Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-05
THREE WHITE TRAMPS
MAKE A MURpsRous ASSAULT UPON
CONDUCTOR r. w. GlLlAT CRGWE.
A Frenchman Nearly Killed by the Expio-
sion OF a Cannon-Funerais on the
fourth-Ncgro Knifng ARRAY.
,coro.pOna.ncc o, tho Richmond Di,p.,cn.I

tCorrospontencc OF Tho kichmonu DlspaNn.I
PrrrrsnrRa. VA. July 4, 1890.
A telegram was received OF police head
quarters this morning from Crewe, request
ing the arrest of three white tTampsT
names unknown-w who are charged with
having committed n murderous assault ana
highway robbery in that town.
The particulars of the matter az Tar as
could be learned are "a follows; Mr.:
George Gill (sOn Of Captain Ii. W. TN, on
this city) Is the conductor OF frelght
train on the Norfolk and Western railroad;
lie runs between Norfolk and Crewe and
resides at the latter place some distance
away from the depot. lie Ieit ms horh le
about 2 O'Clock this morning 70 Jake
charge of his tram coming east. Not
arriving at the depot in time messengers
were sent 10 his house 10 ascertain the
causa They were told that he had gone
10 the depot 20 take charge OF his train.
rorNp BLEEDING AND UNCONSCIOUS.
Asnothing was heard of him party was
orraniZed tomake search. Captain Gill was
foupd in q bleeding and unconscious con-
dition IN a strip OF woods between his home
and the depot. lie was taken up and car
rled home. and medical assistance sent for.
When he revived he stated that while
on his way to the depot, he was
met bv three white tramps, who
lowed up the demand by an assault. knock
INC him senseless, and infictIng severe IN
iuries upon him. They then robbed him
OF SIX dollars IN money ana ms
watch and cham. leaving him as
thew probably supposed dead. Captain
Gill's injuries are ma My about
the head, and he must have been dealt a
hard blow with some heavy instrument. IL
is believed that the assalants are making
their wav in this direction and party Is IN
pursuit of them, though the assault and
robbery were committed fully an hour be-
fore the discovery was made.
NARROW ESCAPE PROM DEATH.
Captain ". w. Lanier, residing in Bland
ford. has been for some years the owner Of
a small cannon which has played promi-
nent part IN the political celebrations held
in this city and which has occasionally
been used for salutes on the Fourth OF
july. II was brought into use for this
purpose at an early hour this morning.
Mr.. Adrain BOche. young French
man. who ia employed in the bomb
factory Of Nessrs. Romano Il Man
ME. in Blandford, was playing the
part Of gunner and had several times fired
the cannon. But finally while ramming
home a charge of powder the cannon eX-
ploled The ramroad was forced through
his hands. tearing the flesh considerably.
He was cut III several places bv splnters
from the cannon and knocked senseless by
the conclusion. Pieces of the cannon
were blown TO some distance-two OF them
falling into the river
The Fourth was ushered in this morn
ING by artillery salutes and ushered out 10y
the same this evening. \ number OF eA-
cursiOn parties left the city during the
day aud n number came in from the coun-
try and other points.
The endowment Of the day was rather
softencd by the unusual number Of iu-
nerals which took place from the different
churches.
CUTTING ATFBAY.
A difficulty occurred last night on the
island between the city and the railroad
shops between Frank Johnson (coloredl
on the one part and Alpheus CrOwder and
George CTowder lalso colored) on the
other part. Johnson was cut on the head
with a knife by George Crowder and
knocked on the head with a bar of iron 10y
Alpheus. The blow on the head cut
wound several inches III length. Alpheus
was arrested. aud was tins morning sent
10 jail to await trial before the Hastings
Court for felony. George has not yet been
captured.
PRACTICAL EDUCATION.
The new departures made by the Board
Of Visitors of the Normal and Collegiate
dustrial departments for the more practical
education of the colored youths are re-
carded with decided favor. Practical in
struction in the trades of carpentering and
shoemaking under experienced teachers
of their own race VIII be productive of
much permanent good. 1t Is Just as i'm
'ea, ~ 'u ',,, o| cont ia scboiarsh;n
Mrs. Thomas ID. Davidson, whose death
ut the Georgia Ltbia Springs was tele-
eraphed TO the DisDGict last night. was a
native of Petersburg and daughter OF
MIR. Hiram Hnines. one of tho most bril-
liant editorial writers of his day. Her
brother. Mr.. O. y. Iaines. has for some
wears held Appointment position on the edi-
torial staff of the Baltimore Sun. Her re-
mains Will reach here tomorrow for in
terment.
The X. J.. Lee Artillery. Captain John
Trusheim, had a competitive drill at West
End Park this afternoon and handsome
prizes were presented TO the successful
men. ROBIN ADAIB.