Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-11-21
VIRGINIA NEWS.

Jacob Butler colored, was hanged at
Yorktown, yesterday, for the murder of Jas.
Griffin.
The tobacco season has opened briskly in
Lynchburg, the sales for the week ending
Saturday last being 445, 200 pounds-an in
crease over the preceding week of 1888 300
pounds.
Efforts are being made by the counsel
and friends of VIM. Greer, recently con-
victed in the King George court for man
slaughter and sentenced to nine years in
the penitentiary, to secure pardon from
the Governor
Mr.. w. H. Curtis, young merchant of
Newport News and deputy sheriff of War
wick county, was found dead in o ditch
near his store last Saturday. 1t is supposed
he was stricken with heart disease Friday
night, and fell from his horse into the ditch.
The State board of education appointed
yesterday John M. Langston colored, of
Washington, president of the Colored Nor
NAL Collegiate Institute, near Petersburg.
Langston made several political speeches in
this State for Malone during the campaign
of 1881.
A colored man. named Joe Brent, in Eau
quier county, says that the day before the
election notice was posted on his house
that if he voted or worked for the demo
cratic ticket his house would be burned
and that consequently he did not show his
face at the polls.
Mr.. John Fox, q prominent farmer Of
Smyth county, was fatally injured by vi
cious ram last week. He was going through
his field and was attacked unexpectedly by
the animal. Mr. Fox was an old man,
probably sixty or sixty-five years old, and
little lame. Before any one could get to
him he was so seriously injured that he died
Sunday.
By decision of the Court OF Appeals in
Richmond yesterday in the case of E6in-
gers, executor. vs. Hall, from Rockingham
county, affirming the decision of the lower
court, nearly one-fourth Of the property In
Harrisouburg will be thrown upon the par
ket to satisfy the claim Of the Hall heirs.
The property, including land and improve
ments is worth about 100000.
In the Hastings Court of Richmond yes
to-day L. B. Jones, young man, was tried
and convicted for sending challenge to
fight duel with Mr.. G. 2. Bradley, which
occurred in August last. The trouble out
of which the hostile correspondence grew
was subsequently amicably adjusted. Jones
was arrested q few days ago. The jury in
his case found him guilty, and ascertained
his punishment at one hour in Jail and fined
him one cent.
Mr.. r. H. Pollard, member Of the House
of Delegates for King and Queen county, is
a candidate for Speaker Of the House, but
Judge Stuart will get there all the same.
Mr.. E. G. Glass, of Lynchburg, will, in case
DR.. RufTner is not in the field, be candi-
date for Superintendent Of Public Instruc-
ton. Mr.. G. c. Grattan, of Staunton, will
also be candidate for the position. Mr..
W. III. Prout, of Charlottesville, is a candi-
date for Public Printer.
The Grand Division Sons of Temperance
Of Virginia met in annual session in Ports
mouth Thursday night and adjourned yes
terday. The following grand officers were
elected: Grand Worthy Patriarch, George
w. Mayo, Richmond; Grand Worthy Asso-
ciate, Charles Owens, Portsmouth; Grand
Scribe, NJ. B. Poiteaux, Richmond; Grand
Grand Chaplain, Robert 3. Wilson, Rich
mond; Grand Conductor, w. It. Scary,
Lynchburg; Grand Sentinel, A. w. Moore,
Portsmouth; Special Representative to the
National Division, r. G. Staples. Grand
Division meets in Richmond next year.
Another terrible tragedy occurred in Ac
comac Thursday night John Sevell Stur-
gis, prominent merchant, living in the
lower part of the county, and Smith Mears,
living on an adjourning farm, got into a
quarrel at Sturgis' store about a debt which
Mears owed Sturgis. Hot words followed,
when Sturgis threatened to shoot Mears if
he did not leave instantly. Mears was slow
about leaving, when Sturgs, it is charged,
drew pistol and shot him down, Mcars
falling out Of the door. Some negroes, who
were present, and who were the only wit
nesses to the tragedy, took the wounded
man to his home. He fingered till next
morning and died from his wounds. Much
sympathy is felt for the family Of MARS,
who was poor inofIensive farmer. Sturgis
is wealthy and well connected.