The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-11-17
PETERSBURG.

PETERSBURG.
THE FARMERS coUNc1L--ITs PAST SESSIONS
AND THE MEN WHO ATTENDED THEM-THE
CHESTERFIELD MuRDER-THE POOR OF Pc
TERsBuRu AND THE MEASURES FOR THEIR
RELIEF-sToCKHoLDE MEETING--PER-
soSAL-PRoBABIE CONTEST IN THE FOURTH
DIsTRICT-RUMoRED CHARGES AGAINST DR..
JoRGENsES-MrNOR MATTERS.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
NOVEMBER Is, 1876.
It is hoped the call of President Drom-
goolc for the meeting Of The Farmers Coun-
Gil Of Virginia and North Carolina in this
city on the 18th of this month will meet
with response on the part OF the farmers
in the two States. at the last session OF the
Council twas agreed that the meeting
should be held this year in October
during our Fair, in order that a
larger attendance might be secured and
that members might not be put to
the heavy expense Of making two trips
to the city in so short time. But as the
Council declined to make an appropriation
to assist the Agricultural Society, the En-
ecutive Committee decided not to hold
fair, and, consequently, there was no meet
ing OF the Farmers Council. There is no
doubt that the discussions and deliberations
of the Farmers Council have resulted in
benefit to the agricultural interests OF the
State, and much good might be accom-
plished il that body is kept alive, and able
men are sent to represent the counties In 1t.
The first few meetings were largely attend
ed, not only by representative farmers OF
the Southside, but OF the Northside coun-
ties OF Virginia, and OF the eastern counties
Of North Carolina. Then the discussions
IL Y,Naf-
ters pertaining to all the varied and i'm
rortant interests of the agricultural classes
were considered. A revival Of the Council
in its former glory is much to be desired.
Ned Harris, the Chesterfield murderer,
was defended Yesterday in the Circuit Court
by Judge Jones and Mr.. George S. Bernard,
OF this city. They volunteered their SER
vices when it was ascertained that the ac-
cused had no counsel. Considering the
heinous character OF the crime with which
the prisoner was charged, and the positive
evidence of his guilt, the counsel could only
plead for his life; and in this they were sue
cessful, as the jury gave him eighteen years
in the pcnitentiary. 1t was in evidence that
Harris not only cruelty whipped his nephew,
but beat him with a stick with such brutal
force that the lad was only able to crawl
away short distance, to die in agony.
Movements are being made looking to the
relief of the sutferingSs OF the poor OF our
city this winter, and it is probable that the
Council. in accordance with custom, VIII
make liberal appropriations for that pur-
pose. The poor in the almshouse arc not
only we'll cared for, but many INDECENT
families are kept out of the almshouse by
the assistance given them. Physicians are
appointed and paid by the city to attend
+I,ogo ,rJ,o o,,pnt ,,ur for medical services.
medicines are furnished free to those who
cannot buy them, and with the money fur
nished by the city hundreds of cords OF
wood are purchased and distributed. The
churches of course take care in great
measure Of their own immediate poor, and
private charity goes great way in relieving
the general suffering.
The stockholders OF the Blue Ridge
Springs Company are holding meeting at
the City Hotel this evening to consider bust
ness OF Importance in connection with the
company. ....-..
DR.. r. B. Stevens, surgeon in charge Of
the Andersonville prison during the war,
and the author of the book recently publish
ed giving the inside history of the manage
ment of that prison, is in the city to-day, the
guest OF Mr.. D. B. Tenant.
Captain William e. Hinton is daily in re-
ceipt Of letters urging him to contest Jor-
gensen's right to seat in Congress from
this district on account of Federal intimi-
dation and the presence of troops for that
purpose. He has also been earnestly adj
vised to this course by distinguished gentle
men OF the State. ! am unable to say what
his intentions are.
1t is rumored that charges Of more seri-
Gus nature than any yet made are to be
brought out against DIR. Jorgensen, bearing
on his conduct some years back.
Jefferson Edwards (negro) convicted OF
larceny in Lunenburg county, and sem
fenced to the penitentiary for one year, was
brought to this city this afternoon by the
sheriff of that county on his way to Rich
mond.
The Hastings Court has been in session
to-day, but as it is the usual monthly term,
no cases of interest appear on the docket.
The knights of Pythias have dress-drill
and inspection tonight; after which they
propose visiting the Jewish fair in body.
ROBIN ADAIR.