The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-05-29

1t will be seen by the exhibit of j. E. Rol-
Inns. Treas, in our advertising columns, that
the financial condition of the Augusta County
Fair is much more favorable than was expect
ed By many of the corporators. There is a
surplus of receipts over expenditures, since
its organization, of near $1,000. Taking
the entire exhibit, and it shows that there
are over So 500 above the liabilities of the
corporation, with the amount of their real
estate as put down in the resources, independ-
eht of this. This shows that the affairs of
gives reason to believe, now that they have
passed through the crysalis state. the future
will be encouraging and prosperous.
AN HONEST TH1EF.-When t. T. Smith,
alias Jones, was arraigned before his Honor,
Judge Hendren, under an Indictment for
horse stealing. he was asked by the Court
whether he had retained counsel? He re-
sponded in the negative. The inquiry was
then made whether he had aay means to
fee counsel? The same answer was given.
The Judge had G.. NJ Harrison called, aad
assigned for the defence The jury was
sworn, and the prisoner commanded to stand
up, and answer guilty or not guilty" OF the
offense charged. He promptly responded,
without consulting his counsel, guilty and
he stuck to it. Every one was taken by sur
prise aud the jury did not know precisely
how to act in the case. They finally brought
in verdict in accordance with the plea, fix.
ing his term in the Penitentiary at two years.
When they first retired. eight Of them were
for only one year. But finally agreed on two.
It was question whether the prisoner was
in his right mind He has the appearance
ola simpletou. He made similar plea
when tried in Charlottesville several weeks
since. We stated when last arrested that he
was the d1mbest horse thief. we had ever
known. and the only thing he had done tore
lleve him Of the suspicion of idiocy, was
locking in the Charlottesville jailor and max
ing his escape. Occasionally demented per-
sons perpetrate smart tricks. We think
Smith, or Jones, is an irresponsible creature,
but as his lunacy runs in an unfortunate
channel-that of a fondness for other peo-
pies horse flesh, it is better probably to keep
him confined.
County CouRr-May term, Judge j. N
Heudren presiding, commenced on Monday
last. The will of Sarah r Stuart was admit.
ted to probate, with A. w. Mcclure execu-
tor. The will Of Geo. Palmer admitted to
probate, with A. McPheeters, executor. The
will Of Elizabeth Lott admitted to probate,
with J. Fl. Callison, executor. The will of
George Dull admitted to probate, with G. L.
Dull and E. I. Crist executors.
Jno. Ell. Dollhouse and YIN, Withrow, jr,
qualified as executors Of Samuel Dollhouse,
decd W P johnson qualified as admins
TRAITOR Of Jonathan s. Johnston, decd.
j. F. Davis and J Wallace removed their
bonds as Notaries Public. Judson 0. Nc
Cutchan qualified as Notary Public,
Certificate granted ". A. Hudson, to er-
able him to procure license to practice law
in the courts of Virginia.
Jno. W. Cline, resg o his position as one
of the executors of Samuel Cline, decd
Retail liquor license was granted I. G.
Trice, at Butfoio Gap, and Jno. 2. Wood
ward, at Elizabeth Furnace.
The grand jury made the following indict
ments: Against W. l.: Pates, for murder; b.
7. Smith, alias Henry Jones. for grand lar
ceny; Isaac Hyde, colored, for house break
ing and petit larceny.
Against Nelson Watkins, colorel, for attempts
ing to commit rape on the person of Mary An
derson, white.
Against NJ G. Hartman, jr., for an assault upon
JOHN A. Crizer.
Against Isaac Walker for petit larceny.
Against John Kenney. Robert Kenney, John
Lyman. and Charles LYMAN for obstructing pub
lie road.
In case of Commonwealth against Fl. NJ.
A. G. and R. Stontemeyer, and Alex. Huffer,
indicted for misdemeanor; asolie prosequa was
entered Commonwealth against Ed. i.
Smith, alias Henry Jones, came to trial
Prisoner plead guilty, and jury found his
punishment ut two years IN the Penitentiary.
Commonwealth against Isaac Hyde tried for
petit larceny; found guilty, and punishment
fixed at six months IN county Jail, and twen-
ty stripes, in Eve instruments
The case of w. L Pates. indicted for MUIR
der, was continued for the defence until Both
of June. on account cf the absence Of impor
tant witness.
The powers Of Jno W. Orebaugh, as guar
dian of Stephen Orcbaugh, were revoked.
In the cases of E 7. Smith and Isaac
HYDE, the Court assigned Geo. NJ. Harrison
as counsel
J. G. Bosserman, tried for breaking,
was acquitted. Bumgarener Tor Common
wealth, Harrison for defence
IrEMs-The trial Of W L. Pates, indict-
ed for the killing of young Sheets, has been
postponed to Both of June. on account of
absence of important witness. Col Baldwin.
senior counsel was also absent and Mr. Coch-
ran, the Junior counsel for the defense, in.
disposed.
Isaac Hyde, col'd, was sentenced to six
months in the county Jail, and 20 lashes, in
five instamebts. FIR petit larceny.
John M Carol, the efficient city Treasur-
er, was reelected on the I'D, without cppe-
sition-he receiving every vote cast.-415.
Ro D H I,nt If PHILADELPHIA has a,s