Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-05
ANOTHER CASE

ANOTHER CASE.
Aonther case was that of j. w. Lewis,
of Chincoteague Island, charged with
dredging his own planted oysters con-
trary to law. The prosecution was start
ed by man named Jones. 1t was proved
by witnesses that Lewis had planted ms
oysters in the channel between Chinco-
league and Assateague, where on ac-
count Of the strong current, oysters can
not be taken with tongs except at low
water He could, therefore, work only an
hour or two every good day with tongs;
and IL was further proved that in
dredging hts own oysters he interfered
with the rights and property OF no other
person. There were three cases against
Lewis, and three separate juries were
summoned to try them. He pleaded
guilty as to the first two indictments,
and not guilty as to the third. The jury
found him guilty on each Of the first
two. and inflicted the minimum penalty
s. and Imprisonment in jail for one
minute in each case. on the third in
dictment he utterly routed his adyer-
sary. The JUICY without retiring rem
dered a verdict of not guilty. On leaving
the courthouse Lewis remarked that
he had beat the record. that he had been
tried three times on the same day, by
three turies; had been found guilty on
two counts: fined and sent to jail twice,
and then gone home at night For this
case alone seventy-two men were sum-
moned for jury service and about twenty
five witnesses. This ought to be a strik-
ing object lesson TO show that Virginia
needs either a new Constitution or a
radical revision of the statutes regulating
criminal procedure.
PASSED THE CENTURY MARK.
Mrs. Polly Crockett died several days
| ago on Sykes's Island, in the north
western part of Accomac. Her exact age
| IS not known, but II Is said that from
| authentic documents in existence 1t Is
safe 10 conclude that she had passed
the century mark Her husband-Planer
| Crockett-ls still living at tho advanced
age Of 103. They were married seventy
| five years ago.
The heirs OF the late Joseph @. Be
loate. who had determined to contest his
will, have withdrawn their objection, and
the will has been admitted to probate
The Rev. Henry l.. Derby, tho highly
esteemed rector OF the Episcopal churches
| In this parish, has been holding extra
services in the Episcopal church here
every Wednesday evening. Last We'd
nesday he preached on Aaron and Hur.
After the service was over two little
girls. aged about 10 years, were on their
way home. One Of them was heard 10
say to the other; did you hear what
awful grammar Mr.. Derby used to-
nightT' mo-" said the other; what
did he sayT' why he kept on saying
Aaron and Hur. when he ought TO have
said Aaron and She" replied the youth
full critic. When Mr.. Derby was IN
formed Of the incident he laughed very
heartily, and said 1t was good enough &c
be published.
The Rev. John Wesley Elliott. an aged
local preacher, OF the Southern Methodist
Church, is critically Ill at his home In
Locust Mont, a seaside village of Ac.
comac. Mr. Elliott Is the inventor OF
the famous Farmers Friend plow, and
has been in many respects a remarkable
man. It is said that he has probably
married and buried more people than any
other man in Virginia.
CRABBINB SEASON.
The oyster season being over the crab
bers are making preparations for opera
tons In that line of business. The
taking OF crabs has in recent years be
come a great industry in this part Of
the county. especially on the bay-side
where 1T is said more money is mad,
from crabs than from oysters.
Misses Alice and Blake Custls, OF Ac
comac have Just returned home from an
extended visit to friends and relative:
In Richmond. where they were the re
clpients OF many courtesies Like al
persons who visit Richmond. they are
delighted with the hospitality Of the
beautiful capital city Of Virginia.
Many old Confederates and Freema
sons from the Eastern Shore will at
tend the laying Of the cornerstone o
the monument TO be erected to the memo
~ OF President Jefferson Davis. II
Richmond, on the I'd day OF next July.