Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-13
HALIFAX COUNTY.


The Weather-A Test Case-Delinquent
Taxes, &c.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispstch.I
SOUTH BosToN, VA. Jan. IL, 1885.
The weather for the last four days
has been the seyerest felt here for one
or two years. The mercury has been
coquetishly frisking about in the tube
between Is degrees above and or 2
degrees below zero. The ice crop IS
very fine, ranging from three to six
inches in thickness-very solid and
clear. The recent snow fell upon dry,
frozen ground, and for this reason is
likely to remain until another comes.
THE COUNTY JUDGEsHIP.
The Dispatch of Saturday last, in
its report of the proceedings of the
Court of Appeals, contained the fol-
lowing:
Darlington against Edmundson,
sheriff. Upon a petition for writ Of
hobeas corpus. Rule awarded against
the sheriff returnable to the l4th in
stant."
The explanation Of it is that Judge
E. w. Armistead contests the right of
Judge w. R. Barksdale, recently elect.
ed by the Legislature, to preside over
the County Court before January, 1887.
TO test the matter Judge Armistead
one day last week ordered Deputy
Sherilfs c. G. Darlington and James
Washington to open court. They re-
fused on the ground that Armistead
was no longer judge. The Judge Gar
unsteady then commanded the sheriff,
Major ii. A. Edmundson, to commit
his deputies, Darlington and Wadling-
ton, to Jail for contempt Of court.
Technically the esteemed gentlemen are
now in jail, although freely breathing
the zero atmosphere Of Halifax and
waiting the decision of the Court of
Appeals. The proceedings above mar
rated are entirely friendly throughout,
and were only adopted to bring the
matter to conclusion.
THE DELINQUENT LANDS.
This vexing subject will probably
give as much trouble to Halifax as to
any other county in Virginia. The
amount of delinquent-land taxes is about
$4,000, representing 1885 different
tracts of land. There is no question
about the fact that many Of the reported
delinquencies are simply errors on the
part of the State and her officials. In
conversation with County-Treasurer
A. r. Green | learned that parties re-
ported delinquent held receipts signed
g w. R. Smith," and very few of the
tracts are now occupied by the persons
who owned the land at the time for
which these taxes are now brought out.
The delinquency, however, is lien
upon the land, and will have to be set
tied by many who knew nothing of the
debt and who do not owe it themselves.
DEATH.
Mr.. William Easley, son Of the late
William Easley, ESQ.,, died at the resi-
dence of his mother, Mrs. Catherine
Easley, at Brooklyn, in this county,
yesterday morning, the 18th. Mr..
Easley had been in delicate health for
several years, but his death was very
sudden and unexpected. His mother
was at Halifax Courthouse, where she
had been since the death of her mother,
Mrs. Phoebe Holt, on December 3lst.
Mr.. Easley enjoyed the love Of large
circle of friends and acquaintance.
lie married Miss Bessie Smith, Of
Pittsylvania. who died several years
ago.
COUNTY-COURT PROCEEDINGS.
Following will be found a brief
synopsis of the business transacted at
the December term of the County
Court A. Barksdale, Jr., qualified as
administrator OF DR.. A. l.. Peters, de-
ceased commissioners reported that
Childrey. creek bridge had been built
according to contract and supervisor
ordered to issue warrant; I. S. A.
Boyd qualified as administrator Of Levi
Lewis the wills Of Mrs. E. W. Melvin
and DR.. A. l.. Peters were admitted
to record e.; j. d. Hankins, News
Ferry, qualified as notary public
estate Of W. W. Darlington
was committed to the sheriff; Eliza
beth Bowman qualified as guardian of
Emily and Jennie Bowman; Samuel
Newbill was ordered to open new
road from Glover to Clark's- ferry
commissioners reported that abutments
to Dry-Ford bridge had been built ac-
cording to contract; commissioners
were appointed to Jet contract for the
building of bridge near Clark's
ferry, and also a bridge across Birch
creek at Osborne's ford the Catawba-
Greek bridge matter was referred to SUI
pervisors commissioners reported that
the bridge across Hunting creek had
been built according to contract; W.
P. Howerton qualified as administrator
Of Mrs. A. f. Howerton. PHIL.