Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-16
THE RICHMOND DISPATCH sUNDAY. DECEMBER IS, 1884.
PENIS WITNESSES.
-FOUR PERSONS INDICTED FOR SPIRIT
ING THEM AWAY.
The Extraordinary Escnpe OF Convict Sonn
Ward Naturalization and School
House--A Tobacco Glut.


ND all business, and has adjourned, after
a session OF two weeks. The grand
Jurors. all business men. were glad
when they were discharged for the
term, one OF them. the foreman. stat
ing 10 the Court that their business
was suffering. The grand jury dived
down deep into the matter OF spiriting
away the witnesses in the case OF the
Commonwealth against Thomas j. Penn
for criminal assault on a 1i-year-old col
ored girl, but indicted only four persons.
These were baied for their appearance
at the January term OF court. The Wit
nesses. however. are still at large. ana
many persons believe they will never
be found.
Many people are of the opinion that
PENIS case will never come TO trial, ana
that when court meets in January he VIII
be let out of jail, where he has been
since September LIST, while others contend
that he can be held indefinitely. what
the outcome will be is mere conjecture
but 1t will be known in January when
side is correct.
JOHN WARD ADKINS.
John Ward Adkins. who escaped from
q deputy sheriff OF the county last 1ues-
day morning at the depot, while en- route
to the penitentiary for twelve years TOT
the murder Of his uncle. Caleb Adkins
ST.. has not been heard or since. lie
could not more effectually have disap-
peared from sight II the earth had swal-
lowed him. Sheriff overly has ohered
a reward Of 500 for his recovery, but the
reward Is slow In bringing him back.
Adkins, so 1t is said. worked snort
time In the cotton mill in this city. lie
must, undoubtedly, have had one or more
pals at the depot, who helped him 10
escape. The following is fun description
OF Adkins: Height six feet, gray eyes,
dark hair slightly tinged with gray; dark
mustache, no whiskers: age, ~ years.
pale from a years confinement in JAIL
raw-boned. walks erect with head thrown
back, speaks slowly and seldom smiles,
sullen and morose in disposition, farmer
by occupation. chews tobacco. weighs
about 165 pounds; had on old, faded, dark
cutaway coat, and pants worn out at
heel; new black SLOUGH hat. dark woollen
shirt No. S1-2 new gaiter shoes; coat
had patch on tail; not married; both
hands were handcuffed together.
AN OPEN MISSION.
since Inc 1OullB Men > tIliIstiui hoSS-
citation went to the wall Danville has had
no place that strangers coming TO the
city could 90 to read or enjoy religious
services. unless they happened here on
some night when there were services or
a pTayer-meeting night. Some months
ago the Methodist Laymen's Union set in
motion the project 10 establish an open
mission. 1t was taken up by the Methodist
congregations and a liberal contribution
made toward the enterprise. Conference
sent young preacher here to take charge
Of the work. and the doors will soon
be open. 1t is believed by many that
numbers Of young men who do not 90
TO church will be induced to visit this
mission and hear the Gospel. as it Is IN
tended to hold divine services nightly
1t is work that has been needed here
for some time.
NEW SCHOOL BUILDING.
For some time the colored children have
been attending a school here, the build
ing being deemed, however, very unsafe
The matter was brought 10 the attention
of the council and referred to a special
committee. The people who are property
holders objected to a schOOl-hOuse being
erected OF the site of the old one. and
the committee cast about to secure a
suitable location as well as q suitable lot
They finally found both. reported the
result of their work 10 the council and
the lot was ordered purchased. They
have also submitted plans for the new
building. which have bcca accepted and
bids asked for the building Of the school
house. The structure will be Of brick.
A GRAND SIGHT.
There was witnessed one day this week
one OF the greatest sights that has been
seen for many months. Much tobacco is
brought to this market In wagons. and
some Of them come many miles. on the
day mentioned the Main street in Neapo-
lis became blocked with these vehicles
coming over to Danville. and when they
arrived in this city they completely hung
up travel, owing TO the fact that some
wanted to go one way and some another
IT reminded one of 1.-THE days that tried
mems souls" when shell or two fired
from howitZer or PARROT gun at a train
OF army wagons TO see the drivers hee-
haw, Jee up, ETC.. and then see them
get tangled up. and every driver ready
10 take TO the woods. But order was soon
gotten out Of chaos. and everything
moved along smoothly. At one ware
house that night there were ll5 wagons
all being unloaded and the weed piled
on the floor. All this means holiday is
approaching, and the planter wants a
little change.
HYMENIAL
On the 18th Of this month Miss Hattie
Bunger, daughter of Mr.. Lewis Bunger.
and sister of Mr.. Walter Bunger, a for
mer compositor on the Dispatch. will be
married TO Mr.. J. r. Blair The cere-
mony will take place at 4:30 p. NJ. in
Neapolis
On the Goth instant a marriage will
take place at the Baptist church. Neapo-
lis. and the bride and groom will take
a trip to Florida.
The greatest social event that has
taken place in Neapolis for many a long
day VIII be marriage early in January.
1t VIII be huge affair, and many are
looking forward TO the event
NEW CHURCH.
The members OF Calvary Baptist church
(colored) are hard at work securing funds
with which TO build n new church. This
congregation Is composed largely Of some
of the best colored people in this citv
They have the ground paid for and the
plans and specifications for the building
have been drawn. When completed n
will be the handsomest church structure
owned by colored people in all this sec