Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-14
MATTHEWS COUNTY.
sad Ncws-Capsnre OF oyster Vessels
Crops.


Crops.
tCorreepondence ofthe Richmond Dispatch.
wEsTvILLE, July IL, 1886.
A telegram from near Brazoris, Tex,
brings the sad intelligence Of the death,
by assassination, Of Mr.. Randolph
Smith, q member of one of our most
worthy families. A later telegram
states that the murderer was . negro,
and that he had been strung up. Mr..
Smith left home and friends when quite
youth to carve out his fortunes in the
{ (" Lone Star" State. He was pros
porous merchant, and doubtless money
was the object of the foul deed.
Mr.. Tommie Smith, Jr., brother OF
Randolph's. was foully murdered about
eight years ago at the same place.
Amiable as q woman, Of gentle and re-
firing manners. no one suspected he had
an enemy. Returning from the post
Office one morning, he was shot dead
from a window. There was no motive
for this deed save an insane and ground
less jealousy. The assassin died nat
ural death, though, in justice to the
jury, l may say be was convicted of the
murder, but the eloquence and skill of
his counsel saved his neck until Nature
finally relieved the jailer Of his pre-
sence.
l am indebted to Captain Seth Fos-
ter, Of the police steamer Chesapeake,
for recent dispatch. He states that
on Thursday the Sth instant he steamed
up James river in search of oyster pi-
rates reported at work there. Carpen.
tiers were at the time engaged in lifting
up dormitory apartments on the deck Of
the steamer. These he took along with
him that the work might not be delay
ed. The fruits Of this expedition were
the sloops MsyAower and Bruce, with
out license, and the sloop Jonis aud the
V. G. Conklin. The two latter vessels
were taken along for violation Of the
18th section of the oyster law, which
forbids the catching in the close season
of more than FIVE bushels Of oysters
per day.
Captain Foster did not state any par.
ticulars Of the capture nor the DISPOSE
tion be made Of the vessels. Doubtless
his mind was dwelling upon the time
hopored and pithy speech Of Julius
Cesar" Veni, ridi, rici." Captain
Foster states that there is much com
plant from the oystermen OF the coun
ties where the 18th section is In force
that they are bitterly opposed to tn
Law permitting oystering in the clos'
season, alleging that they are cleaning
up the beds as they 60, thereby de
stroying the recuperative power of thu
rocks. lie further states that the tong
men Of Gwyn's island are also opposed
to the law, for the alleged reason thai
there will be no oysters to catch in thu
fall and winter months.
1t appears to me that it would bs
eminently better for all concerned t
stay the hand of all during the sum
mer season. This is the incubating
season Of the oyster, and Of cours,
the most critical and interesting period
Of its history. Millions Of spawn aut
tender musings are destroyed by sum
mer fishing, and it is an enormous los,
to the FISHERMAN as well IS to the State
Without thoughtful and prudent legis
lation on this subject the Virgins
oystcr.beds, like her once-magniticen
forests, will exist only in the magma
ton.
We are enjoying fine weather at pre-
sent. The cat and wheat crops arc
generally harvested, and the yield il
without precedent.
There Is some little apprehension thai
the wheat may be damsged by sprout
ing.
The farmers have been greatly de
lsyed in staying by" the corn crop
but the present week will, IL goo
weather continues, enable all to Civ
the last stroke. The corn crop is lool
Ing magnificent and promises an abunt
ant yield.
The weather Is intensely hot. tn
" Thermometer registered 92' in the shad
1t p. N. yesterday. A. j. NJ.