Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-23
THE CoCKADE CITY.
SUICIDE OF AN OLD CITIZEN.

Supposed Cause or she Act-The Drought m"
the Crops-Th Purvcar case.
Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG, July %, 1885.
Last night Officer Ray, of the police
force, was detailed to do service in the
rear of Central Park. The officer went
to his beat at the regular hour. About
Q o'clock he heard the sharp report oil
8 pistol. An investigation of that quar-
ter Of the town revealed the fact that
the streets were quiet, and the
officer, thinking that it was some
prank OF the boys in the neigh
borhood, paid no further attention
to the matter. This morning, however
about ii O'Clock, policeman doing SER
vice in that quarter Of the town, was
informed that man had been killed on
the night previous. Proceeding to the
place indicated, the officer discovered
that Mr.. Pleasant Bowman, an sged
white man, who was highly respected,
and was q steady, sober man, painter
by trade, had been found dead in HIS
garden. with bullet wound in his right
temple. When found Mr.. Bowman ap-
peared to have been dead tor several
hours. A pistol oflarge calibre, 18th one
chamber discharged, was found by his
side. Mr.. Bowman had been employed
in the Norfolk and Western railroad
shops, and was an energetic and indus
trious workman. He is reported, how
ever, TO have been given to fits of de-
spondency when out Of work. He had
not been in employment for some time
past. The affair caused considerable
excitement in his neighborhood. The
coroner was notified, and summoned a
Jury of inquest. There is some suspi-
cion of murder, but the general inn
preston is that Mr.. Bowman took his
own life. the cause assigned being that
lie was respondent from want of work.
lie was sixty years old, and a man OF
family.
Farmers and planters from the various
counties Of the South Side report that
rain is very much needed throughout
this whole section. The crops are be-
ginning to suffer. The tobacco-plants
are small, and in some sections show
signs of running to seed. Where the
corn has been well worked it is in fine
condition: where it has been ne
elected. as has been the case in too many
instances, it shows the effects of the
dry weather.
The health Of the city has greatly
improved during the past two weeks
indeed, there has been much less sick
ness this month than is usually the
case in July.
The lower counties Of the South Side
is the principal region in the State fol
fruit-distilling and brandy-making. II
is learned, however, that the apple croE
this year is not as full as usual, and the
farmers are selling their fruit much
more freely than usual. For this rea
son it is hardly probable that the usua
number of stills will beput in operation
this season. 1t is found more profitable
to sell the apples at the prices paid fol-
them in New York than to MAKE
brandy. The grape crop is, however
large one this year, and good dea
of wine will be made.
After his indictment in Dinwiddi,
county yesterday, Holmes Puryear wa.
quietly brought back to the Jail in thi.
city. 1t is deemed unsafe to keep hin
in the county Jail, and he will remain il
close confinement here until his trial il
the Circuit Court at the October term
ROBIN ADAIR.