The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-04-16


{Burrell Reynolds, who nude the fatal sab,
occupied two days. The second fLea E sss,,.
lnoidsl, charged with nremeditating AID
bringing on The difficulty, occupied, one Sirv
until late Iii the night. The accused were
prosecuted by Commonwealth o. Attorney
I r.. Il. Penn, Colonel j. IL. Penn, and John
staples, Esq. and defended By Colonel
William Martin aud Captain a. NJ. LybrooE.
The Jury In the first case brought In YER
diet OF murder fin the FIRST degree, and de-
cided that the accused (Burrell Reyno!ds}
should be hung. In the second case the
Jury brought IN 4 verdict OF guilty Of MUIR
der In the first degree, and decided that the
accused lice Reynolds) should be confined In
the penitentiary for the term OF fifteen years.
The counsel for the prisoners moved the
Court before trial that the case be sent to
the United States District Court, which mo.
|.tion was promptly oyerrulcd. They then
moved for jury composed OF an equal
number OF colored men and white men.
This motion was also overrulcd, the Judge
stating that the venire had been summoned
according to law, and he did not propose to
change the mode OF trial as prescribed by
our statutes. After the verdict OF the jury
in the first case the counsel for the accused
asked for new trial; whereupon the Court
ed new trial to Burrell Reynolds. In the
second case similar motion was made aud
overruled by the Court, who stated that he
thought the verdict OF the Jury was proper
| and lenicnt. The counsel for the accused
have excepted to the opinion Of the Court,
| and stay OF sixty days given in order for
| them to apply to the Court OF Appeals for
= writ OF error. Ii Is understood that an
effort will be made to have these cases
| moved to the United States Court.
After this protracted trial Of felony we
had an interesting trial OF land case. ili-
yolving many nice points of law. Some
three years ago the land OF Governor Wynd-
BAN Robertson, lying in this county, it was
alleged, was sold for back taxes, and pur-
chased by Robert NJ. Clark and John w.
Gates, who brought suit against Governor
Robertson for the right to the land. The
plaint1fs-Clark and Gates-were repre-
sented by Colonel Penn and Captain Ly-
brook, OF this county, and Governor Ro-
bertson by Colonel Trigg, OF Abingdon,
and John Staples, OF this county. Both
parties agreed to submit the case to the
Court, and after patient investigation OF
all the law and facts in the case, and an able
argument OF counsel. The Court decided for
the defendant Robertson. Our term Of
the circuit lasted for six days-the longest
we have had for many years. < great deal
OF chancery business was disposed Of.
Judge Tredway for several days did not
even leave the bench for dinner, and con-
tinued his court till late hour in the night.
We have had 7" fire in the mountain" On
the 30th ultlmo we had most terrific and
disastrous fire. Several small tenements
were destroyed, and in several instances the
occupants narrowly escaped with their lives
We heard OF several acts OF daring and he
roism. The raging fire came within half
mile OF our Courthouse, alarming terribly
the citizens thereof. The entire male popu.
lation were out two nights "fghting fire."
and by their efforts saved great deal OF
property. The wind was blowing very
high, and the tall pines in full view OF our
Courthouse. The blaze would leap far above
the trees, causing alarm to the spectators.
On the morning OF the 1st instant Mr..
John Pratt, citizen OF this county living
about eight miles west OF the Courthouse,
was found in dying condition. He was
carried to his fathers house, where he died
the next day and was buried by the neigh
bors. The deceased was q very Incorporate
man, and it was supposed mis- death was the
result Of intoXication. From some suspi-
cious circumstances after the iDterment it
was thought best to have the body taken up
and jury OF inquest. That was done on
The 9th instant, and post norton examine
ton by DR.. Joseph Bishop. The result was
the jury decided that the deceased came to
his death by blow on the head from an I'M
known hand. This matter will be further
investigated. The deceased was unmarried
and about forty years OF age. Dan.