Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-02-27
PRITFS.
A DICKINSON FEUD
stolen Meal and n Woman aud "A Gun-Bad
Roads


Correspondence OF tho Richmond DlsDatch.l
CLrsrwooD, Va, February 24.-For some
time past difficulty, which has arisen be-
tween two families in the " South y ofCum-
berland Mountain, "A distance of four miles
from this place, has been attracting con-
adorable attention in this community.
Widow Mills lives in that neighborhood.
She has several children, and several thetts
have been charged TO the family. For
wear or two past Leander Ashley has been
living there as hired man, and he IS now
charged with having assisted the family II
plying q pilfering trade. John GIBSON mas
a mill on q small creek in the neighbOr-
hood, and a short time ago two Of his little
girls we're passing near it and saw Ashley
and Mrs. Mills's eldest son in the mill
house. and knowing that they had no busl-
ness there at that time the girls hastened
home to acquaint their father of the fact.
Mr.. Gibson started TO the mill at once and
saw them as they were leaving, each one
having q sack of something, which he sup
posed 10 be meal they had taken from the
mill. and upon examination he found that
some meal was missing from the mill. lie
at once went 10 justice and swore out
warrant, charging them with having stolen
as above related. The justice, after q pre-
limlnary hearing, sent them TO jail, there
TO await the action of the grand jury. The
bow was, however, released upon bail after
a day or two's imprisonment, but Ashley
has remained there.
MRS. MILLS AND GUN.
Mrs. Mills then attempted to put Gibson
and his son in the custody OF the law
through trumped-up charge, but the JUS
tice pronounced the evidence too weak 10
sustain the charge and they were prompt
ly acquitted. A few days since, as Gibson
was passing the house of Mrs. Mills, the
latter called to hin. in a grossly insulting
manner. though he says he passed on and
paid no attention TO her, but had gone
only q short distance when he heard gun
fire, and upon turning round he saw the
| woman standing iL the yard with gun
and making some violent threats. he at
once had her taken before q justice, and
she is now in jail waiting for the grand
Jury TO consider her case, while your CORE
spondent is waiting for further develop
ments.
FINANCIAL DEPRESSION.
This county is in a depressed financial
condition at the present time. more so
than it has been Tor number Of years
past. The real estate transactions brought
a great deal of money into this county,
but then there has been a rejection and it
has flowed out again. So the merchant
and his customers do not entertain as
formerly did. Trade is exceedingly dull
at this time.
BAD ROADS.
Our public roads are in a deplorable
condition. There has been so much rain
and high waters that they have been
washed out and at many points rendered
almost impossible. Our merchants have
their wares hauled from Cleveland on
Church river, about thirty miles distant,
and II is said that there cannot be any
hauling done from that point until the
weather settles and the roads are repaired.
John Davis and Thomas Willis are going
TO leave this place and locate at the coming
city of Norton, in Wise . Their services
viii be sadly missed in this town.
Ephraim Mullens, prominent merchant
of Mcclure, this county, is said 10 be eriti-
cally Ill, as he has been for some time. DR..
Harding, of Lebanon, has been in attend
ance upon him and pronounces him hope
lessly i'll. He Is suffering from a serious
brain digOrder