The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-03-04
g IS
VIRGINIA. NEWS.
letter froan WytheylrIe.

Yesterday large and attentive conpre-
gataon assembled at the Presbyterian
church in this place to witness the installa-
tion of Rev. j. D. Thomas as pastor Of the
church. The commission appointed bv
Abingdon Presbytery to discharge this
duty we're Rev. II. NJ. White and Rev. VIII
liam s. Lacy.
Much interest was manifested in the
ceremony not only by the members of tho
congregation, but by others ALSO Rev, II.
NJ. White preached the sermon from He.
brcws IL, 3di How shall we escnp ne, If We
neglect SO great salvation" Mr.. White
presided, propounded the constitutional
questions, and delivered the charge to the
pastor. Rev. W. s. Lacy then delivered
the charge to the people. After the bene-
d'ction was pronounced the officers and
members Of the church came forward and
gave Mr.. Thomas tho right-hand of fellow
ship and of hearty welcome.
Though the services were necessarily pro-
tracted the attention of the audience an
peared not to flag, and the warm greetings
given to the newly-installed pastor at the
close were evidences of the unfeigned ioy
the church felt in securing his services and
pastoral care.
The afternoon was most pleasantly and
proftably employed with the Sabbath school
children in addresses, singing, and prayer.
The little ones, and older ones, too, seemed
to be entertained, and heartily signifed
| their desire for the recurrence of such
scenes. ~
Services have been held during three
days, and the meeting closes tonight. Mr..
Thomas enters upon his work with much
promise of usefulness, and with many
prayers of Gods people.
A HEAVY SWINDLE.-A Bio GuN GOES
ORA man calling himself William Cam
non, and claiming to be from the District of
Columbia, has been figuring in our commu-
nifty for some months past as hamburger,
but, as it now turns out, huge swindler.
He spent at least a month in bargaining for
the farm of our townsman Mr.. William
Met. Montague, and finally agreed to take
it at $4,000, together with all the stock,
&C., thereon. He was put in possession
about q month since, and from his actions
led our people to believe that he was SUBJ
stantial farmer. On Sunday night how
ever, he left for parts unknown, and de-
veloped his true character, to the loss and
| INCONVENIENCE VI Suluc VI Jul 1Sl1cn VIA
zens. On the evening of that day he
borrowed of c. /. Pierce, ESQ, s175, and
of Mr.. J. X. Montague sum Of money,
depositing with each box of gold as
collateral security. He then took his
wife to the depot and started her to
Lynchburg, under the pretence that she was
going to sec her sister, who was sick in that
city, whilst he took across the country on q
horse he had bought conditionally, but
never paid for. On opening the boxes of
gold Monday morning, that left with MIR.
Pierce was found to contain two old bricks,
and the one with Mr.. Montague a couple Of
rocks from the farm. Counting the debts
he had contracted, this huge humhug has
taken the community for about $500 only.
lie pretended to have bought two or three
hundred cattle in Kentucky, aud was to
have started last night, in company with
two Of cur townsmen, after them. 1t is
thought the main part Of the swindlc is yet
to be developed, as no one can conceive Of
the idea that man would go to so much
trouble for go little profit. Parties have
gone III pursuit of the fugitive, but up to
the present writing he had not been cap
turcd. CdriStmnsjuy Messenger.