National Republican., 1883-05-07
VIRGINIA "LAND SHARKS. ="
They Are Operating on Grand Scale and
Finding Victims Everywhere.
Unhsppy Fato OF SILK Worm EHPcri-
ment--The Duel-Pennsylvania Visitors.
Special Letter.

Special Letter,
RICHMOND, VA, May 5.-Eor some time
past a gang Of Gland sharks hailing from
the north and west have been operating
pretty extensively, selling TO persons in diff.
ferent sections Of the United States fraudu-
lent titles to lands lying in that portion Of
Virginia known as tho southwest. A fraudu-
lent abstract of title to 100000 acres Of land
situated in Russell, purporting to have been
patented by the state Of Virginia ON the
ninth day Of October, 1893, TO one George
+. Wythe for services rendered during the
revolutionary war, has been exhibited in
many states Of tho union by these " land
sharks" and their agents, and the result has
been that people from Maine TO California
have purchased and now hold In their pos
session abstracts Of title to certain portions
of this bogus land grant, believing them to
bo correct and valuable. Frequently, Col.
Brockenborough register Of tho land office
for Virginia, receives letters from differ
ent parts Of tho country from persons who
have bought these bogus titlos inquiring
as to the value, &C., Of tho property mem
toned To-day NJ +. Gardiner, of Washing
ton city, called at Col. Brockenborough Is
Office in the capitol and made inquiries in
person relative TO this grant, in the name OF
George +. Whyte. When Col. Brockon-
borough informed Mr.. Gardiner that the abb
here with him was bogus, he requested Col.
Brockenborough to furnish him with n GER
tifcate stating the fact This was done, the
certificate bearing the seal of the land Office
of Virginia. Mr.. Gardiner shortly afterward
left the land Office and inquired the nearest
way to the telegraph office. This information
was kindly furnished, and Mr.. Gardiner
started for the Office, leaving the impression
that either he or some of his acquaintauces in
Washington had purchased one or more OF
these fraudulent titles and intended to arrest
the swindlers.
Judge Holiday, of the chancery court OF
Richmond yesterday dismissed the bill pre-
sented by w. L. Royal In tho name of Charles
l.. Todd, who brought suit to compel the
treasurer of Richmond city to receive coupons
in payment for taxes. Justice Richardson,
Of the police court, in a similar suit, insti-
tuted in that court by Mr. Royal in the name
of Thomas Poindexter, decided that he had
no jurisdiction in the case and it was &C.
cordingly thrown out of court. MIR. Royal
has yet several other cases touching this
question in other courts held in this city.
Several millions Of silk worm eggs were sent
from Tennessee several days ago consigned to
the commissioner of agriculture Of Virginia
Tho packages we're received to-day, but the
eggs had Matched on the way here and nearly
all the worms were dead, having been smoth'
cred on the journey. The object of the ship
culture in Virginia. The eggs were intended
for distribution in different parts of the state
and to-day when the packages were exam
ined, there were manifestations of great dis
appointment.
The duel, which was nipped In the bud by
the police yesterday by the arrest OF DIR
Howard Cowan and Mr.. Hanson Kepler
was much talked about to-day. warrant
has been issued for Mr.. Andrew III. Christian
secretary of the Richmond Paper Manufactur
ing company, who is alleged to be one of the
principals to the affair. Mr.. Meredith +
Montague, of this city, is said to have beer
selected by Mr.. Christian as his second. The
police were looking for Mr. Christian to
day, but were not able to find him. 1t is be
lieved that he has left the city. Officers wert
sent to a point on the Nine Mile road early
yesterday morning whore it was thought the
duel was to take place. .l...a
The cause Of the difficulty is not known
nor is it expected that it will be IN" lie public
when the case comes up in the police court.
The Pennsylvania visitors, consisting oi
about fifty war veterans of the legislature ol
that state, returned to this city this after
noon from Petersburg. They were met at thu
depot by committee. from the confederate
camp and escorted to Saenger hall, where
banquet was given them. They expressed
themselves as highly pleased with the kint
reception extended to them by the people o
Petersburg, and all spoke in glowing terms o
the hospitality of the people of that city, par
ticularly of Senator Malone, who rendered
them a reception at his residence. They will
visit the battlefelds around Richmond to
morrow, and will leave for home Monday.