Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-05-12
Az ARsnmnEN0 TOPIC.
The Approaching Trial or Jefferson
Adatr-NOtes.

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatchl
TAsrvIILE, VA. May 10, 1889.
The allabsorbins topic at this tine is the
approaching trial Of Jefferson Ajair for the
murder Of Peter y. Smith on the night OF
March nth last. Mess something not now
known should transpire the case will be
called on Wednesday next, rs it was sgreed
ni the last term oi the court by the attorneys
both for the State aud Tor the defence that II
should be tried at the May terra. Judge Ham
nton :. Noale. the Judge for Northampton
county. i declared from sitting on the case
ON account Of being brother-in-law oil the
murdered man. Hence It j. that Judge
Peek, Of Hampton, will preside during the
trlsl. lie viii arrive here on SUNDAY night
snd on Monday will select the venite TO be
summoned, thus giving the sherh ample
time 10 summons them by wednesday. IL
j. the general opinion that il will he very
difficult to secure a fair and impartial jury 10
Rii on The case.
The prisoner will be represented by Hon.
John Neey, Of Norfolk. state Senstor John
". e.. Blackstone, AMI William Ii. Parker.
OF AccOmack. and ONO +. Mesrs. OF This
Mace. The friends OF the deceased have Sc
cured the services Of william White, eX-
Commonwealth attorney for Norfolk city,
10 assist 10 the prosecution. Mr.. Nhlse Il
an able lawyer snd has an excellent reputa-
lion A. a prosecutor.
n will be remembered by your many
readers that Adair shot and instantly killed
Mr.. smith while they were playing game
Of cards, and that smith died as be sat IN
the chair. There were six witnesses 10 the
shooting, hut il was done 50 suddenly that
no one had time 10 prevent the tragedy.
Adair was st once placed under arrest, and
has alDce been confined IN the Jail al TINS
place. The defence Will be momentsry in
sanity caused bv the effects OF continued
drunken spree.
The last grand jury found true bills OF in
fIofment against eleven parties for card'play-
inr. al OF which with the exception OF TWO
or three hsye paid the fine which the law
imposes. Those who have not paid VIII be
tried 80 this term Of the court.
The warm weather for the past few days
has been 81 material advantage 10 the farm
ers Of this section, but no amount OF sea.
sonabie weather will produce iull crop oil
the early trucks, especially the potatoes. as
large quantities have rotted in the ground.
The outlook Is for "A heavy crop OF straw
berries, some OF which Will be shipped next
week.
TIE rainfall since January LIST has been al
most unprecedented. So the following facts
will show: The average or mean rainfall IN
the two Eastern Shore counties for the year
Il ~ A-lO, and We have had up to May lst
81 rs, 50 that Ills almost certain that we Will
have an extended drought during the sum
mer.
The Republicans Of this county are much
aroused snd are very indignant because
Geosge Winder, OF Accomack county, has
secured disappointment OF collector OF Gus
toms Of Cope Charles City TO succeed Captain
George u. Savage. present incumbent. IL
is perfectly natural that they should be thus
diEnsnt, as there are two deputy offices
10 al ia Acc0mack-one at Onsncock and
one az Cbincoteague lSland-and as matter
OF fact they will be filled by Accomack men.