The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-05-06
FAUQUIER COUNTY.
Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispa'ch.]
- w Irn1.,.rnN- VA Mau 1870

ICorrcspondcDce OF the Richmond Dispaich.]
WARRENToN, VA, May 8, 1879.
Never within the recollection Of tho /" old
est inhabitant' has there been in Fauquer
anything like tho prevalence Of crime which
tile condition OF the county Jail evil
dences at this time. There has net been
an execution in the county for forty years;
now there are no less than five persons con-
fined on the charge Of murder.
John Williams, who is to be hung on the
30th OF this month, has been visited by Il
number OF ministers, and processes himself
interested on the subject OF religion, but
his manner is stolid, and he does not appa-
rently realize his situation or the eGormity
Of his CRIME.
Walter Payne, also negro, was indicted
on Monday last for the murder OF an asso-
cate, James Adams (rolnred), on the 18th
Of April. He was tried on Thursday in
the County Court (JuGga james prcsiding).
The prisoner was ably defended by James
G. Scott, E.q. Ec had, however, made 4
confession when lie was arrested, and
evinced by his whole bearing considerable
remorsc for bis great crime. The jury,
after IN absence CT not Glore than five min
utes, brought in verdict Of guilty. Motion
was made for new trial-cXception having
been taken to some ruling OF the Judge.
PAYNE was, however, on yesterday SEN
fenced to be hung on the 4th OF Juiy-a
novel time for such q performance.
The trial OF Armstrong for the murder Of
the tramp will take place ut the May term
OF the court.
\ negro woman living some miles from
here has recently been lodged in jail,
charged, it is said on unmistakable
grounds, with having brutally murdered
Der child. two or three years old.
The community was excited vcstcl day
morning by lad Of about fifteen years OF
age. named Smith. son Of Benjamin Smith,
who lives i've or six miles from here, coming
in and delivering himself to the ia!Ier, say
ing that he had shot his father the
night before, and that immediately on see
Ing him fall he lett. 1t turned out that tie
boy did shoot at his father apparently with
intent to kill; but very fortunately, while
the gun bad powder in it, the balls had been
removed from ita few hours before with The
purpose CT reloading it with different shot.
Smith was knocked down and completely
stunned By the discharge OF The gun, and
but for the removal OF the shot it is feared
would have been killed. Various r1lmors
are ahoat-somc, Of course, to the effect thas
the bow is crazy; others, that owing to some
domestic infelicity IN the family, and harsh
treatment from his father, young Smith was
goaded into the crime. Mr.. Smith. whose
connections are excellent, was in town this
morning, and stated 10 friends that he re-
GREETED that he could not adopt the theory
OF his sons insanity. lie pronounced the
act malicious one.
An application will be made on Monday
for bail in the case Of William /. Ball, who
stands charged with stabbing young man
named Creed few days ago. Ball pursued
his daughter, who had fled from his ILL
treatment, to the house OF Crecd's father,
and while proceeding to drag her out OF the
house the young man intcrfcrcd, with the
result above stated.
\ negro named Brown, who was found
to- answer to description sent by officials in
Maryland, has been arrested, charged with
stealing in montgomery county, and is held,
awaiting requ!sition OF the Governor OF
Maryland.
Rev. Robert Frazer, or the Fauquier Fc-
male Institute, delivered before the JGdson
Missionary Society, on Thursday evening
last, most admirable address CHI tie Re-
licious Condition Of Italy, 1t was an
nounced that steps would be taken to have
it repeated.
Mr. William 4. Brooke, son OF Hon. }.
V. Brooke, who has received an appoint
ment as Colonel Mosbv's assistant, leaves
for Hong Kong to-day.
The Dramatic Club OF Warrenton sre
busily engaged in getting UP ''Plnaforc.'
RUSTIC.