The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-04-07
PETERSBURG.

THE DINwIDDIE OUrRAGE-THE ACCUSED CON-
FRsseS HIS GUILT AND rs SENT ON FOR
TRIAL-ADDITIONAL DETAILS-DEATHs IN
BRUNSWICK AND NOTTOwAY COUNTESS
NARROW ESCAPE FROM ACCIDENT-RUN OF
FIsH-THUNDER STORM IN THE MIGHT
STEEL RAILS FOR THE ATLANTIC, MISSISSIPPI
AND OHIO RAILROAD, &C.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatchl
APRIL 6, 1880.
The negro James Black, charged Win an
attempted outrage on the person OF Mrs.
Hattie A. Ferris, near F0rd's depot, Din
widoie county, Saturday afternoon. who
was arrested in swamp near White Oak,
only few miles from the scene Of his crime,
last evening, whittier be had fled for con-
cealmept from pursuit, was brought be-
fore Justice William i. Spain last ME mt
at 0 o'cock, at For1's Station, for
Examination. He had previously been taken
by bis captors before Mrs. Ferris, VINO, on
first sight OF him, swooned away from eX-
element. On his second appearance IN her
presence the lady fully and positively iden-
titled him, though his face had been
changed by shaving off his whiskers. When
arraIgned before the MAGISTRATE and asked
whether he pleaded guilty or not guilty to
the charge. he answered, "Guilty." On
the evidence OF Mrs. Ferris, whose sworn
statement was then heard, the magistrate
committed the accused to Jail to await trial
before the County Court. The prisoner
was then placed IN charge OF Special Con-
stable +. l.. Tinsley and guard Of four
armed men, and started to the county Jail.
distant about ten miles. A considerable
crowd was present at the examination. and
much feeling WAS expressed In regard TO
the tendish crime. but no open or avowed
threats against the life OF the prisoner were
heard. Sill the impression prevailed among
the more thoughtful that the prisoner
would never be allowed to reach the Jail
James Black Is man OF about thirty.tive
or forty years OF age, rather small IN sta
ture, OF gingerbread color and not prepos-
sessing appearance. He il native Of the
county, aud formerly belonged to DR.. B. p.
Reese.
Intelligence was received this morning OF
the death at LawrenceyiIle. yesterday. after
a brief illness OF pneumonia. OF Mr.. w. q.
Stills, prominent citizen and merchant OF
that village. He was married, and nearly
ifty years Of age.
Mrs. Patlle Jones, wife OF Mr.. William
Jones, OF Nottoway county, died suddenly,
day or two ago, OF neuralgia OF the heart.
DtCtdStu was u ihuN Va io'c SuNV" uNu'o
and OF high Christian character, ana her
death Is greatly lamented by numerous
friends throughout this section.
This mornlng about day break, as The
mail and passenger train from the South
was approaching the bridge over Meherrin
river at Hicksiord, the engineer discovered
i've horses on the track In the cut immedi-
aiely ahead OF him running towards the
bridge. The train Was stopped 10 time 10
prevent accident. Two OF The horses
escaped by leaving the track. but the other
three ran upon the bridge aud fell between
the tresties. where they wrre caught. They
were subsequently removed. and found not
To have sustained much injury. The train
was delayed for some tine, and probably
escaped serious accident.
The warm weather has caused large run
of tish 10 the river. and The fishermen are
catching all kiods--prIucipsiiy shad and
bcfring--very freely.
This morning between 3 aud 4 o'clock
our citizens were awakened by series of
loud claps OF thunder. There was 90 rain
Of any consequence, but the flashes of
lishfning were very vivid. One OF the
'Nghfning strokes nearly destroyed q isrne
ssre In The Yard OF Ar. James e. KemD.
nssr tue Heights.
iae crops are growing finely under the
Effects OF the warm weather. 1t IL said that
the planters 10 this section are making pre-
paratioDs 10 reed large area M cotton.
The schooner SalIie MAR n al Civ Point
with cargo OF 374 tons Of steel rails for
tae seuthside and Norfolk and Petersburg