The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-10
PATRICK COUNTY.
DECEMBER (, 1877,


Editors Dispatch: This community has
been greatly excited for the last few days,
caused by the murder Oh the 30th ultimo OF
one Of our most worthy Young men, named
4. J. shelton, by negro boy named Bur-
well REYNOLDS. The circumstances leading
to this sad affair, rs We have learned them,
are about as follows: \ few days prior to
the murder little brother OF Shelton was
passing by Il negro school-housc, where
there was school being taught by negro
man named Milton Hughes. The little fell
low halloed out, School-butter," when he
was at once pursued by some ten OF dozen
negro BOYS. who soon caught the white boy
and carried bin to the negro teacher, and
asked what they must do with the boy. He
replied that "they might do Just az
they thought proper Immediately the
negro boys carried the little Shell
ton OF to the creek, near by, and
notwithstanding he begged most pit
cousv, they ducked him in the cold
water. The little fellow, not more than ten
ported to his older brothers. The next day
Young Shelton, the deceased, met up with
the negro boys who had treated his little
brother so cruelty, when some rough words
passed. In few days afterwards the de-
ceased met in the road Lee Reynolds, aged
about eigteen years, and Burwell Reynolds,
aged about seventeen years. The negro
bows were both armed-the former with 4
gun and stick and the latter with large
knife. After some words Lee Reynolds
drew his gun on Shelton. who knocked the
gun out OF Reynolds's handand downed him.
While they were engaged on the ground the
Younger REYNOLDS ran up and cut Shelton &
mortal wound in the side with his knife.
Some men near, hearing the noise, ran up,
when the two Reynolds ran of. The same
night the older negro was arrested by Dep
utv-Sherif Fry and is now in our Jail. The
one who made the fatal cut is still at large,
and supposed to have fled to North Caro-
lima. Fears are entertained that in the
event of his capture summary punishment
will be inflicted upon the pcrpetrator OF this
foul murder.
our County Court was in session on the
9Jtli ultimo, when 1t was supposed that the
disturbers OF religious worship at Russell
creek. in this county, and heretofore re-
ported in your paper, would be tried.
These men, having been bailed by a justice,
all failed to make their appearance. Judge
Staples, Of this county, informed me few
days since that he had twelve felonies on
his docket, and that they were all from our
thinks that the Legislatures of the two
States ought to pass some law for the more
efectual and speedy punishment Of these
violators OF our penal laws.
We had quite stir with the several ap-
plicants in this county for the position Of SUI
perintendent OF schools. The friends OF
those gentlemen were quite active trying
to get up an excitement in favor OF their
preference. We are more than ever i'm
pressed with the sound and very sensible
views OF our State Superintendent Of
Schools as to the proper mode OF appoint
ing this important county official. The
people want a competent man. The Board
OF Education no doubt desire to appoint
the best man for that position. The diff.
Guilty now is how can they ascertain the
choice Of the people and the best qralifica-
ton. 1t is very much to be hoped that our
present Legislature will heed the timely
and wise suggestions OF DR.. Ruffner upon
that subject.
We have had an immense quantity Of
rain. Not much damage, however, in this
county from high water. PATRICK.