The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-17
PETERSBURG.


~,,, ,pcrSr SHOOTING CAsg-SrATKMrNrs OF
noTu ARrrgs-PREsENTMESTs BIZ TnE
ns,xn mRY- STRUCK BY 1ioBTNINo--Mo.
van ron r,tg SALE OF THE PETERSBURG
mn ao.p--A PROPOSED NEW norrL--NISE-
r.~a..s.,s,,a,nee Of the Richmond Dispatch.i
JULY 10. 1880.
The condition OF John Farmer tcolorcdl,
ubo was sbo, last evening at remnant q
c. tohscco factory by Mr.. Cleorss Rainey.
a. yerv precsrjous this morning, and there
a. NO hone OF his recovery. lsdeed, mis-
aeath Is anticipated at any moment. The
Mayor. who took his declaration last night
after ne bad been informed by the pbysi-
clans in attendance that he could not live,
visited him again this morning, and md
ing his mind clear, asked him IL he
s,ill adhered 10 that declaration. On
hearing II read he replied that he did.
Ills statement OF the affair is substantially
ss follows: On Thursday evening as ne
"a leaving the fsctory he was hailed by
Ar Raincy and told 10 come TO him. He
renliea that he would do so In minute or
two The order was repeated TO come at
once. His object in rot going at once was
,o oct on, O, the factory and conceal some
stolen tobacco which he bad upon his per-
SON. He started 10 leave the building on a
run. and Mr.. Rsirey pursued him, threat
enins to shoot him IL lac did not stop. In
the yard nc heard the report OF pis'oi,
and felt the sting Of the ball as II entered
his back. He managed to drag himself PACK
towards Mr.. Rainey. aud TO tell him that he
had Killed him. Mr. Rainey, after a brief
pause. remarked that he bad not intended
TO shoot him. The wounded man acknow-
ledged that he had stolen some tobacco. and
several pounds OF plugs were found upon
his person.
Mr.. Rsiney declares that the shooting was
accidental that while in pursuit OF Far
mer he stumbled, and in the effort TO re-
cover himself the pistol which be bad in
his hand was by some means discharged,
aud that il was his intention 10 frighten the
negro and not TO shoot him.
Ii seems that the authorities OF the fac
tory have for long while suspected Farmer
OF stealing and carrying off tobacco. and
for some time past they had been keeping
watch upon him. When he left the factory
last evening IL was thought that he bad some
81 the stolen tobacco about him, and Mr..
Rainey hailed him for the purpose OF
making search.
Mr.. Rainey is from Chesterfield, where
his family and connections, who are highly
respected citizens, reside.
The grand Jury OF the Hastings Court,
after a thorough investigation Of the Dry
Branch nuisance, in the southern portion
OF the city, about which there have been 30
many complaints from the people in that
section, to-day found preseniments against
the city and Messrs. :. w. Venable d Co.,
proprietors OF . large tobacco factory in
that vicinity, as responsible for the nuisance.
The presentments will not he given to the
court, however, until next Monday. 1t is
reported that some Of the grand Jurors IA
yored the presentmeut OF the Board OF
Health in this connection also. Ii is only
in dry weather, when there is no water i'll
this branch, that it is complained of rs a
nuisance.
During the storm yesterday afternoon
one OF the large shade trees in Blandford
cemetery was struck and shattered by
lightning. A funeral party bad just left
the close vicinity OF the tree. In the west.
ern portion OF the city stable belonging
TO Mr.. j. l.. Williamson was also struck
and considerably damaged. IL, however,
escaped fire, though there was good deal
OF dry prOvender in the building. The
storm in The country, south OF the city, was
very severe one.
In the United States Circuit Court, in
Richmond, tomorrow, a motion Will be
made for the sale OF the Petersburg rail-
road. The petition is made in behalf Of
the secoud-morigsge bondholders. Mr..
Alexander Hamilton will represent the city
OF Peiersburg's stock in opposing the mo-
non-the city attorney, Mr.. r. b. Davis, 5e-
ing unable 10 appear for the city by reason
OF his being counsel for the first.mortgage
boudholders. The city, though it recently
sold its preferred stock in the road, still
holds 265 shares OF what is called common
stock, which originally cost over $4,000.
Our people generally feel much interest 10
the matter, and will regret the sale Of the
road at this time.
The movement made by number Of our
citizens for the establishment Of hotel on
Sycamore street Is likely to prove success
full. A meeting is TO be held this evening
TO make the final arrangements. 1t Is de-
signed to locate the hotel at the corner OF
Sycamore asd Franklin streets. and to util-
fze the large brick stores Of Mr.. Augustus
Wright for that purpose.
The sulphur and iron springs near Pc.
tersburg are visited daily by many hun
dreds OF our people, who partake OF the
waters and derive benefit from their use.
ROBIN ADAIR.