The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-12-27
Letter frolaa Pstsssnafg.
tccrrespo naeEes Of the Richmond Dispatch.

Petersburg, December 20, 1872,
Marvellous to relate, there was not before
the Mayor this morning one single offender
charged with any violation of the law OF
peace on Chriatn1as. This unusual oc.
currence may be attributed to the
extremely Indictment weather and the
deep snow which lay upon the ground,
whereby 1t was more pleasant even to
most hilarious old topers to spend their
Christmas indoors than to venture forth ii,
the service of John Barleycorn to brave the
wind and the driving snow and the piercing
cold. 1t Is also attributed By sorfls., OF the
upeharitable to the condition Of some Of the
police, who we're not In plight to arrest
evil.doers, had such there been. Whatever
the, cause, there were bttt few arrests:
and those Of people who were merely
taken up and detained till sufficiently
recovered from the effects of drink. Among
these was man who. some years ago, pub
lished an elaborate religious work, and who
yesterday was taken up drunk from the snow
and put in jail to recover. For the rest,
Christmas passed or pleasantly enough, amid
much blowing of horns, and explosion of
squibs, and rattle OF drums. There has
been but little social festivity, and no
parties other than those Of children
are reported. There were Christmas-recs
at some Of the churches, and at the Catholic
and Episcopal churches tho Usual exercises.
So has trr Christmas ranged itself with the
Christmascs Of the past in cold, and quiet,
and dismal weather, and with indoor cheer.
The running Of the trains on the roads
running north and south through the city
has been very irregular by reason OF the
snow. The train from Weldon due here
last night at 1880 did not arrive until
some time after midnight; the engine having
hndto run ahead from Reaiils's station to
tliis city to clear the track. When the train
reached here 1t could go no further, and spent
the night, not leaving, indeed, till this after
noon. The passengers were entertained mean
while by AIr. Ragland, who furnished solid
and liquid refreshments. and to whom they
rendered series of resolutions expressive of
their thanks. The heavy grade near the de-
pot had to be cleared of the snow by shoyels
before tbs train could proceed, The trains
from Richmond were also late. The through
train has not yet come. The trains on the
Atlantic, Mississippi aud Ohio railroad have
run nearly on schedule time.
This afternoon an old negro man named
James Gillian, while ginning cotton at Will
liams's mill, had his hand caught somehow
in the machine, and it was SO badly crushed
that it bud to be anputated.
Mr.. Robert Hughes, who married and for
merly resided in this city, was killed by an
accident on the cars near Florence, S. c., last
Monday night. His wife was on visit to
her sister here when informed of his death
by telegram.
Last night q mulatto man was found on
the track of the Petersburg and Weldon
road about two miles from town, half dead
from exposure and probably FROM dissipa-
ton. He was removed to the house of Bris-
ter Randall (colored), and died this morning.
His name was not known.
There will be massive banquet III honor
of st. Johns Day tomorrow night.
PonTS AnIrR