Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-15
MRS. BARTON LEAVES
She Goes TO lev York to Visit HG
Friend, Mrs. Lamb.
MAY SEE HER HUSBAND THERE.
He Is Said TO Be En- Route 20 the
Metropolis from the Northwest
Where He Has Been Travelling
Effects of the Mechaniss' Liens.


sides at Barton Heights. She left for New
York yesterday morning. as foretold n
the Dispatch, and IL does not seem to
be at all certain that she will return to
the locality where her home has been
made for the last seven years.
Mrs. Barton closed the splendid family
residence several days ago, and became
the guest Of intimate friends. with whom
she remained until early yesterday MORN
ing. when she took her departure. She
left the Heights on the first car coming
into the city and took the o'clock train
for New York, where she will visit her
friend. Mrs Mary Lamb. who has gene
rously invited her TO become a member OF
her household as long as she many find 10
agreeable to do so.
There IL little doubt that Mrs. Barton
was glad to leave Richmond. She has
passed through a very trying ordeal since
the failure OF her husband which was
followed in few days by disclosures OF
transactions OF a questionable character.
The situation has grown more embar-
RAISING as the investigation OF affairs has
progressed, and OF late people have spoken
less kindly of the founder OF this popular
suburb.
TWO REASONS FOR LEAVING.
1t was said a week or two ago that
Mrs. Barton would not leave the Heights
for some time. and 1t is thought that she
had two reasons for changing her deter
mination In this respect. One was that
she did not care to remain here after the
county grand jury had returned three
true bills OF indictment against her hus-
band for obtaining money by false repre-
sentatlon, and the other was that In n
letter recently written 10 friend In
Little Rock, which was given to the press
there and copied here, Mrs. Barton made
an allusiOn 10 the people OF Bar
ton Heights which, though evidently
not so Intended, might be construed
10 them as unwarranted and unpleasant.
In this letter sho spoke most kindly OF
her treatment, and went so far as to
say; "Ihe universal sentiment OF these
people towards me is such Kindness and
such love and sympathy as can only
come to the human heart through Divine
love- Ii was the words, plain, aver
age people, in the following sentence.
that is said to have caused embarrass-
ment to the writer, who heard that ex-
ceptlons had been taken 10 them: The
purses OF most OF them are poor, and
many OF them are plain, average people,
but their hearts are full OF Divine SYM
pathy and for the time being partake
OF tie Divine nature"
The deepest sympathy IS felt for Mrs.
Barton, who is a most lovable lady. and
made n great many friends here. She
took an active interest in charitable and
benevolent work, as well as in church
| matters
WHERE MIR. BARTON is.
The impression prevails here that Bar
ton will see his wife within the next
few days, possibly to-day. When he
left here. early on the Tuesday MORN
Ing after his deed OF assignment had
been filed. II was said that he had gone
North to try and secure funds with
which to straighten out his affairs here.
There is now good reason for believ-
Ing that instead of being In the
| North, Barton has been In the far North
west, and 1t is said that he Is now en-
| route TO New York. Whether or not
letters have been received here from HIM
since his departure Is an open question.
| but 1t Is not at all unlikely that some OF
those close 10 him have heard from him,
either directly or indirectly Mrs. BAR
ton told Dispatch reported a few days
after he went away that letter had
|
he hoped soon to return and straighteu
up matters.
No steps have az yet been taken 10
have Barton apprehended. and II Is not
known what course will be followed by
| the county authorities
EFFECT OF THE LIENS.
Mr. L. o. wendenburg. counsel for
Messrs. r. B. Felthaus. Joseph Heppert.
and J. II. Williams e. Co. the contractors.
| who filed mechanics liens Friday on
/ fifteen residences on the Heights, in dis
cussing his action yesterday, said that
the liens would naturally result In a
fight, which would probably eventuate
In the Supreme Court OF Appeals, but hs
thought he would be able to have his
Hens sustained. The law. he said. does
not permit mechanics lien to be filed
after thirty days have elapsed after tho
completion OF the building. Mr.. Wenden-
burg contends. however. that none OF tho
| buildings were absolutely completed until
few days ago. some work was done
| on all OF them very recently by direction
| Of Mr.. Barton.
The Supreme Court recently handed
| down decision bearing on this question
| which would Indicate that the liens will
| BE- sustained II the work recently done IL
| construed 10 be the completion OF one or
more contracts. A builder. on contract.
eIecteu TWO houses tOr party, and within
| thirty days after the last ons
was completed. fled a lien on both. The
owner contended that as the first house
had been completed several months be-
fore. the lien could only apply TO the
last house The supreme Court ruled that
both buildings were included In the con.
tract. and that the restrictions placed BY
law were applicable only 10 the contract
and that the liens should be fled within
thirty days after the completion OF tho
contract. and therefore all the buildings
| included In the contract were subject to
| the lien.
This. Mr. Wendenburg asserts, is exactly
| the situation on Barton Heights
| The fifteen houses on which he has f!led
liens were all built under one contract.
entered into by Mr. Felthaus with Mr..
Barton The last house was completed
less than thirty days ago. and. therefore.
| the lawyer contends that all the houses
| erected under the contract are subject