Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-27
NORTH CAROLINA.
sAp CASE OF SUICIDE IN BuNcoMBE
COUNTY.
The Third.Party Movement-Particuiar'
Of a Tragedy -crops-A SEN
sation in Lincoln.

RALEIGH, N. u, July Zo.-hnosher
suicide has occurred in western North
Carolina - this time in Buncombe
county. Mrs. Merrill, widow, who
was about sixty years old and had been
from youth pious member of church,
had become distressed over the problem
of salvation and became melancholy.
Friday she expressed purpose to visit
A nejehbor. That night she was missed.
Search was made. Her shawl was
found ct crossing, and in apool below
was her body.
THE PROHIBITIONIsTS.
Durham-county people are going in
for the third party, as the Prohibition
party is generally termed. A prelimi-
nary meeting to arrange for the organic
ing Of the Prohibition party has been
held. 1t was decided to call q county
convention to be held in Durham Au.
gust 7th for the purpose of selecting
county and township committees to
consider the platforms. This movement
is not lookedupon with favor--certainly
not by Democrats.
RAILROADS.
1t appears now to be generally ad-
mitted that the Cape-Fear and Yadkin-
Valley railroad is to be extended from
Mount Airy to Wytheville, Va. twill
reach Mount Airy in few months.
CROPS.
An interesting report, giving latest
news Of crop prospects in the country
west of the Blue Ridge, has been re-
ceiyed here from Waynesville. 1t says
The Western North Carolina crops from
the present outlook will be average
ones. The wheat yielded good, and the
present dry spell has enabled planters
TO house it in good order.
The oat crop was over an average,
and the balance Of small grain was fair.
Never in the history of that section has
q better stand and growth of tobacco
been seen. With but little more rain
the tobacco crop will be the finest ever
produced. Corn has suffered for the
want of work. There is still time for
a good crop, and the present dry spell
is giving fair outlook. The vegetable
and fruit products are all about an
average.
THE EASTERN SECTION.
The improvement in crops in the
eastern section. noted in recent dis
patch, continues. Hyde's corn crop is
very large and fine. Upland crops in
Duplin are excellent. Wayne crops
look we'll. In Bruins wick and Fender
counties the outlook is very bad. The
corn crop is cut off one third-cotton
three fourths. Farmers are in criti-
cal situation in both those counties.
Governor Scales gave Tyre York such
a beating in the gubernatorial fight that
it was thought the latter was hacked.
But he proposes to emerge from OBJ
security and be the Republican candi-
date from the Eighth district.
TIE KILLING OF CRONIsTER.
News has been sent you of the shoot
ing of John Cronister, aged twenty
three, by Henry Rhyme, aged twenty
one, at Gsstonia. Cronister is dead. The
details of the affair are that Rhyme was in
a wagon. He had with him Cronister's
little son. Cronister, fearing that the lit
tie boy might suffer at Rhymes hands,
overlook the wagon and demanded Of
Rhyme that he make the boy get out and
return home. Rhyme refused the re-
quest, whereupon Cronister threatened
to whip the boy if he went with Rhyme.
At this Rhyme warned Cronister not to
touch the boy, adding: "If you do, |
will shoot you!" Cronister advanced
to the wagon, whereupon Rhyme drewa
pistol and fired two shots, both Of
which took effect in Cronister's body.
Immediately after the shooting Rhyme
attempted to escape, but was too drunk
to succeed.
A SENSATION.
A sensational affair has occurred in
lincoln county. Lock +. Wilkinson,
teacher in public school, was arrested
for the brutal treatment of his wife, who
is daughter Of most prominent citi-
zen of CASTOR county. He was tried
before magistrate Friday. Testimony
showed he had repeatedly threatened
to kill his wife, and that bis mother had
beaten the wife at various times, once
seriously wounding her with shovel,
and again with chair. Mrs.
Wilkinson's testimony was pitt
full story Of cruelty and suffering.
During the trial Wilkinson INDUCED in
violent and indecent language, aud was
sentenced to twenty-five days imprison-
ment for contempt. AS the court
adjourned he made a desperate attempt
to kill DR.. Rozzelle with knife, but
was disarmed. In the struggle Wilkln-
son cut himself severely. Public senti-
mont &c vary hioh aOsinet Wilkinson