arrestiug him as
soon as sufficient evidence against him accrued to
warrant the act; but he "vanosed the rancho"
Misunderstanding the year 1858 there were
81 marriages in the county of Greenbrisr. The
greatest number took place in May and December,
while In June there were none. The Era regrets
to see go few marriages in white population OF
5000, and for the sake OF frightening bachelors into
state OF double blessednessholds up this buabear
The proportion of unmarried conyicts in the pen
itentiaries is 60 10 per cent" That may be
very true but is less certain that many of our
bachelor acquaintance would prefer confinement
in the penteLtiary for limited number of years
to 'transportion for life"-among them, if we mis-
take not, the editor ofthe Era
Gen. John Sloan has been elected by the Virgi-
mia Legislature Major General of the third division
Of militia.-Balt Sun.
The Sun must have got that item from very
old paper. Gen. Sloan, are sorry to say, is not
among the living.