Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-25
THEY SHOOK HANDS.
Remarkable Scene fin Nortbumbcr-
lind (ircnit CONT.

land Circuit Court.
IITATHSVILLE. VA. March A-(Spe-
caIJ-The Thrift-Blackwell SANDER suit.
which was taken up in our Circuit Court
cl last Tuesday. has been the subject
OK much comment throughout our county.
Tho hearing has been attended by very
good crowds every day. The case was
brought TO a very abrupt close on last
friday afternoon by a compromise. AS
LAS been stated I'm a former issue Of the
Dispatch, this suit was the outcome OF a
lihculty between two Of the prominent
citizens Of our county, In which, under
the sway Of passion. certain charges were
made which resulted i'm much bitter feel
ing As the AFFAIR occurred some time
ago. and as both OF the parties to the
suit are very prominent citizens OF this
county, it was greatly hoped that an
nm.cahle settlement could be made Of the
matter without resort TO the courts, but
this could not be enectcd. and after many
continuanccs the suit came up at this
term Of the court. There were about
fifty witnesses I'm the case, amongst whom
were many Of the best citizens of our
county and Westmoreland.
AN IDLE RUMOR.
As the evidence was sifted down slowly
that the charges were utterly untrue.
GUI were nothing more than am idle
rmor which sprung ~ years ago. and
which had been commented on and Cos
trfti about until Il had assumed large
proportions. As witness after witness
was placed on the stand II was demon
.tratsd yeTy Concluslvely that the rumor
sreW out Of an incident connected with
,re sale OF a parsonage in Westmoreland
-.llry many years ago, and as the trial
proceeded from day TO day It became
very evident In the minds OF all who
heard the evidence that the matter
amounted 20 nothing. Even the defend
b.t when placed on the stand. came out
la- u honorable man and stated that
Willie be had believed the charges were
uae when he uttered them. and had be-
uDrcl them up ID the time Of the trial,
s., after hearing the evidence Of men
81 .I.l un4uestiOned character. he did
nov himself believe they were false. and
wae willing 10 make the proper amends.
\ SURPRISE
Stl. Il was somewhat OF a surprise
o. the spectators when Attorney Hatha-
way. after % hurried consultation late
Friday afternoon, when most of the inn
pomart witnesses had been examined.
announced that the plaintiff had felt that
th stigma had been removed from his
r0't name by the evidence already g;ven,
trl a. The defence had made a propCsi-
ton to pay the costs. that proposition
would tc accepted. and the case would
b. dropped.
Knowing the harsh feeling hat had
t".n created by the suit Attorney Smith
i1fl rose % his feet, and made a short
Ar4 touching address on behalf of the
Two men ana explaining his feelings IL
-ctrg the case.
l' e9.rt-room had become very silent
..- there were many moist eyes, WREN
N vs.. Walker. Of Westmoreland, arose
i'., With trembling voice, made an
earnest ana touching appeal TO the two
t0n. now that the character OF the one
iai been v.ndicated and the other had
admitted his wrong, 20 become reconCNed
t'i he friends once more. In response 10
is arrea! the two men. throwing aside
CIT unkud feelings. rose from .heir seats
mot ha'f way. and amidst the hearty APP