Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-08-30
4 NOVEL SUIT
CLAIMANTS FOR fHs RAfPAHAHEocK
AND POTOMAC RIvERS
The Northern neck Intsrsstsd-A Duel
Causes 7. spiosr curIstt 70 Resign
Lancaster Items
correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
MERRY Porsr, LAscAsrEH, Va,
Auoust 22. 1889.

ANhte1t's @~~>'
Correspondence Of the Richaaona Dispatch-l
MERRY Porsr, LASoAsrER, Va,
August %, 1883.
novel suit OF rather gigantic pro-
portions is now pending which is frsught
with great interest TO the people OF the
Northern Neck, as it involves the owner
ship of both the Rappahannock and 10,
tomac rivers, with their tributaries and
immense fish and oyster interests. The
Marshalls. heirs and descendants OF
Lord Fairfax. claim the entire control OF
these rivers under the original grant
made TO Lord Fairfax by the Crown OF
England. which included the rivers on
the charter track. 1t is not generally
thought that there is any validity to their
claim, but they have retained able coun-
sci and are pushing the matter. They
have purchased from the descendants OF
Lord Calvert their interest in the Poto-
mac on the Maryland side. L suppose 1t
will be a State suit, as the latter now de-
riyes a revenue in the way OF rental OF
all OYSTER planting shores OF 20 cents per
acre below low water mark, the owner oil
the water course having the privilege OF
first choice of one fourth OF the shore
bordering his property, or can rent the
whole at his pleasure.
MURDER IN THE SECOND DEGREE.
The trial OF John Stoueham for the
killing OF George Clearringer will come
off at the next term of the Circuit Court.
The murSes occurred last April. II
seems that negro stole Clearringer's
watch, and subsequently Stoneham
bought it of him. Ciesrringer claimed
it as his property, and on Stoneham re-
fusing to give it up attempted to take 1t
from him, when he was shot and in-
stantly killed. Stoneham had been
drinking heavily, and brought in plea
of drunken insanity" He was in
dicted for murder in the second degree.
A DUEL AND IT'S RESULTS.
Quite a ripple of excitement has been
caused in political circles IN this section
recently by the resignation OF 1. Splcer
Curlott (erstwhile a member OF the Lee
gislature for this and Richmond county,
of the Office OF Commonwealth's attorney,
and the appointment of Colonel Joseph
Mayo, true-blue Democrat, by Judge
Ewell to fill the position. Ii seems that
Mr.. Curlett and his brother-in-law, Mr..
r. o. Norris, had a quarrel, which re-
suited in a challenge 10 a fisticuff,
which was accepted by Mr.. Curlett.
The battle was fought near Marvin
Grove camp-ground and Mr.. Norris was
the victor This fact being brought to
the attention of Judge and jury Mr..
Curlett was requested TO resign as having
forfeited his Office by accepting cAal-
lenge, which he Immediately did.
ACCIDENTALLY KILLED.
They did know it was loaded this time,
but with the same fatal results. Mr..
Frank HUT, a young merchant near
Nomini Grove, in Westmoreland coun-
ty. bought a new pistol OF a curious
patent. Mr.. Muse, a friend OF his, came
to the store, and they were examining
il, when it was accidentally discharged,
shooting Mr.. HUT through the stomach.
He fingered about an hour, when death
ended his sufierings.
THE TELEGRAPH LINE
from Fredericksburg to the lower end OF
the Northern Neck is nearly completed,
| understand. The central Office will be
at Warsaw, Richmond county, which
will have Geographic communication
with fredericksburg. Then there will
be telephone connection at all towns of
any importance throughout Lancaster
and Northumberland.
The people are buoyant with hope at
the idea OF having railroad connection
with Richmond, and are delighted that
work has commenced on the tunnel OF
the Richmond and Chesapeake railroad.
1t certainly will be of immense advan-
tage to this part OF the country when it
becomes an established fact.
The Democrats are cheerful and def
ant. and are determined TO do all they
can. but it is an uphill business with
them, as owing to the preponderance OF
the colored vote the county is almost
hopelessly Republican.
PINE CROPS.
The peach crop as general thing was
a failure, but the corn is the finest in d
number of years. / have heard of corn
growing so large West that the farmers
chained their horses to the stalks to pre-
vent cyclones from carrying them off,
but farmer of this neighborhood beats
that. He says one night he was aroused
by tremendous noise OF dogs barking
in his corn-tield. On going out to ascer-
tam the cause he found that neighbor,
with the aid Of ladder, had climbed
one of the stalks, and was endeavorinR
to dislodge a coon which had taken
refuge in the tassel. i do not youch fol
his yerscity. f. Z.
NEW LEBANON ASSOCIATION.