Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-12
SKILFUL T'HIEyERY
Two Colorcd individuals Cad6ht With
Pigs in Bags.
SIR. NEWCOMERS G-MONTHy STORY.
His singular Condition from the
Time He Left the steamer Alabama
Until He Found iimseN In new
Orleans.

| PETERSBURG, VA. April 1l.-(spe-
ciai.)- some time past thefts nave
been committed on the premises OF the
state Central Asylum near this city. put
I'm such a skllful manper as to defy de-
lection. However. the developments OF
last night seem TO have given much iight
on the matter. 4 watch was set, and the
game was detected. Unfortunate to relate,
two Of the colored employees Of the asy-
| lum were detected I'm the act of robbery.
They were stealing pigs at the time'
and were brought momentarily TO bay by
officers of the institution. who were on
the watch. Austin Stands and Edward
| Wilson, two OF the trusted colored en-
| ployees Of the asylum and against whom
no suspicion had rested. were the parties
alleged 10 have been caught In the act.
Two pigs were found In Their bags. Shands
WIS arrested but Wilson escaped.
Stands was carried before Magistrate Ge-
row. of Dinwiddie county. today, and was
bailed for trial in the sum or wv.
DAMAGE BY THE FRESHET.
The sudden freshet caused by the heavy
rains OF Monday resulted in serious
damage TO the bridges over the streams
in Chesterfield county. Besides; Branders
bridge, several other public bridges were
washed away. and the county VIII be
nut To the expense OF rebuilding them.
The Appomattox river has fallen con-
slderably. but not until a good deal Of
damage had ben done to our wharyes
and the property thereon.
MIR. JESSE NEWCOMERS STORY.
Mr.. Jesse VI. Newcomb. prominent
r of usf ma
years done a prosperous business on Boil
l!ngbrOok street, who recently returned
10 his home and family after a prolonged
and unaccountable absence. to-day gave
an account OF his disappearance and
long absence 10 a representative of the
press. He said:
when | arrived In Baltimore last Sep
tembcr I stopped at the CarroltOn Ho-
tel During the day (which WAS Monday
| visited several business houses and in
the afternoon was completely exhausted.
After leaving the store OF Messrs. Har-
Vcy q Go. / went 10 the hotel, got my
small grip. and proceeded TO the Bay
Line wharf, when purchased my ticket.
/ told the purser that | wanted the cool
est room on tne boat. no matter what
on the hurricane deck. As | was going
10 my room / met three drummers wnOm
/ knew-Mr. Monroe. vino travels for
meat house. and Mr.. Holland a cigar
drummer. are the names Of two OF them.
! remarked 10 these two gentlemen that
| was very warm, and that | was going
up to my room. and would see them
again Arriving at my room ! stripped
TO the waist and took a bath and put
on clean clothing. as my shirt. and even
my vest was wet through with perspira-
ton. remember lying down 10 rest.
but how or when / got of the boat | do
not know. ! presume | must have gotten
off at Canton.
- had only about $40 when got to
Baltimore about So of which | spent
that day in buying articles for my wife
and children. | must have had. there
fore. in the neghborhood If 81 when /
purchased my ticket for Norfolk.
IN NEW ORLEANS
Being in my state-roOm On the Ala
bama is the last thing | remember, units
one day, nearly six months after. ! sud
denly came 10 myself in New Orleans.
AT the time | was actually engaged IN
business-selinG a load of bananas which
/ had purchased. The driver Of the wagon
had delivered for me all but three
lunches. when | asked where | was. He
replied New Orleans. and told me thai
he was delivering bananas for me. I
felt in my pocket, and finding ! had $40,
told him TO show me the way to the
depot. but he remarked that ! ought to
let him deliver the bananas and take
me To my boarding house so / did so.
The last three lunches Of bananas de-
livered the man asked me what he owed