Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-11-25
PETERSBURG AND VICINITY.

.,.,h,, Fire-Groc,ry store Burned
Ibreat. to Lyneh che Mardsrer Clarke
Coupop Cases 10 be Tried-Othsr Matters.
fcorrespondence ofths Richmond Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG, Nov. "a, 1885.
The grocery and feed-store on Frank
lin street occupied by Mr.. p. III. Cur
tbs, chief engineer Of the fire depart
ment, was destroyed by fire this morn
ing about / O'Clock. The fire is be-
lieycd to have been the work Of come
malicious person, though noXone sus-
pects who he is. The building caught
fire from the outside, and, being a
frame house filled with inhammable
material, it vas soon in full blaze. Mr..
Curtis's stock Of goods was valued st
$4,000, on which there was an insurance
of 1000 in the Imperial Of London
and $500 in the Germania. The build
ing belonged to the Boiling estate, and
was insured for $500 in the Williams
burg City Company. 1t is little Gu
rious that the property of the Chief
Engineer should thus be singled out for
incendiarism. 1t was, however, only
three or four years ago that, after seye-
raj attempts had been made, the city
engine-house on Short Market street
was set on fire and burned while the
firemen were out fighting another fire,
no doubt kindled by the same incen-
diary. And more recently still bold
attempt was made to set fire to the
fire-engine house on Halifax street.
There has teen some apprehension
for day or two that an effort would be
made to break into our Jail to get pos
session Of George Clarke (colored), who
recently brutally murdered his wife
with an axe, and hang him. There is
intense feeling against the murderer
among the colored people Of this city,
and this feeling, it is said, is especially
bitter among the women. Several days
ago the sergeant was anonymous
" notified that if the woman
died an attempt would be made
to take Clarke from his custody
and hang him. The Sergeant very pro-
perly and very promptly took all neces-
sary precautions for the protection OF
his prisoner, and is abundantly able to
repulse any attack that may be made
on the Jail. The building is surrounded
by high brick wall, and is so arranged
that any attempt to break through the
doors would be attended with great
loss of life on the part Of the assailants.
When this is understood, it is not be-
lieved any number of persons will be
found foolhardy enough to under
take so hazardous an enterprise. Last
fall during the progress of the Demo
cratic celebration in honor of Cleve'
lands election. when young Wilbur
Holland was killed and Eugene NJ,
Glenn (colored) was arrested, charged
with the murder, crowds of people
gathered about the Jail and threatened
to break in and lynch the prisoner
They were warned Of the danger o.
such an attempt, but it took hours tC
quiet and disperse them. Glenn wa:
subsequently acquitted.
1t is reported that some thirty oil
forty coupon cases are to be docketed
for trial at the December term Of oul
Hastings Court. We have only had
one case of the kind thus far, but thai
was so easily won by the coupon
holder, citizen Of Baltimore, thai
others are encouraged to bring suits
These suits, it is understood, will b
mainly brought by counsel in as'h
mond.
Thanksgiving-day will be pretty gen
orally observed here. Services will b
held in nearly all Of the churches, al
public buildings will be closed, anC
the schools will not be opened on tina
day. Private business, however, viii
90 on as usual.
1t is stated that Colonel James d
Brady, the Congressman from this dis
trict, has prepared resolutions looking
to the adjustment Of the interna
revenue system, and Of the Office of to
bacco inspector, which he will offer a
the approaching session Of Congress.
ROBIN ADAIR.