Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-01-24
THE NOTICE OF SUIT.
Memorandum Of Massey Us. The Pilot
for $4,000.
ACTION And THOSE INVOLVED.
Includes All Members Of the Publishing
Compnny-A Portsmouth Church On
Firc-Laura Ward Case.

NORFOLK, VA. January 23--(Spe-
cial)-fion. John +. Massey, Superintend-
ent OF Public instruction in Virginia. ar
rived in the city from Richmond at noon
today and went to the Atlantic Hotel,
where he was in consultation with his
counsel, Messrs. Thorn * Nicely, with re-
gard to entering his libel suit against the
Norfolk Pilot for publications made in
that paper concerning his connection with
alleged crooked dealing with the Ameri-
can Book Company Mr.. Massey said he
was in favor Of entering the suit not only
against the Pilot Publishing Company,
but against the stockholders as well, but
this matter he said he had left in the
hands OF his counsel to do what in their
judgment is best.
TO PRESS IT RAPIDLY.
He had instructed his counsel, he said.
to press 1t as rapidly as the process Of
the court will permit.
This afternoon the clerk of the court
received from Messrs. Neely & Thorn.
counsel, the following memorandum of the
SUIT. which Is the only document fled in
the case thus far. 1t not being necessary
to file the declaration at this time:
"Nirginia-In the Circuit Court for the
city of Norfolk. to-wit: John f.. Massey.
plaintiff. VS.. the Pilot Publishing Com
pany-Samuel W. Small. W. W. Gibbs.
Luther Sheldon. r. Y. Zachary. w b.
Wilder. John l.. Roper u. Humphreys. 5.
.. Collins, c. W. Kellinger J. W. Borum.
5. y. Brckhouse. Ira T. White. Frank
busch, r. G. White, c. f. Verdier, and
II. l.. Byrd. DEFENDANTS"
DAMAGES &O.O00.
Action Of trespass on the case. Pro-
cess returnable to the first rules in Feb
rulry. Damages $1,000.
Direct summons for r. T.. Byrd % the
Sergeant Of the City of Winchester.
This suit arises out Of the charge ma ie
by the Pilot that Mr. Massey was brbed
by the American Book Company to So
cure that company's contracts with the
State of Virginia for furnishing books 70
the public schools. helchlrges made by
the Pilot affect Governor OFerrall. AMI
The Hon. r. Taylor Scott. Attorney-G enc
raj Of the State. who are with Mr. Mas
sey, the Board Of Education, which gives
out the contracts. The trial Of the case,
which promises to De a celebrated one.
will be watched by the people of Vir-
ginia AMI Of the entire country with
great Interest.
This morning the Unlon Mission church.
new building recently erected on Chest
nut street, near County, in Ports
mouth, was discovered on fire, and in a
short time was entirely gut,ed. and only
small portion saved by the fremen.
The upper story Of the builiing was
used by Seaside Council, Orier Of Chosen
Friends, and the entire council property
WAS burned and lost. The properly IN
the worship-roOm on the lower floor was
also lost. The fire was the result of an
accident. and the property destroyed was
mostly insured.
ALL DISCHARGED But ONE.
The several negroes arrested ana
lodged In Norfolk-county Jail on suspi-
clon of completely i'm the murder OF the
white woman. Laura Ward. whose body
was found on the Norfolk and Western
railroad track last week. had a prelimi-
nary hearing before Justice y. w.
Hawks at the jail this morning. All bur
one Of the negroes were discharged from
custody J. II. Martin was sent to jail
10 be held ten days longer. II looks as
~ the woman was killed on the railroad.
after all
General T.. VI. Henry was reelected
r.esident Of the Buslness-Mens Associa-
y.n at the annual meeting of the body
last nigh,
WILL. ATTEND NARDI GRAS.
The Norfolk Light-Artillery Blues de-
clded last night TO attend the Mardl-
Gras festivities in New Orleans next
month
The erection Of a large planning
and box and ok-factory for the Roa>
noke Lumber Company is about to be
added To the Improvements at Moner
Point. and he ready for operations the
first of April.