The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-24
SENSATIONAL TRIAL.
Floyd Baker Gets Two Years For
Seduction.

MAHTlNsvlLLE, Va, Nov. 23.-[Spe-
ciall-Tho trial OF Floyd Barker, for
the seduction OF Mary Mcdonald, at tho
VILLAGE of Axton, in this county, was
cor cluded in the county court ycster-
day, tho jury finding for tho State and
fixing the punishment at two wears.
AS 4 morbid sensation this case has
clGimed unusual popular attention and
the time of the court for week. Great
thrOngS crowded the court room all
through the long proceedings Barker
rs n young man of previous good stand
ing and is a memaer of large family
in Henry and Pittsylvania counties
Tho victim in tho case and tho chiei
witness for the State was Mary Melon.
AID young and beautiful deaf mute OF
more than ordinary grace and accou,
plishment. She is we'll educated and is
remarkably we'll informed. She lived
with her mother ut the village of AK
ton and there she mot Barker, who made
love TO her and, under false promise
Of marriage. accomplished her ruin.
He refused her appeals for redress
and attempted to buy his peace by offors
OF o considerable sum of money. The
facts of the girls fall soon leaked out
and popular indignation ran dangerously
At alHoO SuO DuC conservative
counsel prevailed and deferred to the
test of vindication at law, with the
result noted. The chief point OF the
defense was to prove that the girl was
of previous doubtful character. It failed
signally. That the jury found for only
two years has excited many expressions
of hearty disapproval.
Burglars made a water haul in rob.
bling the Martinsville postoftice last
Saturday night. They broke in and en-
tered rear window and rifled the cash
drawer, but as the valuables of the of.
fee were locked up in vault, the
burglars got only Sc in old coins, accu-
mulated by the postmaster. The public
was not informed OF the robbery, but
the'case was put in the hands of detec.
tives OF once. Some of the old coins
made theiryway into store Monday
morning, and they gave the burglars
away. Mack Michael, 4 negro Of good
character and an unusually good rec.
ord, was arrested and confessed the
crime His accomplice has not been
arrested.
The offerings of the 1892 crop of to-
bacco in warehouse floors provo the
claims of the farmers made early in the
fall that the crop is OF fine quality.
This fact is pleasing to the leaf men
and manufacturers as both classes have
largely increased their facilities for
handling and storing che leaf Last
year Martinsville warehouses had all
they could do to handle; the five mil
lion pounds OF leaf marketed hore, and
the leaf men and plug manufacturers
found difficulty to provide proper stor-
age room. There is now mPle capacity
to manage the seven million pounds
which, at reasonable xpec:ation, will
ri nd fq tO No In
OF the present tobacco year.
This industry is making great strides
at Martinsville. Not to mention the
three millions of plug that will be man
ufactured, the sale of seven million
pounds OF leaf at the average of $40 per
hundred pounds means the active circu-
lation in the next twelve months OF
100000. j. A. Brown, cashier of the
Henry county bank, who is thoroughly
posted on the status Of financial affairs
in the territory trading with Martins
vile, says that while it will take great
deal OF money to handle tho big bust
ness in tobacco, our people can stand it
and are able to meet the demands of
this business. He adds, that, with a
long experience in banking here, he has
never seen so substantial business
prospect as the Immediate future now
holds for Martinsville and her feed
ing" country.
While snow Whitley tips the distant
mountain tops no halt has been called
in the building BOOM which Sc in las,
April and has continued with unbroken
swell. More than 100000 were spent
in buildings here this year and tho in
dications point TO more extensive opera.
tions for 1898.
The water bonds voted by the town
h haan noa cd II
the preliminary steps taken toward
hrst.class water supply.
chapter of Royal Arcanum will be
established here. The charter me IN.
bers are good men and the chapter will
BIO a success from the beginning.
Rev. A. S. Morrison, pastor of the
Christian Church, has received call to
prosperous congregation in Central
New York. The proffered salary is in
line of large promotion. Rev. Mr. Nor
rison is big, brawny man, with schol-
arship and will power enough to make
first-class practical success Of his pas.
torate anywhere.
Cards announce the marriage of j.
Letcher English 10 Miss Gertrude Whit.
taker at New Market, Tenn Nov. 49,
The prospective bride is we'll known at
Martinsville, and her approaching
nuptials claim social attention enough.
Frank w. Thomas, a Martinsville
boV who 10 enc CT the numerous Henry
county colony at Roanoke, spent Sun.
day at Martinsville.
Chas. l.. Putzel, another colonist
aforesaid, also spent several days he e.
He was cordially greeted on all sides.
WATCH for the grand street parade Of
the b. r. johnson Minstrels to-day at
noon,