Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-05-31
THREW AN IyxsTAND.
Lively Time I'm Court In BEDFORD
CIty-PersonaI Notes.

CIty-PersonnI Notes.
BEDFORD CITY. VA, May 3o.-(Spe-
cial)-Quite a breeze OF excitement was
created in the courtroom Thursday MORN
ing during the progress Of a suit for
damages for 5000 OF NJ. II. Wigganton
against Patrick Simmons. before Judge
Dupuy.. Of the Circuit Court.
The trial had been in progress all OF
the week, and had attracted much at
tention and many spectators The coun-
sci employed were Graham Clayton ana
Nelson Sale, Esqs.. for the plaintiff, and
j. Hampton Hoge. Esq, Of Roanoke,
and p. II. Dillard. Esq. OF Franklin
county. for the defence. During the ar
euments Mr.. Clayton made reference TO
the past political record OF Mr. Hoge.
styling him a renegade Democrat" 70
which the latter responded with much
warmth and q protest against such treat
ment upon his first appearance before
this court and a Bedford jury Mr.. Clay
tor, who became much excited, threw
an inkstand at Mr.. Hoge, which struck
him in the side and scattered the INK
in very promiscuous manner.
Mr. Hoge at once advanced upon MT
Clayton and aimed a blow at his head
which only grazed the cheek, as his
progress was arrested by several gentle
men, who caught and held him.
The Judge promptly fined both gentle
men for contempt OF court, fixing the
penalty at 800 As soon as the excite
ment had somewhat subsidized Mr.. Clay
tor made an apology TO Mr. Hoge for his
hasty behavior. which was at once ac-
cepted and the little unpleasantness was
satisfactorily and amicably adjusted. the
interest excited by this episode quite
a., xghf oh there
had been fifty witnesses examined as 10
the question at issue between the par
ties. and the. fact that there was a
hung Jury I'm the case excited little COM
ment.
Several lawyers qualified TO practice be-
fore this court, among whom were
Messrs j. =. Lee, Of Rocky Mount; j.
Hampton Hoge; II. o. HUMPHREYS
formerly Of Lynchburg. but now residing
here, and John Goldsby. Of Lynchburg
a colored man. the second lawyer OF
HIS race who has ever qualified to prac-
tice here.
A GREAT PITY.
The row Of noble naples that for forty
years has stood sentry In front or
the old Hotel Buchenbrook, fifteen I'm
number the admiration Of all who see
them and enjoy their protecting shade
are 10 be cut down by the decree Of the
authorities of the Norfolk and West
ern railroad. TO make way for some I'M
provements in front OF the freight depot
at this point and below. new track
connecting with the lower switch, is TO
be laid. which will Increase the number
TO four. The object Is 10 be able 10
supply a greater number of engines with
water at one time from the upper tank
The naples that are 10 be cut down
are of unusual height and beauty, ana
have become landmarks in the town; and
there is general regret at the sacrifice
IJpon a tOrTid day in midsummer the
shade Is most grateful to the pedestrians
and. as the passenger trains come rush
ing in from the glare OF sunlight into
the shadow Of the interlacing and sweep
ing branches OF these grand trees, the
traveller is filled with a grateful sense
of relief. But the prayer Of "Woodman'
spare that tree" is Of no avail 70 the
iron heart Of a railroad.
A PASTOR CALLED.
Rev. r. w Jones who is very ori-
ginal and vigorous thinker, ana an I'M
usually able preacher, now rector Of ST.
Johns Episcopal church. has under con-
sideradon a very nattering call TO Mar
shall. Tex. His people earnestly hope
that he will decide to remain here.
Rev. j. II. Whitley. pastor of the Nc
thodist church has concluded very IN
teresting series of sermons styled THE
Story of the Words Morning" Mr..
Whitley gains daily in influence in his
church and the community. and IS very
popular both as a preacher and citizen.
Rev. r. b. Eggleston, the young pas
tor OF the Presbyterian church, who was
summoned to Hampden-Sidney last week
on account Of the Illness Of his father,
who died soon after his arrival, has re-
turned home. Mrs. Eggleston. who ac-
companied him. is now visiting her mo-
Their. Mrs. Wills. OF Louisa.
The house Of Mr.. Howard, near town,
was during a recent storm struck by
lightning and burned. lie saved most
of his household effects. and moved them
into another house near by In the
storm of Tuesday the lightning struck
this house and. glancing downward. killed
a number of chickens in the yard.
There have been frequent scasonable
rains Of late. and vegetation IS flourish
ing. Thursday night there was was a
rapid fall in the mercury, and Friday
was quite cold and windy.
There are very few social gatherings
during the week. The Fifteen Club was
very charmingly entertained Thursday
afternoon at the beautiful home, on Ash
land avenue, of Mrs. James Nichols. the
secretary
The Gay Jewellers" met at the resi-
dence of Miss Emma oliver, and spent a
joyous evening.
The baccalaureate sermon at Belmont
Seminary will be delivered tomorrow al
the Presbyterian church by Rev. d. w.
Mebane, Of Radford.