Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-10
AN IMPORTANT CASE.
IS THE cITY's TITLE TO PROPERTY
SOLD FOR TAXES VALID.
Sudden Death Of Mr.. Bruce Pannill ut
shreveport, La.--Isequests Len by Mr.
D'Alton--The ThacI<er Will.

PETERSBURG. VA. February 9.-tspe-
cial )-Mention has been made In this cor
respondence Of the ejectment-suit OK Eve
lyn s. Jones vs. L. T. Patteson. the triai
OF which was commenced In the circuit
Court Of this city before Judge Hancock
and Jury several days ago. The case ~
one that excites a good deal OF interest,
because OF It's general importance. Cap
tain Patteson purchased a piece OF pro-
perty. which after due notice. was sold
at public auction by the city for Delinquent
taxes. The property was not redeemeu
by the owner within the time prescribed by
law, and the city. by formal deed. trans
ferred the property to the purchaser. Now
comes the plaintiff with a suit for eject
ment. and the claim that the city deed to
the property Is Illegal and therefore void.
To say that the result Of the case Is one
of Importance rs the simple truth, because
~ the city cannot give title TO the property
II sells every year for delinquent taxes. 1t
will not be able to enforce collection OF
such taxes. The Judge has rendered opin-
ions OF several questions that have been
raised--among them that Of the admission
OF parole evidence. The case Will not be
COncluued TOT uay OF TWO yet
SAD INTELLIGENCE.
Relatives In this city to-day received a
telegram announcing the sudden death
this morning In Shreveport, La. OF Mr.
Bruce Pannill. one of Petersburg's most
popular and beloved young citizens. Mr.,
Pannill had for some time been travel
ling for Messrs T. G. Williams 81 Co., OF
Richmond. The announcement OF his sud
den death caused general sorrow among
our people. to whom he was so well known
He leaves an aged mother and sister
and many relatives. Mr.. Pannill was one
of the finest baritone singers In the South
and his voice has often been heard In
Richmond and Norfolk. as well IA In Pc
tersburg The body will be embalmed and
brought to Petersburg for interment.
WILLS PROBATED.
In the Hastings Court to-day the VIII
of the late James I. Dalton was ad-
admitted to probate. His brother. MT
Frank Dalton, will qualify as executor.
The will provides that after payment OF
debts of the deceased the following be-
quests shall be paid: To the kittle Sisters
of the Poor. Richmond. $500; Petersburg
Orphan Asylum, 800; st. Joseph's Catho-
lie church. for a memorial window. $500;
st. Joseph's new church fund. 900; 10
each of his brothers. 1900. and TO each
of his three married sisters. 800. The
remainder OF the estate Is left TO the
wife and children. Mr.. Dalton left hfe-
insurance policies to the amount OF sliVo.
The value OF the estate is between
s6OO 900 and $4,000. The will was written
by deceased a short time before his fatal
Illness.
The will of the late Henry Thacker was
also admitted to probate to-day. MT.
James A. Thacker qualifying as executor
in the sum of $500.
The evangelistic meetings held In uni
son by the Presbyterian, Methodist. and
Baptist denominations have created deep
interest in the community and great
numbers have professed faith The noon
day meetings are crowded and the night
meetings overflow.