Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-23
SOUTHSIDE.
CONVICTION OF A NEGRO wTFE.MUR.
DERER-swIrT JUSTICE.
Burglars Sentenced to Long Term5-sld.
den Deaths at Matoaca-southsIde
Courts Money for the State.

Correspondence OF th g Richmond Dispatch,
PETERSBURG, April %, 1886.
In the Hastings Court to-day George
Clark (colored) was convicted of the
murder Of his wife, Anna Clark, at
their home, on Market street, last fall,
and was sentenced to eighteen years
Imprisonment in the penitentiary.
There has always been an intense feel
ing against Clark among the people Of
this city because of the brutality Of his
crime, and the general opinion among
them was that he should be hanged. A
number Of the jurors who first tried the
case favored hanging, but others would
not consent to capital punishment.
Clark is about forty-Gve years Of age,
and should he serve his full term will be
an old man when he comes out Of the
penitentiary. In a drunken quarrel
with his wife he struck her several
times with an axe, crushing her skull
and otherwise cutting her badly. He
then fled from the city and was arrested
in Norfolk. When brought back to this
city be was only saved from lynching
at the hands OF the colored people by
the strong protection Of the police.
There were apprehensions for several
days afterwards that an attempt might
be made to take him from the Jail, but
for any such attempt the sergeant was
well prepared. Clark was put on the
stand to testify in his own behalf, but
his story vas not believed by the jury.
Two very sudden deaths have recently
occurred in the village of Matoaca, in
Chesterfield county. The first was that
Of Mr.. Anderson Parkinson, aged about
sixty years, worthy and highly-re-
spected citizen. After his usual nights
rest he arose to kindle the fire, and
while so doing he fell to the floor and
died in few minutes.
Mr.. Frank Sturdivant, another very
worthy and estimable citizen, was
found dead in his bed. lie retired IN
his usual health, and was awake about
3 A. NJ. When his wife went to awake
him for breakfast she found him dead.
lis death was apparently very sudden
and very quiet.
Mr.. Henry b. Clarke, an aged and
respected citizens of Sussex county,
died on Tuesday, and, in accordance
with his request, his body was brought
to this city for interment in Blandford
cemetery. lie was one Of the most
successful farmers in this section, and
a fine specimen Of the old and hospita.
BILE Virginia gentleman.
Judge b. A. Hancock is winning
honor and respect in the Southside by
his dignity and impartiality on the
bench and his fine legal kno Wedge.
lie is now going through the circuit
from county to county. lie has just
adjourned his court in Brunswick |
county, where he disposed of a large |
civil docket and entered many DEGREES.
Among the cases there was one in
volvirg the legality Of the county's
subscription to the Atlantic and Dam
vile railroad, which was dismissed. |
Tomorrow the Judge will open court |
in Greensville county, the docket of
which, it is thought, will keep him
there fully week.
The four negroes who we're arrested |
in Dinwiddie county last week, charged |
with robbiDg the meat-house Of Mrs.
James Hargrave, near Reams's Station,
have met with swift justice. They
were tried in the County Court this
week and two Of them, Robert Patter-
son and Henry Jackson, were convicted
of the burglary and each sentenced to
ten years. Imprisonment in the peni-
tertiary. They were also tried and
convicted of breaking into and robbing
Mrs. Hargrave's hen-house, and
Patterson was sentenced to eight
J ears and Jackson to seven years. i'm.
prisonment in the penitentiary. Sheriff
Gillian, of Dinwiddie, arrived in town
with the two prisoners to-day, and took
them over this evening to the State
prison. The robbery was very aggra-
waited one, hence their heavy sentence.
The other two, Nat Hinton and James
Patterson were convicted Of receiving
the meat knowing it to have been
stolen, and each jailed for seven months.
1t is stated that the States portion
of the dividend just declared by the
trustees of the Planters and Mechanics
Bank will aggregate about 100000.
The public and private schools of the
city all closed to-day for the Easter
holidays.
Comparatively few licenses to sell
liquor have thus far been taken out for
the ensuing fiscal year. 1t may be that
the majority Of the dealers are waiting
until the last day, but number have
declined to take out license, and all are
acting cautiously. ROBIN ADAIR.