Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-23
MAN FOR THE HOUSE.
MANCHESTER TO HAVE A CANDI-
DATE IN MIR. WELLS.
THOMAS And POWELL CONVICTED.

one Gets Ten and the Other Eight
y.,rs For House-Breaking-M
Van Houten Appointed Grand
ChapIain-street Committee.
The interest which two years ago was
felt in the election Of members OF the
General Assembly of Virginie mas thi9
wear been largely swallowed up in the
contest for gubernatorial honors' but now
as that battle is approaching It's emu
and as Manchester has named her deie-
cation TO the Roanoke convention, the
politicians of this city and OF CHESTER
field and Powhatan counties have begun
TO awake and ask the question VINO VIII
represent them for the next two years III
the House of Delegates. The district
as already stated, comprises Chester
field Powhatan, and Manchester, and IL
has been the custom among the Demo
Gratis of the district to divide hohors' 81
that all may contribute towards sehuins
good. capable men to make the state
Iaws and likewise share in the honoEs'
povbatan and Chesterfield supplied the
members of the last House, ana the Defiio-
Gratis of Manchester feel that the Guy
should be represented in the next fouSe'
Among other names that have Deeh ili'ii-
toned and perhaps most prominent Oh
them is that of Mr. Ernest ii. Nells'
Young lawyer Of Magchester, Oh marheu
ability and steadness of character. MI
Wells has been approached by gentlemen
from both Chesterfield and Manchester
and II Is thought that they VIII be allow
ed to use his name. "a
Mr. Wells was born in Chesterfield, anu
was for long time previous to his enter
inc the legal fraternity in the Clerh
Office of the County Court.
TO DESIGNATE THE STREETS.
The regular meeting Of the CouncH
Committee on Streets was held yesterday
evening al $50 o'clock In the City Ehsl-
neer's office. There were present Messis'
9 81 Sims chairman. NJ. A. Campbell
Mathew Morton. and w. Il. Kart Atter
transaction of the routine business the
committee, by a unanimous vote ue-
tarmined TO erect a drinking FOUNTAIN
ON Seventh street between Hun anu
Rainbridge streets. proposition was
made in the Council 10 this effect some
time ago and was referred TO the street
Committee, with power TO act.
Announcement was also made that the
GINS and names. whiS had been or
dered PAINTED. looking to the free de-
livery OF mail, were in readiness Tor
being nut in place at the street corners
The work was accepted. and the CITY
Engineer instructed TO see that the Work
began without delay.
HONOR 4 MANCHESTER PASTOR
A letter from Mr.. James Is. thanks
Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter
Royal Arch Masons Of Virginia, came 10
rev Charles n. Van Houten, pastor OF
the PRESBYTERIAN church, Of this city, in
the nature OF a surprise, announcing that
ne had been appointed Grand Chaplain or
the Grand Chapter. This deserved honor
comes from the Most Eminent Grand
High Priest, John p. Steiner, OF Bristol.
Mr.. Van Houten is appointed to Ill the
Mace made vacant by the resignation OF
Rev DIR. ]. Y. Fair, who has removed
TO Savannah, Ga.
Mr.. Van Houten Is a warm friend OF
Dr. Fair. and none were more reluctant
TO see him leave the State and Richmond
than ne. Since he has been pastor IN
this important and by no means easy
field he has accomplished a great work.
He moves in among his people quietly
and gently, but the influence OF his
gentle life and his loving instructions
have drawn people Of all classes around
him i'm affectiOnate regard.
THOMAS GETS TEN YEARS.
The session OF the Hastings Court Of
Manchester was engaged yesterday In
hearing the cases of William Thomas
alias John Tucker, and Nathan Powell
Cboth co.oredD, arraigned for breaking
into the hardware store Of Walden & Co.
and stealing a lot Of merchandise. The
trial resulted in the sentencing OF Thomas
TO the State Penitentiary for ten years
and Powell eight. The burglary occurred
on the morning Of May 18th. That same
night the condemned men were seen In
Richmond. and Thomas has since been
sentenced TO eight years confinement by
the Hastings Court Of Richmond FOR
shooting Policeman i. c. Minor. I'M
mediately after the trial In Richmond the
two men. scarcely more than youths,
were indicted for the burglary by the
grand Jury OF the Hustings Court OF this
city.
In the trial yesterday Thomas claimed
that he was not guilty OF the charge
of stealing from Walden & Co. Nathan
Powell, his accomplce I'm the nights
transaction, said that Tucker and himself
did the work
Thomas did not have counsel, but he
asked several questions OF the witnesses.
and he did not fail to inform the jury
that he had been convicted In Richmond
and sentenced to a term Of imprison-
ment.
Commonwealth s-Attorney AttlSisson
I'm addressing the jury. said the law al
lowed them to give the prisoner. provided
they found him guilty. from two to ten
years In the penitentiary. He asked
that the prisoner be given the extreme
limit. At the conclusion of his remarks
the Jury retired. In one minute after
entering the room knock was given on
the door. and they informed the Sergeant
that they had reached decision. When
they appeared before the Court. and in
answer to the questions OF Clerk OuVal
whether they found the prisoner guilty
or not guilty. Foreman X. l.. French
handed the verdict TO the Clerk. which