Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-12
PETERSBURG AND VICINITY.
THE RECENT ROBBERY CASE

Death or Commission Nierchant--A sad
cnse-A Mnuer OF Coincidence sales OF
Land 90 Northern settlers.
Correspondence ofthe Richmond DIspetch.I
PETERSBURG, August IL, 1885.
The alleged robbery of Mr.. j. x. Sims
by George Randall (coIored) was
thoroughly investigated in the Mayors
Court this morning, and the accused
was discharged by Justice Osborne, the
evidence not justifying conviction for
robbery, as the warrant charged. w.
X. Mchenney, ESQ.,, appeared for Ran
dali. Mr.. Sims, it appears, has been
building a house for widow lady Of
this city, and she had deposited with
him s4l5 to pay for material and labor.
Saturday evening Mr.. Sims went up
town with this money in his pocket,
and went to a bar-room, where he
joined Randall in game Of
faro. Losing n few dollars at this
game, he left OFF playing faro
and entered into game of 4" seven up"
with a white man named Cooley. The
latter won dollar from Dir. Sims, who
then stopped playing for awhile; and
then. realizing that he was intoxicated,
went to Cooley, who advised him to 60
bone. Cooley testified before the JUS
tice this morning that when he gave
Sims this advice Randall overheard him
and came up to him saying: Here,
take this money and yOu go home"
Cooley received the money, which
turned out to be $50, and
went away, leaving Sims with
Randall. At 5 o'clock Sunday morn
ing Sims found himself in the back
yard Of the premises, with, as he
alleged in his testimony, his pockets
cut and his money gone. There was
no evidence whatever to convict Ran
dali of the robbery, and Mr.. NcKenney
successfully argued that he should be
discharged, adding that if the Court
saw fit it could at any time re-
arraign Randall for illegal gaming.
Late this afternoon Mr.. II. c.. HALEY,
the proprietor of the establishment in
which Mr.. Sims lost his money, was
arrested on warrant charging him with
aiding and abetting an unlawful game.
This afternoon the police searched his
house and found certain paraphernalia
which indicated that illegal gaming was
carried on in his house. A warrant
was also issued for the arrest of George
Randall for illegal gaming. Both men
were admitted to bail in the sum Of
$3.50 each.
Mr.. W. T. Hubbard, one of our
wealthiest and most prominent COM
mission merchants, died last night in
Brunswick county, at the residence Of
his sister. Mr.. Hubbard was widely
known in this section of the State, and
for the past two years had been the
chairman Of the Finance Committee Of
the Common Council. The cause Of
his death was Bright's disease, from
which he had latterly been a great suf-
ferer. Mr.. Hubbard was about fifty
years old. lie had never married.
The police arrested this morning, on
suspicion, Henry Smith, negro, who
had in his possession fine bay mare,
which he was trying to sell for s2j.
a commission Of lunacy held few
days ago in Prince George county al
judged Mr.. A. III. Webb, a citizen Of
that county, a lunatic, and the unfortu-
nate man is now confined in the county
jail awaiting his removal to the asy-
lum. Several years ago Mr.. Webb was
resident Of Kansas, and while living
there he became involved in difficulty,
which resulted in the killing OF his an.
tagonist. He was convicted of murder
and sentenced, buthiS sentence was COM
muted by the Governor, and Suisse
quently he was adjudged insane and
confined for several years in thc ASYLUM
at Topeka. Not long ago he was al
lowed to leave the asylum on condition
that his friends in Virginia would bring
him to this State and take care Of him.
Since his residence here he has become
delnented on the subject Of piritualism.
The case is very sad one. The I'M
fortunate man is connected with some
of the best families in his section.
a telegram was received here this
announcing the sudden death
in jacksonville, Fla, last night, Of
Mr.. George W. Peace, a native, and
until his majority citizen, of Peters
burg. His mother and sisters reside
here. No details as to the cause of his
death have yet been received.
a case somewhat remarkable in its
character was developed here recently.
A fire occurred in the vicinity, destroy
ing property which was insured. In a
few days the owner went to the agent
to furnish the proper proof of loss,
and a statement was made out to be
forwarded to the company. Before
LhiS statement was made, however, the
owner Of the property requested the
lgent to return him the papers, and on
being asked the reason therefor can
Idly stated that he had set fire to the
and he desired to renounce
III claim upon the insurance company.
If course his voluntary forfeiture Of !
he claim, under the circumstances.
was accepted.
Within the last few weeks A number |
IF sales Of land in this immediate sec
ion have been made to sattlers from
he northern States, including several
iery fine farms. 1t is believed that if
'ome systematic efforts were made to
literally advertise the advantages of
he South Side through the North, the
immigration to this section would be
argely increased. ROBIN ADAIR.
RIG CNdKEC nv JERSEY