The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-09-25
LOCAL MATTERS.

Nayror Escape -Thomas Johnson az yYar,;co
came very near losing his life last Tuasdav wh;is,
eng 70 shooting Sora on one of the James riy-
his gun became SO bot to make il rlnn1ess.nt -
handle but anticipating no danger he was ,,o,,; -
powder from his fa k into one Of the barrsls shas
an explosion took place-probabiy caused bv an
powder coming IN contact with piece of burning
paper which had been used for waddinr-hurst;-ss
the flask into myriads of atoms burning hfs bana
severely, and scorching his hair and face h.
men cannot be too careful, when on shooting o..
cursions, how they load their pieces
The James Rirer Improvement Under the direc.;on
OF Mr. McCance is progressing rapidly "a all the
circumstances will permit, and when completed
Will prove of ncalcuable value to the shipping in
terests of the city. Let the channel be once wide
ened and deepened sufficiently to admit large size
vessels to come TO and depart from our port and
the mercantile interests will be vastly increased
whilst Richmond itself will be enriched. We need
and must have an outlet for the vast amount of west
ern freight that win be poured in upon us by the
completion of the great railroad lines now reaching
their arms in the direction of the Ohio river and
as water carriage Is vastly cheaper than any other
can be, we should not hesitate moment to press
James river into service and make that the great
highway to the Atlantic coast. If Richmond eau
get no aid from the Gene raj Government by which
to remove all distractions to her greatness and
prosperity, she should lay hold of the enterprise
singiy and alone, and from her own resources put
men and property holders of the city cannot fail
to see the Importance of the improvement now be-
ing made, and though to complete it may cost them
one or two hundred thousand dollars, they should
Tlihngiy expend that amount andconsider the ia
Vestment well made. A community, to become
great and prosperous, must rely upon it's own
trengsh Iaid is offered from others it should
hot be rejected but because others withhold their
ald the one in need should not give up in despair
perseverance, will accomplish much if properly Ill.
hay foH = %ba ;-t,x
track, we trust she may never look back until she
mas opened deep channel to the Atlantic ocean
Complimentary Benefit to Mrs Dapemport.-Those
OF our readers who have had the pleasure of en-
JoyiDg the rare dramatic feasts set forth at the
theatre for the past two weeks will doubtless be
more than gratfed to learn that they are to have
the opportunity, this evening, OF eviueine their
nigh appreciation of the presiding genius, Mrs.
Lizzie Weston Davenport, by attending her bene-
fit, and helping to swell the vast concourse that
should assemble on that occasion Many warm
friends OF the drama. on learning that the engage
ment OF this lady was drawing to close have
rendered her complimentary benefit which she
has accepted-and to make the evening pass most
pleasantly, has selected that rich and humorous
play, The Heir at Law as the first piece in the
programme Need we make any appeal to pIay
goers, ladies and gentlemen, to induce them to
turn outs Need we recall the rare displays of his
trionic talent made by this gifted lady, on the
boards of the 'Marshall' to ensure her a crowded
house! SHrely, nothing of the sort can be neces-
ssary, for our readers have always been too ready
to do Justice to the talents of q lady when oppor
tunity has been afforded them of doing So But
in addition to the inducements held out by the an
nouncement of MIR. and Nrs. Davenport's names
another is offered in the person of that wonderful
comedian Mr. Jefferson, who sustains a fayorite
character and who will succeed in coavulsing his
audience in laughter before the entertainment clio.
ses. The ladies, we are sure, will bear this eve.
ming in mind and remembering that it NAV be
their last opportunity OF seeing Mrs. D. in s.,The
Heir at Law" let her see by their sparkling eyes
and pleasant smiles from the dress circle that they
properly appreciate her high order of talent and
are ever ready to encourage those of their OWE
sex who have given unmistakeable proof of de.
serving it. For particulars we refer to the bills
and again urge play goers to turn out en- masse,
and pack the old Marshall with an intelligent ar.
dience.
Sturgeon Fishing is profitable business to
those who now follow it In James River. A fisher.
man who lives about twenty miles below Rich
mond, informed u.s. a few days since, that he was
now catching from two to eight of these monsters
with drift seine every day, with the assistance of
one person, and that they netted him over 50
each He said he only fished few hours on each
tide, and employed the remainder of his time at
other labor. Most of the sturgeon caught within
thirty miles of this city, are sent to our marke cts
but not few of them are salted and packed away
for family use
Fillmore Meeting. Notwithstanding the incle-
mency of the weather last Tuesday night large
audience assembled at the African Church, to lis
ten to an address from Judge EDWARD BATES, of
Missouri, an old line Wing, in behalf of the claims
OF Fillmore and DonelSon on the people of the
Union for the high positions to which they have
been nominated. The Judge made calm logical
argumentatiye speech, in which he reviewed all
the political topics now agitatng the country, aad
closed about half past II O'Clock, by warm ap-
peal for the preservation of the Constitution and
the Union.
Hon. John N. Bolts next called upon and
responded briefly. Most of the time occupied by
him was in reply to the remarks made before the
Democratic Association last Saturday by Gov
Wise and Ro. G.. Scott, Esq He defended himself
from the charge of traitor and abolitionism, with
warmth, and defended the Constitution and the
Union. He was continuously interrupted by ap-
piause.
Sora were abundant il the markets yesterday
and selling very low. The late storm caused high
tides to overflow the marshes, and enable tn ose
no hunt these delicious birds to kill great numbers
OF them.
BIoodcd Stock AT the next Agricultural Fair in
this city, an unusually large number of blooded
colts will be exhibited, some OF which are now
looking fine as the warmest admirer of the horse
could wish to The revival of racing in Virgil
MIA mas started our farmers to rearing biooded
stock for sale, and from present indications, will
soon enable us to exhibit the finest horses il the
Union.
Poalry.-In the country adjacent to this city
great altention has been paid of late to the im-
proyement OF poultry, and caused the introduction
OF useful well fancy breeds on large scale.
From the dwartish bantam to the lofty shanghai,
constant experiments have been made IN cross
breeding, until some of our farmers think they
have secured a race just suited to the balm yard
and the table. We expect TO see variety OF aoe
specimens at the approaching fair, and among them
some rare and valuable poultry.
Making Hay must be profitable business to our
farmers and therefore astonishing that SO few
OF them get up their swamp lands and turn it into
meadows Unlike the corn crop, the hay requires
but little labor TO prepare it for market, ana as II
may be produced in abundance from waste lands,
now ovcrrun with bambcos and briars, it is a mat
ter of astonshment that little attention is paid
to that money making crop.
Rob6ery.--Robert Wells and Jupiter, two slaves
in the service of John d. Quarles, were examined
before the Mayor yesterday morning, on the charge
of assaulting, beating, and robbing Joe, slave TO
A. Thomas, on Saturday night last, and remanded
to jail for trial by the next Hastings Court, for
felony.
Eargtary.-Werter slave to Mrs. Ann Harold;
John Hicks, slave to Philip B. Jones; and George,
slave to BurweH Jones, were further examined
before the Mayor yesterday, for breaking into and
robbiDg the store OF Sampson Jones last Saturday
night and sent on to the next term of the Hustngs
Court for felony The evidence points to John
and Werter as the prime operators and IN a eorce