Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-17
VANCE'S LETTERS.
COPIES OF VALUABLE RECORDS SECURED
BY NORTH CAROLINA.
Dau-River Coal-The Tin-MineS-Two Suit
ors-Ecaped from Jail
Large Fire.
Especial telegram to the Dispatch


Scales received to-day from the United
States War Department copies of Go
vernon Vance's letterbooks during the
war. which are furnished under the reso-
luton OF Congress adopted December
20. 1886. The originals were written by
Richard II. Battle, then private secre-
tarv. They were taken by the Federal
troops at the surrender of Raleigh. For
twenty years constant efforts were made
to secure their return or permission to
COPY them. Governor Scales IS greatly
pleased at the receipt of the copies.
To-day the Department of Agriculture
received specimens of bituminous coal
from the Dan Valley fields, where in
vestigations are now IN progress. The
coal resembles Pocahontas coal in APP
pearance, and it is said that the grade
is improving in deeper borings.
Reports received by the Department
of Agriculture from the tin-mine near
Kings Mountain arc that tin of good
oualitv is being mined. A force OF fifty
men IS now at work in charge of an ex-
pert, who is confident Of the value OF the
deposit.
Numbers Of Spanish coins, mostly bear
ing the date of l7l3, have been discov-
cred at Bald Head near Wilmington. 1t
is supposed they were buried there by
the famous pirate Teach or Blackboard.
They were uncovered by the blowing
away of the sand by the recent heavy
storms.
Yesterday at Dunn two young men
made their appearance at the house OF
ID. 7. Jones, a prominent citizen. Each
announced that he had come after Miss
Sarah. Jones's charming daughter. Each
produced a marriage-license. There was
a dilemma. The young lady solved the
problem by accepting Jesse Keayes as
her husband.
Last week three men escaped from
Hillsboro' Jail after knocking down the
taller. One Of them, a white man named
Hopkins. was rccaptured in Chatham
county after several days chase. He was
again lodged in jail.
News was received to-day Of another
escape from the same jail by Hopkins
and a white lad named Holmes. They
made large hole in the wall last night
and got away. They had first to get out
of the iron cage. and how they succeed
ed in doing this is as yet profound
mystery.
The project Of building what is to be
known as the Great Western Airline,
from Weldon to Charlotte is now fairly
launched. An experimental survey is to
be made at once The counties
and townships along the route will
bear the expense of this. Resolutions
were adopted yesterday at very large
meeting Of the promoters of the scheme
declaring that the road will add greatly
TO the taxable resources Of the state and
to the value of labor and the property
on its line, and that its construction is
imperativelv demanded. The counties
of Mecklenburg, Cabarrus, Stanley,
Montgomery, Randolph, Moore, Chat
ham. Durham, Franklin, and Halifax have
pledged their hearty support and sub
scriptions of from one hundred thousand
to two hundred and fifty thousand dol
lars
A fire at Hillsboro, early this morning
burned a dozen uildings-amOng them
Law 5 furniture-factory. shoe-shop, and
tin-shop S. I. Smiths bar and several
buildings owned by Smith Faucets
bar, and some small buildings. There
was not cent OF insurance on any Of
the buildings save Smiths bar-room, and
on that only $500. The contents of all
the buildings were saved. The loss is
Thought to be $4,000. The buildings
were mainly of wood, in the centre OF
the town near the courthouse.
News from Asheyille is to the effect
that it is probable that General X. b.
Vance will be the next Democratic can
didate for Congress from that district.
In Buncombe County Superior Court
an exciting trial is in progress 1t is
that of Myra Connolly, negro woman,
who murdered Samuel Sumner, an aged
white man who was proprietor ola restau-
rant at Asheville. Last fall the woman
one night went into the restaurant,
ordered oysters. and was told to leave.
She drew knife and rushing at Sum
ner. stabbed him several times. From
the wounds death soon resulted. a
special pcaire was ordered for this case,
which attracts great deal of attention.
Governor Scales will be present at the
railway celebration at Oxford on the 18th
of April. Governor Lee, of Virginia,
has been invited, and his presence there
is specially desired. He is greatly es-
teemed in that section.
The people of High Point have taken
active steps to stop the sale OF liquor.
They have organized a vigilance commit
tee to look after violators of the local-op-
ton law there.
Rapid work is being done by the con-
Wet force which is grading the railway
from Stokesdale and Madison.
The cold weather does not appear to
have damaged the peach crop. Peach
trees are in bloom in most parts OF the
State.
The fish, oyster. and game fair at New
berne closed to-day. The affair was a
far greater success than its promoters
hoped TO make it. The pernanence Of
the fair may be regarded as assured.
In Wilkes county few days ago the
wife Of Congressman w. Ii. II. Cowles
was thrown from buggy and received
painful wounds on the head. She had
her infant child in her arms, but strange
to say it was not hurt.
The colored people in Halifax county
are agitated at the mysterious disap-
pearance Of a preacher OF their race.
He went out some nights past to look
after fire which broke out in the woods.
He has never been seen since, and no
trace of him can be found.
Last Sunday near Washington large
number of negroes were returning from
n funeral Some women got in a fight,
the crowd formed a large ring, and there
was a terrible battle between the angry
women. Gradually the crowd took sides
and the disgraceiul fight became general.
Yesterday in Harnett county the body
of Charles Harrington was found IN the
woods. He was an esteemed young man,
a son of Mr.. James Harrington.
Yesterday afternoon the residence OF
Mrs. Caroline E. Cherry. near Greenville,
was burned. The loss is 81, 800, with no
insurance.
The residence of Mrs. Sarah Robinson,
at FAYETTEVILLE, was also burned yesterday.
The loss is about 81, 500, with 81, 500 in
surance.
suicide at Reidsvilie.
fSnecial telegram 70 the Dispatch.l