Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-07-10
Important Lawsuit.

case OF the term IS the suit OF the Orange ana
Alexandria railroad company against the Win
chester and Potomac for the value Of 1000
tons of rail taken from the Manassas road in
1864 by the military authorities OF the Federal
government and placed upon the track OF the
Winchester and Potomac road. After the
war, as | learn from the evidence adduced
at the trial, the Government having no
further use for the road, made al order to
transfer it with the rest Of the roads of the
State in their possession, to the Board OF Pub
lie Works, to be by them delivered to their le;,
Ultimate owners 1t is claimed by the counsel
Of the Orange road, into which the Manassas
has been merged, that the Board of Public
Works, recognizing the Justice Of their claim
for the iron, had appointed Edward G.
Marshall, esq, the then president OF the
Manassas road, their agent to take charge OF
the Winchester road, with permission to take
ND and return the rails to their native bed.
Learning, at this stage Of the proceedings, the
danger that threatened them, the Winchester
company called to their aid MIR. John ". Car
rett, whose influence with Secretary Stanton
was sufficient to secure revocation OF the ORDER
upon the ground that as the Winchester road
was partly in Jefferson county, W. Va, 1t
would be improper to deliver the road to the
Board of Public Works of Virginia. The de-
fence claim that the rails were Il Legitimate
capture by the Federal authorities, and having
been removed from the bed Of the Manassas
road, that company was Invested OF any prop
crtv in them: and having atterward been at
tached to their freehold and delivered over to
them. it became ipso tacto their property.
The plaintiff. on the other hand, asserts that
the rails were taken only for Il tenlpora-
~ use, and when abandoned they should
be restored to their original ownerS-at
least equity would require that the Orange
and Manassas Company be paid their value.
| In support Of this they assert that the
government had no idea Of cnriching one rebel,
at the expense OF another, and expressly
refused to determine the right of property be
tween the itigants, but upon application ofthc
Winchester company for the delivery, OF the
road and a guarantee OF title to the rails, reier
red them to the courts Of the State to deter
mine the equity between them. This, rs I'M
derstood it, was the real question at Is
sue. Of course many wise legal questions
were involved, such as the right OF conilsca'
| ton, etc. The amount involved Csomc one
hundred and fifty thousand dollars induced the
| employment of the abcst counsel. Judge w.
J. Robinson, j. Randolph Tucker and Col;
George ". Brent appeared Tor the Orange and
Manassas company, whilst +. ! Conrad, Andrew
Hunter Judge Parker and james ii. Williams
| represented the defend ant. Col, Brent opened
| for the plaintiff in a clear and able statement
ofthe case and eoquently advocated the cause
| ofhis client. He was followed by Mr.. Williams.
who well sustained his reputation as lawyer OF
high order of ability Then tollowedon the same
side Judge Parker in 4 close, f0rciblc argu-
ment Ran. Tucker, with his genial smile and
mirth- provoking humor, came next, and made
one Of his best speeches Andrew Hunter and
Robert Y. Conrad followed Mr.. Tucker, Mr..
Conrad closing for the defense. The amount
| involved, the interest manifested by a large
audience with the talent arrayed against them,
| stimulated these old veterans to their best
efforts. and we'll they sustained their rcputa-
tions. Judge Robinson followed in al impress
siye clear logical and profound, argument
He spoke five hours on Monday, when, over
come with exhaustion, he gave way and con-
Guided his argument to-day The Judge has
taken the case under advscment, and will rem
der his decision at the Fall term.
WASHINGTON ITEMs.-Bowcn the bigamiSt,
has been pardoncd by the President and re-
leased from prison. y most improper cxer-
else Of executive clemency.
The Washington Medical Society on Satur-
day expelled DR.. Bliss from It's membership for
consulting with DR.. Cox, who had been refused
admission to the Society. The question OF
permitting members to consult with colored
physicians was postponed until October.
The Washington Patriot says -'Ien thouS-
and workmen will soon be needed by the pro
prietors of the Seneca stone quarry. All APP
plications will be presented to the Board OF
Public Works." Ten thousand is 4 very large
number
Minister Thornton, together with other
members of the British legation, are attend
ants at base ball matches played here, and mani
fest great interest in the games
\ number of Washington people will leave
during this and the coming week Tor the lIr-
einia springs, especially the White Sulphur.
w. W. Corcoran has so far recovered from
his recent illness as to be able tobc about again.
Mr.. Michael Fl. Grimes one Of the oldest
members of the fraternity OF Odd Fellows, died
at his residence, on Friday night. He was Il
member of various organizations.
On Saturday morning disturbance occurred
in Rodicr's restaurant, in Georgetown, between
Captain Dowdy of the steamer Hercules, and
John G. McGowan in which the latter used
knife on the former intlicting one stab III
his side and another on his leg
Preparations are being made for the exodus
of the Methodist churches here to their camp
meeting grounds at Jackson's woods. The
camp viii be opened on the ID OF August, and
about lorty-fyc large tents will 90 from this
CITY, which number will be augmented
by family and individual tents. The Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company will issue round
trip tickets to Annapolis Junction for 50 cents
and the road trip fare from that point to the
ground will be so cents additional.
The yachtmen engagcdupon the forthconiiIng
regatta are progressing, iavorably. The
race is TO come off on the 3lst Instant
The entrance fees are fixed at $50, 81 and
s., 50 for the three classes Of boats entered: -
The entrance book will be closed next Friday
night
CULpEpER COUNTY From the Cupcper
Observer VIM. Bcasclcy son Of Mr.. Thos
Beascley of this county, aged bout seventeen
was killed by lightning on Tuesday last, while
at work on the farm Of Mr.: Major, below Bran