Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-29
ECCENTRIC MRS. CLARA PARNELL.
Her WIN Contested-Remsrkable NILS
haps TO Lawyers In the Case.

Her VIII Eontested-Remerkhble mis-
haps TO Lawyers In the Case.
tcorrssrondcncs OF tho Richmond Dispatch.l
Cg.sr Cr1r. Va, January 2s.--Some time
1eO there ago appeared In my cores
popdence in the DIsPATcH. and which at
irseted considerable notice, an account OF
AN eccentric lady. Mrs. Clara Parnell,
whose home was near here and who was
found dead IN her room at Atlantic CITY
surrounded bv dogs and cats. Her adopted
infant was with her and valuable diamonds
aud ieWelry and several thousand dollars
In money scattered about the room. She
left will giving all her property TO the
adopted child. She owned cotton planta-
tons in Mississippi and lands and stock
here, and her entire estate was valued
81 nearly $4,000. She was the daugh-
Ger Of an Episcopal minister. married
IA early life. had u son grown up to whom
che was devoted who died of fever, then
her husband died, and her life OF seclusion
commenced. She never allowed her horses
a. DO worked or her cattle used for any
purpose. Her dogs and cats. twenty-five
Or thirty in number, were her only COM
plniOnR She is said to have believed IN
the transmigiatlon OF souls, and that her
ems and husbands we're in her domestic
animals, which were entitled to her tender
care and protection.
SINGULAR FATALITY.
Mr.. John S. Westcott, attorney, of At
iAntic City, was here this week taxing
depositlons In regard to the contest OF her
will now in the New Jersey courts. The
contestants, who are Der relatives, claim
that she was incapable TO make a will. her
habits of lite and belief in the opinions of
rgthagoras TRANSPORTATION OF souls
disqualified her TO make disposition OF
her property. MIR. Westcott informed me
that a singular fatality had attended coun-
Gel in this litigation. One lawyer, who had
gone 20 Mississippi to take dispositions,
bal contracted fever and died in returning
nom there. Mr.. Westcott was IN rail-
road accident, came near being killed, and
lost everything except the. clothes he was
sleeping in; and now his dispositions here
bad 10 stop because his associate counsei
from Lunenburg, Mr.. l. b. Bell. was taken
with pneumonia and was extremely i'll.
THEY RAVE IT.
Dr. Jan o. w. Oliver told me yesterday II
VISA mistaken idea prevailing that negroes
4 did not have the grip. lie knew 10 the re-
4 verse. as he had several patients with the
teritable mGlady.
The public schools will soon close in this
district. A session of Ave months il all
Che funds will Justly. 1t is unfortunate for
The children TO lose seven months out OF
iselve at an age when they are so eager to
4 81 an education.
LARGE OFFERINGS.
The offerings of tobacco during this
4 Month have been very light. The weather
4 J. too uDfavorable for handling.
THIS is our first ice spell aud il is being
% cured to-day. The weather Is windy
and cold
Notwithstanding all the wet weather
many farmers are ploughing this week and
Bay the land was in good order.
Cards OF invitation are out for the mar
tAge on the 90 proximo of Professor
Harry n. Philips. Of the Smithville Male
Academy, 10 Miss Annie Il. Maddox,
daughter Of the late Rufus q. Maddux,
former cashier Of the Bank of Chase City.
Commercial travellers are now plentiful
Occurring orders tor the spring trade.