Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-22
PETERSBURG AND VICINITY.
AN INTERESTING CASE.

A Curator for the state Appointed 90 Take
Charge OF J. G. brakes Properiy-A Disap.
IoiBied Committee.
Correspondence fthe Richmond Dispatch.
PETERSBURG, VA, Jan. 81, 1876
In the Hastings Court to-day Mr.
Martin, Of Albemarle county, Of coun.
sci representing the State in the Plant.
ers and Mechanics Bank cases, sub.
mitteG motion for the appointment by
the Court Of curator to take charge oil
the estate of the late John c. Drake.
who, it was understood. was largely
indebted to the bank at the time Of It's
failure. Mr.. Martin stated that the
Commonwealth had recovered a judg-
ment against Mr. Drake during his life.
time for very large amount, and that
executions issued on that judgment
had failed to bring to light any eff
iectS. lie further stated that the
making Of this order by the Court would
in nOwIse affect the right Of the widow,
or next Of kin Of the deceased, TO apply
for letters Of administration within the
statutory period Of thirty days, and
said that the counsel for the Common
wealth only desired that the estate
should be committed to the hands Of
some responsible party. lie suggested
Mr.. John Wesley Friend for appoint
ment as curator, and that his bond be
fixed at 10000. He suggested this
sum because the information of counsel
as to the late Mr.. brakes pro-
perty rested solely on the spec
ulation that be was possessed
Of considerable means. lie hoped that
an Investigation might develop an estate
many times larger than the amount Of
the bond. Mr.. Martin was followed
by Mr.. Gillian. Of Richmond, and Mr..
K. b. Davis, of this city, in advocacy
Of the appointment of a curator, who
was defined in this case as lone APP
pointed to look after an estate which is
alleged to be drifting away" The
Court appointed Mr. Friend as curator
of the estate and fixed his bond at
$4,000. That gentleman qualified at
once.
The Joint committee of the Common
Council and citizens returned home this
morning, after having laid before the
proper committee of the legislature
last evening the resolutions adopted by
our Common Council in reference to the
proposed extension of the charter Of the
Virginia and Carolina railroad. The
city representatives informed the legls-
latiye committee Of the sentiment Of
the Council and Of the people
generally, and asked the commit.
tee to report adversely on the
bill to extend the charter. or else
to extend it under such guarantees and
provisos as would protect the interests
Of the city. The committee also heard
Major Wexford, yice-president Of the
road, who, in answer to questions. 1t IS
said, admitted that the sum of $4,000
derived from the sale Of the common
stock had been absorbed by certain
gentlemen interested in the road. The
legislative committee declined TO re-
commend to the Legislature what the
city a>keG-eitser the refusal to
extend the time of the charter or the
imposition Of conditions upon the roal.
The city then asked that instead of cy-
tending the time for completing the
road iorfyc years. the term be limited
to two. This was declined, and the
term agreed upon by the committee
was three years. Il may be stated
that the action Of the committee
throughout was a marked disappoint-
ment to the representatives Of the city,
as also to our citizens generally.
The quarterly term Of the Hastings
Court began this morning, our new
Judge, D. NJ. Bernard, for the first time
presiding. lie presided with dignity
and courtesy, and made a most favor
able impression. His charge to the
grand jury was an admirable one
clear, forcible, and pointed, and vary
irg greatly from the usual deliveries Of
its kind from the bench The grand
Jury found bills of indictment
against a number Of persons charged
with felony and miSdemeanor among
the former against George Clark Dcol-
ored), charged with the murder Of his
wife. This case will be one Of interest,
because capital punishment Is involved,
and 1t is the first case of the kind we
have had for some years. The large
courtroom was den>ely crowded all
day, and entrance and exit were diff
cult.
The treasurer has given notice that
in accordance with instructions from
the Auditor the sale # lands for delin-
quent taxes in this city has been post
poned until March.
Eighty-tWo deeds were admitted 70
record in the clerk S office in this city
during the interim between the Deem
ter and January terms Of the Hastings
Court.
Mr.. Richard Charles. for several
years past an efficient member Of the
police corps. died yesterday after
protracted illness. Ii was only few
weeks ago that the father of the de-
ceased was run over and killed on the
Norfolk and Western railroad while
guarding the ciy's wood inside the
town.
The Judge OF Dinwiddie has refused
to grant a license to a citizen Of the
county for the sale Of liquor at point
near the Central Insane Asylum. The
point was vigorously fought by cOun-
sci, but after hearing the statements Of
officers of the Asylum and of residents
in the vicinity the Judge deemed the
place to be an improper one for the sale
of liquor. ROBIN ADAIR.
The HOrsford Almanac ana Cook
Book