Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-28
SOUTHSIDE.
A ROBBERY AND ArrHHprED MURDER
IN GRxEHsvILLE COUNTY.
Childrsn's Day in the Petersburg Baptist
Sunday schools-Changing the Gauge
Acquitted-Local Option, &c.
,uorrespondenee Of the Richmond Dispatch. j

the highway is reported to have oc.
Cured in Greensville county, near
Forest Chapel church, few miles west
of Hicksford, on Sunday night, the vic.
tim of which was q worthy colored man
named Douglas Fisher, in the service Of
W. Samuel Goodwin, ESQ.,, the Com
monwealth's attorney Of the county.
While passing along the road Fisher
was STACKED by masked men bearing
dark lanterns and armed with pistols
and knives. They took from him his
pocket.book containing severa, dollars.
While examining its contents Fisher took
the advantage offered, applied the lash
TO his horse, and rode swiftly away. The
robbers fred at him several times with
their pistols, but he escaped unhurt.
Who the robbers were be was unable
to say, their masks and the darkness
together concealing their features. They
are supposed to be, however, some Of .
gang who have been going through the
country committing outrages. Fisher
also reports that as he approached the
forks OF the road near Belfield he saw
two other suspicious characters lurking
in the fence-corners, but, being much
frightened and in hurry to Get home,
he did not pause to make their acquaint-
snce. Steps have been taken by the
county authorities to arrest these rob-
bers if possible, and the people Of that
section are on the watch for them.
The Circuit Court of Greensville
county commenced its term on Friday
last. The docket is very large, in con-
sequence of the county's net having had
court for twelve months. This was
due to the sickness and death Of Judge
Weisiger. The people esteem Judge
Hancock as the right man in the right
place-prompt, quick, and decisive,
and dispatching business in a manner
both rapid and acceptable. His
pleasant and dignified manners on the
bench win for him universal respect.
Rev. j. NJ. Pitcher, the general SUI
perintendent Of the Sunday School and
Bible Board Of the Baptist General
Association of Virginia, located in this
city, has prepared an attractive pro-
gramme for "children's day" in the
Baptist Sunday schools Of the State,
and will be ready to deliver them this
week. The first Sunday in June is
"children's day."
The work of changing the gauge Of
the Norfolk and Western railroad from
Norfolk to Bristol will be commenced
on the LIST of June. A very large force
will be engaged for the work, and it
will be pushed with the utmost speed.
The work of changing the gauge Of the
rolling stock will be done at Roanoke,
Petersburg, and Norfolk, and has
already been commenced, and is in pro-
gress as rapidly as the demands Of the
road will permit. 1t is reported that
when the change Of the track is made
the road from this city to City Point
will be used to temporarily hold the
cars until they can also be changed,
and that freights to and from Eew York
per the Old Dominion Steamship Line
will be carried between Petersburg and
City Point by water.
In the Hastings Court b-day the
case of Fergus Walsh, indicted for utter
ing and passing counterfeit United
States coin, was tried and tb accused
was acquitted. The CONFERENCE.-The
attorney frankly acknowledged that he
had failed to make out case, and the
defence made no argument and put no
witnesses on the stand. Walsh has
been in Jail for three months He is
stranger here, and declines to say
where his home is, for the reason that
he does not wish his family % hear of
the charge against him. When ar
rsigned last week and asked by
the Court if counsel should be
assigned to him he said he
thought he could defend himself be-
fore the jury; that he had 40 money
10 pay counsel, and did not want legal
service without being able 10 pay for
it. There were, however, two lawyers
in the city whom he should be glad to
have if they would consent to defend
him without pay. These were W. r.
Mckinney and K. 7. Wilson and these
gentlemen volunteered their services,
with the result above announced. The
United States authorities at one time
demanded that the prisoner should be
held for trial in the United States Court,
but to-day telegram was received
from the marshal directing the sergeant
not TO hold Walsh if he were acquitted
by the State court, and he was there
fore discharged from custody.
The decisive vote in Richmond and
Lynthburg yesterday in favor Of liquor
license has put the dealers and friends
Of license here in fine humor. 1t is
generally conceded that the result in
these two cities practically settles the
question here, and that no election will
be had in Petersburg for some time to
ccme.
DR.. Charles p. Hibbett, surgeon
United States navy, stationed with the
iron-clad feet at City Point, was mar
lied to-day to Miss Florence Wilson,
Of this city. The marriage was a quiet
one, immediate friends of the bride and
groom only being present. DR.. Hiboett
is an accomplished, courteous, and
popular gentleman who has made many
friends in our city. The bride is one
Of the Cockade City's fairest and most
attractive daughters. The couple will
be absent several weeks on bridal
tour.
A citizen of Amelia county is the
happy father Of twin boys, who bear
the names of Grover and Cleveland, in
honor of the President. Mr.. Cleveland
acknowledged the compliment by hand.
some present to each of the little ones.
The Easter elections in the Episco.
pal churches yesterday resulted in but
few changes in the vestries chosen for
the ensuing year. ROBIN ADAIR.