Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-07
THE COCKADE CITY.
FOUND DEAD UNDER RATHER Mrs-
FERROUS CIRCUMSTANCES.
investigation Adjourned-How DID
the Chickens Get Theres-Deposi-
lions Postponed-Politic Men,
tion-sunering for Rain-Personai.

PETERSBURG. VA, September o.
Especial. )-Savannah Wells, aged about
20 years, son OF Mr.. James Wells. Of
Blandford. was found dead on the side
of the Norfolk and Western railroad at
an early hour this morning. His left
breast and shoulder were crushed, and
there was an ugly cut on his head. There
is some mystery about his death, as his
pockets were turned inside out. as though
he had been robbed. The supposition Is,
however, that in attempting to board a
passing trair he fell and was killed,
and that il any robbery was committed,
It was done after he was dead. 1t is
said that young Wells and several COM
panions asked permission last night to rest
in the Petersburg Crystal Ice Companys
house, near where the accident occurred,
saying they wanted to catch one of the
early trains. This permission was re-
fused Them and this was the last seen
Of any of the party until the dead body
of Wells was found this morning. 1t Is
supposed that the party did attempt to
board one of the passing trains to secure
free ride, and that thus Wells met his
death AS his companions have not
been heard from, IL is thought they were
successful in boarding the train.
The Coroner had a jury of inquest
sworn, but in the absence of testimony
to throw any light on the cause of death
an adjournment was had until to-mor-
row. The body was placed in charge of
Undertaken w. D. Morriss.
A CURIOUS FIND.
Two young gentlemen of this city, while
out walking in Chesterfield county early
this morning, found coop of chickens
on the side of the Richmond railroad
track about half a mile beyond town.
There were about a dozen fowls in the
coop. and enquiries were made of the
neienbors near by as to the ownership
of the chickens. No one being found
TO claim them. they were brought to town
and turned over TO the police. Whether
they were stolen or dropped from a
car is not known.
DISPOSITIONS POSTPONED.
| The dispositions in behalf of the Rich
mond Petersburg and Carolina Railroad
| Company, in the matter of the inJunc-
| ton proceedings brought by the Rich
mond, Blackstone and Southern Railroad
! Company, were Unexpectedly postponed
dent of the latter company, who had been
| summoned to give evidence in favor or
the Richmond, Petersburg and Carolina
| road, went over to Richmond this MORN
| ing, and his counsel being out of the city,
no dispositions could be taker. They will
| probably be proceeded with tomorrow.
| But it is a curious fact that Dr. Arlund,
who sued out the injunction against the
| Virginia and Carolina railroad should DO
summoned to testify in its behalf
POLITICAL AND GENERAL NEWS.
The convention to nominate a candi-
] date for the State Senate from the dis
trict composed of Petersburg and the
county of Dinwddie will be called as
| soon as the committees of the city ana
| county can confer. Senator Mcliwaine
will be nominated and elected without
| opposition.
Messrs. Thomas Il. Clarke and Charles
| Smith are aspirants for the Democratic
nomination for the House of Delegates
from Dlnwiddie county.
There was no public observance of La
| bor-Day here beyond the closing of the
banks and public buildings.
A thief broke into the room of Mr..
Laban Crichton, in the Academy of Music,
| last night and stole a fine cornet which
Mr.. Crichton had just purchased. The
party who is suspected of the larceny
| has left town.
The drought is simply terrible through
out this section, and except in spots
where the rains have been purely local,
| the crops have suffered greatly. The
streams are very low and the wells and
springs are weak The Norfolk and
! Western railroad is hauling water from
| this city TO it's tanks at Church Road.
About 10 O'Clock last night, as Mr.
| Emmett Nugent was walking along
| Washington street, near the First Bap-
| list church, he was assaulted and struck
several times by an unknown man, who
| left on the appearance of two gentlemen.
| Mr.. Nugent is at n loss to know the
cause OF the attack.
| Willie Shields, who has just been re-
| leased from the Jail of Norfolk county
| has been brought here under arrest to
stand trial on the charge of larceny,
| said to have been committed by him
some time ago.
Rev. Father Price, Of North Carolina,
who has been visiting Father O'Farrell,
returned home this morning.
Mrs S. e. j. Binford, Mrs. John T.
Pace. and Miss Clara Holland left this
morning on q visit to New York.
Rev. r. II. Wilson, pastor OF the
Market-Street Methodist Episcopal
church, preached to crowded congrega-
ton last night, his subject being THE
| WAY a Young Man Should Choose"
During the sermon the preacher laid
earnest stress upon the evils OF the race
course, as tending TO encourage gambling
and betting. He condemned horse
racing. bicycle racing, and such amuse-
ments where prizes are offered and
where there are incentives to gambling.
He referred to the bicycle meets here
as tending to such influences, and con-
demned the keeping open OF the club
| rooms on the Sabbath. He hoped, he
! said. there would be no more meets
under the auspices of the Cockade City