The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-07-24

TIE BURNING AND ROBBERY or NM. LEIpfcH's
RESIDENCE IN PowHATAx--THE aUYfOsEn
GUILTY PARTY CAPTURED BY DErEcTiyE
vREN--THE FrRx PROBABLY THE REsuLT OF
BuS0LISa THfKyEy. .M
Detective John Wren returned to the city
yesterday from Powhatan county, where
he reports he has successfully worked mp
an important robbery case. II appears that
on the Dight of the 18th instant the resi-
dence OF Mr.. Joseph Il. Lejdick, which Is
situated about one mile from Powhatan
Courthouse, was entered bythieyes, robbed
Of groceries. provisions. &e., aud then set
on fire and burned to the. ground. Mr..
Leidick, who was occupying the house at
the lime, together with his niece and three
little children, says that he was awakened
between The hours OF and o'clock on the
night OF the 18th instant by the cry
CT fire. He had been aroused by
some of the help on the place to lind that
the basement OF bis house bad been entered
by thieves, and that the scene Of their dep.
redations was now on fire. Flames were
bursting from the lower story, but not so
much as to conceal the traces OF rogues
who had lately entered. There was the
large solid wooden window forced from its
hinges. and unmistakabe signs OF the re-
treating thieves. The house, which was a
fine, large, and well-buIt structure, was
burned to the ga0und, not, however, before
much OF the furniiure had been saved, for
the ne:gbbors had congregated In force and
rendered valuable assistance In the emer-
gency. Mr.. Leidick, is popular. well.to-
do farmer, and came originally from
PENNSYLVANIA. He married a lady IN Pow.
hatan county, and bad gathered around him
In mis- adopted home many comforts and con-
veniences.
The robbery has remained mystery, and
no plausible theory arrived at as satisfac-
tory cause for the burning, since it could
in no way have assisted the thieves, and Mr..
Leidick knew Of no enemy who could bave
been prompted by spirit of revenge. All
efforts at detection having failed, Mr. Leid-
lex visited Richmond on Thursday the 18th
instant and employed the services OF De-
tective John Wren, who went at once
to work on the case. He sent man
to PowhataD, and by Tuesday last some
positive clue had been obtained. De-
tective Wren went up on Wednesday,
and on Thursday arrested an ugly-looking
negro man named Richard Anderson, who,
from the evidence before the magistrate
gagged in the robbery OF Mr.. Leidick's resi-.
dence. Anderson is represented as being
a large strapping negro, with most repui-
siye countenance. He came to Powbatan
s)me two years since from Cumberland
county and lived in house very short
distance from the scene OF confagration.
A number OF articles stolen from Mr..
Leidick were found 10 bis house, to.
gether with property which had been
stolen from Mr.. T.. Crowder, the president
OF the Planters Bank at Powhatan Court
house. That Anderson is the right party
there Is little room left for doubt, and it is
believed the whole gang will soon be
brought to justice. The theory OF the Off
GERS is against the first conclusion arrived
at-yiz., that the rogues intentionally set
fire 10 the house. They are Of opinion that
the firing was the result OF an accident
while piunderlng In the cellar.
II, rs it Will doubtless be proved, Ander'
eon 10 the guilty party, he has added to bis
ether crimes the most shameless ingratl-
tude that can well be imagined; for Mr..
Leidck had been very kind to him In many
ways. Had given him a place to live, not.
wiihstanding his worthless character and
the fact that he had no claims upon him.