Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-03-09
NOT YET CLEARED UP
NO CLUE TO THE WHEREABOUTS OF
The MISSING NEGRO JAMES.
Intense Excitement Among Prince George
Negroes-Mr. waverIy Smith in Dan
ger--FroEen 20 Death.
rcorrcspondence OF tho R,cnmond Disp.,cfAI

Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispstchl
PETERSBURG. Va, March s.-The mystery
surrounding the disappearance OF the col
ored man Walter James, in Prince George
county, has not yet been cleared M,
though II has now been five weeks since.
with his rations in his hand, he went into
Blaokwatcr Swamp TO cut timber in COM
psuy with other parties. James Is given
Q good character for honesty, steadiness.
aud faithful work. and the general belief
u that he was murdered, though for what
cause cannot be imagined, as II was never
known that no had done any harm 10 any
person. Several days ago ~ was reported
that Jnmes's dead body had been found
upon the City Point railroad, but this
rumor was found to be untrue. Last eve
ming. rs a weil-known citizen was riding
along the pubic road on his way home, he
was met 10y an excited negro, who an
bounced that Jamos's body. all cut 20
pieces. had been found in the hog-pen
on n certain farm near by. The gentleman
went to the place designated, but found
the report to be untrue.
PRECAUTIONS TAgYS.
But he subsequently found so much ex-
citement existing among the negroes That
he thought II best for the preservation of
the peace TO act very promptly. After
consultation with friends he deemed IL
wise TO visit the home OF Mr.. Waverly
Smith. the unfortunate gentleman who Is
suspected by the negroes OF the county OF
having guilty knowledge of tho killing OF
James. and TO remove him to place OF
secret and safe-keeping. This was done
aud Mr. Smith slept last night in an un-
SUSPECTED place. The negroes OF the
county are much excited about the affair
and are making every possible effort to
ferret II out.
ANOTHER CoCKING-MAIS.
A cocking-main upon which good deal
of money changed hands was fought hero
TO day between the "up-tOwD" and
downtown" people. The first light was
a shake bag the uptown showing
blsck-gray cock, weighing ca pounds,
with 2Js-iDch gaffs, and the down
town" blue-black chicken, weigh
ing ID pounds. with 3-inch gafs. The
latter was whipped. though neither
cock was killed. In the second hght
two red cocks were pitted, armed with
1z-inch gafs, no weights. The battle
lasted fifteen minutes and was a hard
fought one. The uptown" chicken had
his wing broken early IN the engagement
and was killed at the end of fineen min
utes. Before his death. however, he broke
one OF his CATS of short IN the breast OF
bis opponent. Some two hundred and
fifty persons were present at the main. and
bets on the separate fights were numerous.
FROZEN TO DEATH.
A young colored man named Thomas
f3eauregard Clark was frozen to death on
Saturday night last near his home. nj
Clover-Hill Pits. IN Chesterfield county.
1t appears that on Saturday night he bad
been drinking rather freely and was unable
10 get TO his home. He fell asleep on his
way thither and on Monday morning was
found dead and stiff frozen. No inquest
was deemed necessary.
A slight IRE occurred of the Club-Hous
this morning. but the prompt use OF water
extinguished the flames.