The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-02
PETER SBURG.


MoRTCARY REPORT FOR APPLICABILITY con-
DITION OF THE CITY-ANALISIS OF THE CITY
wATER-TRlFLING CONTAMINATION APPA-
RENT-PUBLIC NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF THE
CITY HOTEL-THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE-THE lat
sToRM-GREAT DESTRUCTION CAUSED By THE
HAIL.
CORRESPONDENCE of the Richmond Dispatch.I
May l, 1877.
The mcrtuary report for the month OF
April shows that thirty-forlr deaths occurred
in the city during the month from all causes,
q decrease of seven as compared with the
preceding month, and OF sixteen as COM
pared with the corresponding month OF last
year. OF these deaths ten were whites and
twenty-four colored. There was not
death resulting from zymotic influences.
The percentage OF deaths was much larger
among very young and old subjects than in
anv previous month. Two thirds OF the
whole number occurred among children I'M
der five years OF age.
An interesting feature Of the health Of
ficer's reports that including the analysis
OF our city water made by DR.. Taylor, of.
your city, made from samples of water sent
him last month Dr.. Taylor reports that
the results brought out during his exami-
nation indicate the absence Of any considera-
BILE contamination by animal impurities,
but the presence of an undeniable amount
derived from vegetable sources. But he
saws it is the quality rather than the guam
tity OF these impurities which is important.
1t would be unsafe to pronounce water I'M
wholesome simply because the organic mat
tiers exceed certain conventional quantity.
The Petersburg water, he says, as repre-
sented by the sample analysed, is subject to
some suspicion-a suspicion, however, which
may be entirely groundless. This analysis
was authorized by the Council, upon recon-
mendation Of the health officer, in view OF
complaint that had been made about it, and
DIR. traylor's report discloses nothing alarm
ing in the sanitary condition Of the water,
and will relieve all fears in the premises. I
The expenditures OF the city during the
month OF A pril, as reported blythe Auditor,
amounted to $1,000, including somewhat
over $1,000 for quarters consumption OF
gas. ..s,
The City Hotel formerly Jarratts] was
sold at public auction at u O'Clock to-day,
and was purchased by Mr.. Robert Trum-
bull, OF Brunswick county, for 800. Mr..
TrumbulI is wealthy citizen Of that coun-
ty, and amply able to run hotel. 1t is I'M
derstood that the hotel will be opened to
the public at an early day.
The secretary OF the British Association
to-day received letter from the British
consul at Chicago, asking for hotel accom-
modations for himself and four or five Ia
dies on the occasion Of the international
celebration. In addition to those who have
heretofore reported, twenty-five delegates
FROM Chicago and twelve from Albany,
n. T.. have signified their intention to
be present. Everything indicates very
large attendance OF delegates from abroad,
and the celebration will far excel IN nagni-
tude and Importance any previous occasion
Of the kind held in Virginia.
A very mysterious and distressing case
was reported to the police last evening.
About II O'Clock yesterday morning a
youth named Robert Ruffin, son OF Mr.
James Ruffin, attending at Anderson pub
Ic}school, was taken sick, and was advised
by his teacher to go home. He left the
building, and has not since been seen or
heard Of. His parents are in the greatest
distress, and are apprehensiye that he may
be dead. A thorough search has been made
both by the police and the friends OF the
family, but not trace OF him after he left
the school building has been discovered up.
to this afternoon. I ,s 81.
The registration-book OF this city will be
opened next week for revision and addi-
ton, in accordance with law, though no
election liz to be held In this city this menth.
The.case OF Mr.. Reuben Ragland was TO-
day continued until the July term OF the
Hastings Court. sE':'z 81
Adyices receired here to-day from North.
Carolina state Chat the hail-storm OF last
Sunday evening was very severe in that
section. at Wake Forest over thousand
panes OF glass were broken, and along the
whole course Of the storm its rayages were
very destructive. In this city and Its neigh
borhood the rain fell In torrents, accompa-
MED by thunder and sharp lightning, sug-
{ gestiYe rather OF August than April. But
little hail fell in. the Immediate limits OF the
city, but near it, in Dinwiddie and Bruns-
wick, the size OF the hailstones is said
. to have been as great rs guinea
eggs, or even hens eggs. Buildings which
were cannonaded BY ii showed the
marks OF indentation, and horses and
other animals on which 1t beat were dashed
20 great Tear and frenzy, land in some cases
broke away from their stables and ran
4 away. fhe trees Were stripped, the fruit