The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-01-07
Letter from Petersburg.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatcl


PETERSBURG, JANUARY 6, 1878.
A very heavy rain-storm began here Satur.
day mig hit, or rather on Sunday morning,
and tor several hours the rain dashed down
in torrents. The storm, greatly moderated,
however, still prevailed at dawn; and the
streets were flooded with water, and in some
places torn and cut up badly by the violence
of the tempest and the currents which were
fed by the rain. The Apponlattox had
risen several feet above the line of its usual
level at II o'clock to-day, but at last ac-
counts was reported to he subsiding.
In consequence of the cloudy skies, which
seemed to threaten more rain, and the bad
walking, the churches were generally al
tended thinly, though at some of them the
sacrament was served. Rev. Mr.. Atkinson,
of Charlotte, preached morning and night at
the Tabb-Strcct Presbyterian church, and
the other pulpits were occupied by the reg
ular pastors.
A sad accident occurred yesterday on
board the steamer Frolic, Oh the Apo
mattoX river, by which Il negro cook named
William Smith or William Williams lost
his life. He threw ont his bucket to dir
up some water and fell overheard, and the
current Of the river being very rapid, from
the food, he could not be rescued. Indeed,
it is stated that the body did not rise at all
but wis swept down the stream in the swol.
len and rapid current.
Strangely enough the man, William Smith
was to havcappeared in the Mayors Court thi,
morning to give testimony against colored
girl named Julia Gregory, who was arrested
Saturday and put in Jail on the charge OF
stealing q sum of money from him. Smith
having been drowned, and there being no
other witness, the woman this morning wa,
set at large.
The train from the North was four hours
behind time this ftcrnoon-indecd, has not
come at the time of the present writing.
Intelligence has been received here of the
recent death. at his home in Prince George
county, of Mr.. Charles J. Jones, formerly OF
this city, and more recently Of North Caro-
lima.
Ben Davis, 4 desperate, against whom
there are many charges OF horse-stcaling,
forgery, and the like, was captured day or
two since in Weldon, and awaits his trial in
the county Jail of Halifax. His capture was
effected without any struggle.
The Water Committee of the City Council
have ordered two new boilers for the Water
Works, which arc now being made at the
foundry and iron works of Tappey, Lums-
den Il Co. and the Council has also author
lied the purchase Of new engine to take
the piece OF the present old and dilapidaled
concern: The boilers will cost over 81 800.
4 large qllalitity of machinery for the new
factory in course of construction at Swift
Creek arrived to-day.
The following story is told of Captain
Bourne, commander of the steamer Old
Dominion, of the Old Dominion Line: The
Captain was passenger on the Wyanoke
whcr it left Richmond few days since.
Between Richmond and City Point the
steamer was stopped by The ice reported to
be in some places twenty inches thick, and
Captain Bourne walked on it to the shore,
hired mule and rode to Richmond, took the
cars for Norfolk, where he met the Old Do
minion, and proceeding up the river met the
Wyanokc coming down!
There have been eight cases Of smallpox
here In all, but the last one is now reported
well.
Mr.. r. E. Hawks has been elected a dele
gate to the International Typographical
Union. which meets in Canada in June.
ROBIN ADAIR.