Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-07-20
COUPON CASES.
ApRIsosEEs ATrrmprxp ESCAPE FROM
AsrATIoH-HoUsE
Petersburg and the Exposition-Ths Close
Of an Active and Useful
Life.
rorro.poaasnco q Che Richmond DIspstcn.I

Correspondence OF the Richmond DlspstchJ
PETERsBuRo, VA, Jolly 10. 1888.
The Hustipgs Court convened this morn.
ing 10 quarterly term, aud after toe usual
charge by the Judge 10 the grand jury, be-
fore whom nsuy papers were sent, took up
and disposed Of batcbiof eighty-six old
coupon cases which had been pending on the
docket since 1885. pursuant 10 eeinpro-
mise made In these cases, as bad been made
IN ali like cases pending In Richmond, Nor
folk, and other cities Of the State, yerdicts
were allowed 10 20 against the Common
wealth. Several important criminal cases
wore set for trial next week.
A white prisoner named Blackwell, who 10
charged With being an escaped convict IRON
Kentucky, was brought over from Richmond
by Detective James last night aud lodged 10
the statIon.house for saie-keeping unal be
could be taken to-day 10 that State. The
prisouer eDdesvored to effect bis escape BY
cutuna out the lock OF his cell door, aad bad
nearly completed the Job when he was de-
tectsd aud bis knife taken from HIN.
Undsr the inspiration OF the Chamber OF
Commerce, II IL hoped that our city will make
q creditsble exhih,tion OF It's industries and
advantages NJ the Exposition. IL only re-
outres the effort TO make 4 successful ex-
bibit.
The death OF such a man ~ the late Pro-
lessor Williams T. Davis, whose funsrai TOOK
place here this afternoon, requires more than
a passing notice. lie was born IN Gloucester
county February G. 1917, sod was educated
nj Newington Academy, In that county. At
the age Of eighteen years be entered on The
duties OF that protesriop, which be followed
for ever half a century, ana to which be de-
voted all The cuergies Of an active HE. He
taught for ose year IN Northun oefiand Aend-
emy, and two years more In Gloucester
and York counties. In lS43 he assumed
charge OF Old Hictory-Ground Academy,
and taught there for two years, when he
was called to the charge OF the primary de-
partrnent In Randolph-Mncon College, then
located near Doydton. Here be served until
1851, when he moved 10 Petersburg, and, IN
connection with Edward Z. Parham, opened
a school for boys, which he conducted until
1854. After twenty years. success as an In
structor Of boys be turned bis attention to
the education Of young ladies. He was one
OF fhsfounders Of the Southern Female Col
lege, which was opened in the fall OF 1854,
and be filed the chair OF Latin and Mathe-
MATES uutil the college was incorporated In
1862. lie WAS then elected president, po-
sition he continued 10 al until bis death,
with the exception OF short interval during
the siege Of Petersburg, when he was for
several months in active military service and
took part 10 the celebrated light OF June Q.
1864. in which the citizen sodiery 90 gal
lanIly defended the town against kaulzs
cavalry. Leaving The service the following
winter. he accepted the position OF president
OF the Dsnviile Female College, but returned
here Immediately after the war. Few men
we're better fitted to be an instructor OF
youth in all that that name implies than was
Mr.. Davis, and few have consequently been
more successful than be. ROBIN ADAIR.