Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-23
PROTECTING PuRYEAR.
BROUGHT TO PETERSBURG.

PETERSBURG. june %, 1885.
Late last evening Sheriff Gillian, oil
Dinwiddie county, with two deputies,
brought to this city. for safe-keeping
in the Jail here, Holmes Puryesr. the
alleged wife-murderer. II is now known
that well-concsived plan had been
arranged to lynch the accused, ana
that Saturday night was the time APP
pointed. BY some miscarriage I'M
known to the general public the plan
failed, but there was none the less
stern determination to forcstail the
law. II is reported that on SATURDAY
afternoon puryear was taken from the
Jail and removed to the woods about
two miles from tho courthouse. She
riff Gillian had summoned an armed
body Of men, numbering sixty-hve
in all. TO guard the prisoner.
This large escort remained with Pur-
year all night, the sheriff being deter
mined to protect the accused at all
hazards. Yesterday, by a circuitous
route and through quiet cuts, he was
brought TO this city. Puryear, IT is
evident. feels considerably relieved by
his removal from the county Jail. One
of his guards said that few nights ago
a number Of the convicts in the neigh
berhood were passing through the
Courthouse village, and as they drew
near the jail they broke into negro
melody. Puryear heard the volume OF
sound near him and thought that lynch
ers had come to kill him. His fear was
abject, and be piteously besought MS
guards to protect him. or course ne
is safe here, and no attempt VIII DC
made upon our Jail, which is strong
and well guarded.
Puryear, in his interview with your
correspondent, claimed that his reia-
tons with his wife his had been uni
formly pleasant. Mr.. w. X. Mcken-
new. who was Mrs. Puryear's counsel,
has letter from his client, under date
of April LIST, in which she says "My
husband threatens to leave me destitute
of all necessaries Of life. j appeal to
YOU for protection in the matter. lie
saws he intends to leave me next Satur-
day." On April 18th. Mr.. McKenney
received another letter in which Mrs.
Puryear wrote: "My husband has'l
me at the store without any protection
whatever. lie moved to his ia
theirs. and is getting ready torun away
and leave, understand, and carried all
his clothes with him. He says he don't
care what becomes Of me; that there is
no law to force him to take care Of me
until the fall. lie has treated me very
unkindly; ! can prove it. lie gave me
ten pounds of flour Sunday. and says
that is all he is going to give me. lie
saws if his face gets well he is going to
Texas next week"
1t may besaid that relief is felt that
the alleged plans TO destroy Puryear
were not carried out, no matter what
the character of his crime or how often
sive he may be to the community.
Probably those who conceived the plan
thought better Of and abandoned it in
the ir cooler moments.
NOTES.
Yesterday was lively day in police
circles, and the mayor was busy this
morning for nearly two hours in melting
out Justice TO the offenders. The two
most important cases were those OF
persons charged with assaulting Off
GERS. Last night Sergeant Mallory ar
rested Charles Williams, northern
man and stranger. for drunkenness.
While taking his prisoner to the station
house Officer Mallory was assaulted by
Williams and badly beaten. But fol-
the aid of persons who went to his
rescue Officer Mallory would have beer
permanently disabled. Mayor Jarrat
fined Williams twenty dollars and SEN
him to jail for three months.
In the western quarter of the town
there has been considerable complaint
from residents and church-goers of Sun
day drunkenness on the part OF per
sons, whose conduct interfere will
church services. A letter was sent Il
Mayor Jarratt asking him to put stol
to the nuisance. The Mayor turned tn
matter over to the Chief Of police, VIII
detailed an officer for service in tina
section Of the town. Yesterday morn
ing the officer attempted to arres
Mr.. John Stewart, who, he al
legged, was drunk and disorderly
The officer claims that Stewart re
sisted arrest and assaulted him. Tn
officer thereupon used his club to SC
we're effect. Witnesses in behalf of tn
defence testified before the mayor tina
Mr.. Stewart did not strike the officer
and that the latter used his club Will
the accused was being held by by
stander. The mayor fined Stewart slS
and took OCCASION to give warning tbs
he intended to enforce the law TO ii
utmost in order to end the disgracef,
state Of affairs Of which complaint ha
been made. Mr.. Stewards frienC
claim that he was dubbed withoI
proyocation, and the matter will, it
understood, 60 into higher court en-
complaint charging the officer with IN
licious assault.
The convict camp in this city h
been vacated, and to-day the conyic
were taken to Louisa county, whe
they will be employed in the mines.
As TO the Virginia and North Car
lima railroad, your correspondent SOL
short time since asked Colonel John
Divine, Of Wilmington, promine
official of the Atlantic Coast Liz
whether that corporation intended
complete the Virginia and North Car
lima road, which they have acquired
purchase. Colonel Diyine's reply W
brief but significant. why shou
wet" he asked.
Mr.. George W. Wheary, we
known citizen Of Ettrick, and for Sc,
raj years assistant superintendent Of
Kttrick cotton-fsctory, died on Saturd
night Of consumption. His death, no
ever, was quite unexpected. He lea'
widow and Ave children.
Mr.. William Cameron, one Of c
largest tobacco exporters, will leave
. day or two for Australia to 10
after his interests in that part of
~oxid RnpyN AnAIQ