Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-08
North State News Notes.
Especial telegram to the Dispatch

Especial telegram to the Dispatch.l
RALEIGH, N. c., May 7.-Yester-
day in Wilson county Jesse Lester
was found dead in q by.path, with a
pistol beside his body. lie left the
home Of his father that morning before
breakfast. The body was found about
IL O'Clock. A little over year ago
Lester was badly beaten-almost
killed-by Sewell Whitley. His mind
had been greatly impaired ever since,
and for some time before the day of his
death he would talk of killing himself.
The verdict of the jury was suicide.
1t is thought by many people that
there are only six Superior-Court
Judges to be elected this year. This is
a mistake-there are seven. Successors
are to be elected to three new judges
Conner, Clark, and Montgomery. The
terms Of Avery, Graves, and Gudger
are just expiring, and Boykin is filling
an unexpired term. Each will proba-
bly, be bis own successor. The mem
bers Of the Supreme-Court bench, 1t
seems, will also succeed themselves.
Reports from Buncombe and Madi-
son counties show that tobacco bugs
are doing bad work. The destruction
of tobacco-plants is not confined to any
one section. Many plant-beds have
been almost totally devoured, and in
consequence great scarcity of plants is
anticipated.
The annual meeting Of the stockhold-
ers Of the Carolina Central Railroad
Company was held at Wilmington yes
terday. President Robinson's report
shows gross earnings for the fiscal
year ending March 3lst, s477, 900; ex-
penditures, which include operating
and other expenses, s325,000; net
earnings above company's fiscal charges,
eli, 900. John NJ. Robinson, Of Balti-
more, was reelected, president.
1t has been decided to hold State
oyster fair next winter. The Agricul-
tural Department is strong in advocacy
of the plan. Oysters can be shown from
twenty counties. 1t is very certain,
Commissioner McGehee says, that oys-
ter-culture will be a great industry in
Eastern North Carolina. Lieutenant
Winslow, of the United States navy,
who has been detailed to ascertain the
character and extent Of the present
oyster-beds, and of the area Of waters
suitable for their propagation, is making
very satisfactory reports as to his work
in that line. Governor Scales manifests
much interest in the plan. Virginia
and Mary land will soon have formula
bic competitor in oyster-culture.
Charles L. Hoffman, lawyer of Lex
iDgton who recently failed for $40, 900,
has, it is alleged, fed, and is thought
to have left the State. There is con-
siderable feeling on the part of his VIC
Tins.
There have been some very large pur-
chases of lands in this State by north
ern companies, and in the past five
years perhaps $50, 900 acres have thus
been secured, mainly in the extreme
east and west.
DIR. Clarke Whittier appears to be
one Of the most ambitious Of the pur'
cbssers. In Haywood county he bought
1000 acres Of land, and on it pro.
poses to establish a large colony OF
New England people. He established
0 town named Whittier. 1t is now re-
ported that serious troubles have arisen
at the new town between DR.. Whittier
and his employees.
A restraining order has been issued
to prevent Colonel Frank Coke, trus-
tee, from delivering 100000 of the
Rutherford county bonds to the
Rutherford Railroad Construction Com.
psny or TO the Massachusetts and
Southern Construction Company. The
summons is made returnable May l'th
at Monroe.
Near Marshall yesterday Nicholas
Norton, accompanied by two men. was
on bis way home. A quarrel begsn'
Norton threw one Of the men to the
ground; the other struck Norton on the
head with q rock, smashing the skull
He is speeches. and in . critical con-
dition.