The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-05-16
STATE AT LARGE.
PETERSBURG AND VICINITY.

O0icers or the Great Council, i. d. H. H.
| A Contested .wiII.Cnse Involving Large
Amount Decided Interesting ISLANDER Suit
Correspondence OF the Richmond nspaich''
MAY IL, 1884.
At the session OF the Great Council, 4.
| O. n. NJ, last night the following officers
were elected for the ensuing year Great
sachem, j. &. Balm, Portsmouth; Great
Senior Sycamore, T.. S. Wells, lndlanoia
Great Junior Sycamore, james l.. Belote,
Norfolk: Great Chief OF Record, james L.
Kelley, Winchester; Great Keeper OF wan
pun, Henry KiHzie, Winchester; Great
Prophet, ii. +. Phillips, Hampton; Great
Representative, Il. NJ. Solomon, Norioik.
When the case OF Thomas j. Davis,
charged with the murder OF John DIT
mar, was called in the Mayors Court this
morning bis counsel asked for contin-
uance until next Tuesday. Davis was not
present. They stated that, on account OF
both his physical and mental suffering. It
would not be safe or prudent for him to
be subjected TO long and tedious eXumi-
nation. The continuance was granted.
Six Democratic and six Republican men,
bers OF the Common Council hold their
seats for two years longer. The other
twelve members VIII be elected next
Thursday. 1t will be necessary for one
or the other party to carry four wards TO
secure q majority in the Council, and 4
desperate fight will be made TO that end.
The chances are decidedly in favor OF the
Democrats, who will make their nomina-
tons tomorrow night.
The merchants OF this city, in order to
break the moneyed combination in the
peanut market, are now having all nuts
shipped to them by the farmers hand
picked, and will start their own agents TO
the northern markets TO effect sales.
A very interesting contested will-case.
involving a large amount. has Just been
decided in the Circuit Court OF Surry coun-
ty. The readers OF the Dispatch will pro-
baby remember the sad and sudden death
by poison OF Mrs. X. c. Gray, ather home, in
Surry county, and the subsequent suicide
OF Mr.. GRAY at the residence OF his de-
ceased wife's sister, Mrs. WIngtield, at
Disputanta. After his wife's death Mr..
Gray became very melancholy, aud took to
hard drink. lie went finally to live with
the sister OF his wife, where one morning
he killed himself by shot through the
head. His will, which was made short
time before his death, gave all OF his pro-
perty to Mrs. Wingfield. The estate was
valued at 500, 200, and consisted OF fine
plantation in Surry, landed estate in
Danville and elsewhere, and an inter-
est i'm gold mine in Pennsylvania.
The father OF Mr.. Gray, 4 citizen OF Chi
cago, contested the Will on the ground filat
when it was made he was not OF sound
mind. 1t is understood that compromise
has been effected and no defence was made,
it being agreed to allow the ease to 90
through the court as matter OF form. Mr..
GRAY obtained verdict in his favor, the
Jury deciding his son to have been insane.
He therefore gets possession Of most OF
the property. 1t may here be added that
the girl who was convicted OF poisoning
Mrs. Gray is serving out iie-sentence.
An interesting SANDER suit was also tried
this week in the Circuit Court OF Surry.
Several months ago the Erickson Hotel. at
Claremont, was robbed OF sum OF money,
and at the instance OF the proprietor COL
ored woman employed rs maid in the house
was arrested on the charge OF the larceny.
On her trial she was acquitted. Thereupon
she brought suit against Mr.. Erickson for
defamation OF character, |: ying damages at
81 900. Through a'defect in the declara-
ton the suit fell and. second one was
brought, claiming $500 damages. The case
excited great deal OF interest. a verdict
was given for the defendant.
ROBIN ADAIR.