Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-30
PETERSBURG AND VICINITY.


ICotftspohuehceO Oh tue naCnihoito bi7i"eN"'j
PETERSBURG, Va, June %, 1885.
A merchant Of this city, who has
large dealings with tho people OF Green's
vile county. says that few days ago
one Of his customers, who is respect
able cclored preacher, came into his
commission-house and after transacting
his business began to talk about the
escape Of Henry Moore, the condemned
murderer. The preacher thereupon
volunteered the following statement:
On the day before Moore accom-
plished his delivery he was in Bclficld,
and went TO the Jail in his ministerial
capacity TO pray with the condemned
man. While he was praying a man
connected with the jail came to the
cell. and, interrupting the preacher,
pointed to burnt spot on the ioor,
and charged Moore with having made
an effort to burn his way out. This
Moore stoutly denied, and having APP
psrently disarmed suspicion, asked for
a match with which TO light his pipe.
The attache of the Jail complied with
the prisoners request, and went out to
get box of matches, with which he
returned, and which he gave TO Moore
in the presence Of the preacher. The
following night Moore made his escape.
The preacher says that Moore is
man Of enormous strength, and though
he appeared to be half-witted, he is
really 3 very cunning man, fertile IN
expedients, and desperate when en-
ragged. As an instance Of his strength,
he could easily release himself from
handouts and the shackles with which
his feet were bound together and fire.
quently since his confinement has the
taller visited him at dinner-time and
found him free from his iron fastenings,
although he had seemed to be securely
bound few hours before. When
Moore was sentenced to death Judge
Weisiger, of our Circuit Court, who
presided, says that the prisoner was the
only man in the room who showed
no emotion. As he was being led out
to the Jail he turned upon two negroes
who were standing near, cursed them
savagely, and warned them that if he
ever cot chance he intended to kill
them both. Moore has also been very
bitter against his father, who, he says,
informed on him, and he has threatened
to take his life when the opportunity is
offered. No little uneasinesS is eX-
pressed by the people in Greensyille
county that so dangerous a man should
be at large.
ENCOURAGING CROP REPORTS.
Commission merchants here are adj
yised by their customers and corre-
spondents in the counties that the crop
outlook is exceedingly favorable.
There is a fine stand of peanuts,
although the acreage is less than that of
last year. As TO corn, great deal of
this staple has been planted and the
crop is in fine condition. The farmers
are learning by experience, so a COM
mission merchant says, that it is cheap
or to make all the corn they need than
to buy it. An increased acreage in
cotton is also reported, and a much
larger yield than that Of last year is
confidently predicted. The wheat has
already been harvested, and it is stated
that both in quality and quantity the
crop is better than had been expected.
This is emphatically the " farmers
year"
SUDDEN DEATH.
Seyton Farley was well-to-do negro
barber here, highly respected by his
race. lie was also captain of the Pc
tersburg Blues, colored military or
ganization Of this city. Last night
Farley went to the Union-Street Me-
thodist church, being a member of the
choir, and participated in all the exer-
cises, being apparently in excellent
health. When he left the church he
went up Halifax street, in company
with several friends. He had gone
only short distance when he suddenly
reeled and fell to the ground. He was
taken into a neighboring undertaker's
shop and a physician SUMMONED. Far
ley, however, died in ten minutes after
he was taken i'll. His death was caused
by heart-disease. Farley was a mem
Der OF several secret societies.
NOTES.
II may be stated on the authority of
member Of the Finance Committee of
the Council that the rate of taxation for
the next fiscal year, beginning July lst,
will be increased. The present rate is
SLIGO on the 600 of values. What
the increase will be is not known, but
il has for some time been foreSeen that
higher taxes must come.
No appointments have yet been made
OF United States tobacco-irspectors for
this city. As there are a number OF
applicants for the positions, 1t is natural
that much interest should be felt in the
appointments.
The trustees Of the Planters and
Mechanics bank have instituted suit
against stockholders of the bank 70 re-
cover the amount Of the two last
dividends declared and paid by the
Board of Directors. The ground al
legged is that the bank was insolvent at
the time these dividends Were paid, and
that they were, therefore, illegally
paid. As many Of the stockholders
reside here, the suit will attract much
interest aud attention.
A number Of the lady teachers in the
public schools here will attend the
Normal Institute to be held at Staunton
in July.
Rev. s. S. Lambeth, pastor of the
washington-Street Methodist Episcopal
church, delivered special discourse on
Masonry last night before a crowded
congregation. All the Masonic lodges
in the city were present. He gave d
full history Of the order, and made an
eloquent presentation Of the benefcsni
results accomplished through its agency,
Information has been received Of the
death Of another of the three colored
men who were recently injured by the
explosion Of the boiler Of Deals saw
min. near Wakefield. One was killed
outright and the others narrowly es
capped instant death.
ROBIN ADAIR.