The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1855-07-27

NORFOLK, july 20, 1898.
Ibave been unable to advise you by tele
graph of the ravages of the yellow fever il
Gospnrt. because the miserable line between
Portsmouth aud Petersburg was down or ou
uf order, rs usual. / suppose by this timt
the Portsmouth papers have given you the
particulars BY the by, if some enterprisins
association of gentlemen would purchase
this line, they would fiud profitable invest
ment for $40 900 or $4,000. II works oil
enough when in good order. The Offices in
Portsmouth and Petersburg have excellent
operators in them-but it is very seldom il
that condition.
Business of every description is dull; and
now that the yellow fever has broken out On
the opposite side, and is likely to become an
endemic, trade, it is feared, will become
completely stagnated. Various reports, most
ly exaggerated, are flying around in regard
to it. A. far as / can learn, there have been
about eight deaths and sixteen cases; il
was brought to Gosport in steamship called
thu Ben Franklin, which arrived from 81
Thomas; and, although the health officers
from both towns boarded her, she was allowed
through some oversight, to come up and go
to Gosport, and a party of Irshmen who
worked on board contracted the disease,
which was its first appearance there. Great
excitement prevails on that side of the river,
and all communication between the navy
yard (msin gate) has been cut off The Gus.
port bridge has been partly torn down to
prevent persons from crossing.
1t was rumored yesterday that two deaths
had occurred here, but | think it was untrue.
Our street inspector seems very energetic in
keeping the city cleansed, and if our citizens
generally second his endeavors, i think there
is but little cause for alarm. 1t is stated that
left for home, but | cannot vouch for its cor
rectness.
The trial of Decker and Goslne, for the
murder of John Murphy, takes place to day.
They will be tried separately; and various
opinions are entertained in regard to their
being either set free or convicted. Decker
will be tried first, who, it is thought, is the
most deeply implicated in this horrible trag-
edy. The counsel for the prisoners are the
ablest in the city, land are Hon. John Mill
son, Tazewell Taylor, Esq; P. P. Mayo for
the Commonwealth.
The hotels of the Willard's at Old Point
are filled with pleasure seekers and invalids,
and Chesapeake Hall. kept by DIR. Banks, is
also well filled. Richmond has fair share
of guests at both places, and amongst those
located at the former, might mention Jas
Lyons, Esq Robert A Mayo, and family,
William White, and family, all of Richmond,
and number of others.
Ex President Tyler has left Old Point, for
his home at Sherwood Forest, and Chief JUS
tice Taney, is at present occupying his cot
tage.
Mayor Woods and the Council being at
logger heads, about the appointment of
Watchmen, we have no regular department
in that branch of the city government, and
in lieu, His Ho1or appoints daily volunteer
watch or patrole, composed of citizens of
our city-and there are many here so much
pleased with it, that when they cannot serve
as volunteers they act on the opposite side,
and instead of caging, get Gagged as in the
case of one of my acquaintances who was
locked up on Saturday night, having acted
as patrole himself the night previous.
Next week am going to see friend VIII
lard and Banks, from which places | will
write. Yours, Sol.