The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-09-13

him any longer, MS he was anxious 10 see
his wife and babes-one Of whom had
been born since his arrest. Monday the
I'd ultimo, the time set for Smiths trial,
came on; the venire summoned for bis
trial came; the Court appeared upon the
bench, but the bird had flown. Smith is
safe and sound in North Carolina, and, bid
ding defiance, says he never means to be
taken alive.
Several weeks since Mr.. John Anglin.
who resides some sixteen miles cast OF our
Courthouse, had his dweling-housc. with
all OF its contents, burned. The house,
which was new and quite commodious.
caught fire from cooking-stove. Mr..
Augln, young man Just beginning life,
ia one OF our most cnterprising and pros
perous farmers. His loss is n very heavy
one.
The next disaster befell Mr.. John Rodg-
ers. an old and well-to-do farmer, liv-
ing three miles south OF the Court
house. He and his wife were living
alone. One evening about sunset they were
out about two hundred yards from their
house attending TO some business, when,
looking in the direction OF their residence,
they discovered dense smoke issuing from
the door. They ran as rapidly rs possible,
but were too late to save a single article
from the burning building. Everything
was consumcd-nOt even leaving them
change Of clothing. This fire was supposed
to have been the work OF some fiend in hui
man shape.
The next, DR.. Via had his residence, ut
our Courthouse, burned on the night OF the
I'd ultlmo. The Doctor was awoke from a
dream that his house was on fire. He rush
ed out from his chamber to find the house
in blaze. The Doctor thinks from the To-
cation OF the fire that it must have been the
work OF an incendiary. This is a sad dis
astcr to one Of our most energetic and de-
serving citizens. He had just completed
his house one OF the neatcst and most at
tractive residences in our vllagc-and in
fcw hours time all has been swept away
the toll OF years all gone
We have three candidates already in the
field for the House OF Dclegates-Gencral
w. I. Akcrs, Colonel NJ. ID. Carter, and Cap
tain ID. W. Smythe-al Conservatives. The
feeling is not TO have any convention, but
free fight. The State ticket is universally
popular in this county.
must not omit TO mention the most i'm
portant land sale we have had in this county
since the late war. Colonel John E. Penn.
Us commissioner OF the court, sold. on the
premises, on the 18th OF last July, part of
the valuable farm known as the ''Ellyson
place" For many years this land has been
in controversy between different parties. A
final decision was reached in the Court OF
Appeals last winter, and the land sold for
the purchasc-moncv and bought by the
heirs Of the last vendor. This land was
sold by Ellyson to Semplc. by Semplc to
Hatcher, by Hatcher to McCabc, and by Nc
Cabc to Reynolds; and from some informal
itv OF the payment made by Reynolds to Nc
Cabe, Hatcher brought uitaSainst Reynolds.
During the existence OF the suit Hatcher
died. The suit was continued by his heirs,
who finally succeeded, and bought the land
at the sale under Il decree OF the Court OF
Appeals. thus ending a long and costly suit
This fine old estate is historic. During the
Revolution it was owned by family OF
Quukcrs. who lived happily in their quiet
retreat. 4 unique and mucl-dlapidated
old mansion still marks the place where your
father, Mr.. Editor, have heard, and your
humble correspondent, both had their birtle
This farm contains several hundred acres Of
very fertile bottom-and-on that clear,
winding stream, the Dan, but 4 few miles
from where it ru>hcS. >tlr@ing and
foamng. through the Blue Ridge, near
the famous pinnaclcs is Justly regarded
rs one OF the most valuable and productive
farms in this county, and, wthitS surround
inSs and associations. makes it one OF the
most beautiful and picturesque. TO see it
now with its broad acres OF decp-grcen,
waving corn, and it> tall, luNurant tobacco.
with its numerous StackS Of grain, and its
orchards Of beautiful fruit, you would
wonder why it was that our ancestors ever
became dissatisfied with such home.
Some parts Of our county have suffered
from the drought. Upon the whole, our
corn and tobacco crops will average with
former years, and we saved 4 very ti,r ..op
OF wheat, rye, and nnt- iAihCh'