Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-14
THE COCKADE CITY.
TWO IMPORTANT DAMAGE SUITS
TO BE TRIED.
Tho yirx,uin and Carolina Railroad.
A NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. the Fhpers-
r,xo Thieves sentenced-Wante
I'm (rewe-Perxonal and General.

PETERSBURG, VA, April B.-tSpe-
cial.)-Two important damage suits are
| set for trial at the term of the Hastings
Court which begins on THURSDAY OF TINS
week. The cases are Crawford vs. Har-
rison and Crawford VS.. Harrison and
Saal. and the damages are laid at seve-
raj thousand dollars in each suit. These
suits grew out of the arrest OF Mr.. Craw-
ford. a citizen Of Dinwiddie county, on
the complaint of the defendants, charged
with the larceny of peanuts, which he
had handled as their agents. On his trial
Mr.. Crawford was promptly acquitted.
The abhst lawyers in the city are en-
gagged for the prosecution and defence in
these cases.
THE VIRGINIA AND CAROLINA
RAILROAD.
1t having been recently stated in seve-
raj northern papers that the Seaboard
Airline railroad was back OF the move
ment to purchase the Virginia and Caro-
lima railroad, a citizen Of Petersburg,
who several days ago met Mr.. 81. John'
of that road. asked him about the mat
ter Mr.. 81. John replied that Mr..
Dewitt Smith, did not represent his line.
nor had he secured any traffic arrange
ment with the Seaboard. But Mr.. De-
Witt Smith, who proposes to become the
purchaser of the Virginia and Carolina
railroad. never claimed that he represent
ed the Seaboard Airline. or that he had
made any traffic arrangement with II.
Mr. George ]. Seay. chairman OF the
Finance Committee, has received let
ter from one Of Mr.. Dewitt Smiths at
torneys. stating that all possible haste
is being made in the examination OF
title papers Two weeks remain for this
purpose, and IL is reasonable to sup
pose that by that time some definite ac-
ton Will be taken. Meanwhile, II APP
pears that Mr.. Dewitt Smith and his
hackers are as anxious as ever to secure
the road.
THIEVES SENTENCED.
James Blackwell and Junius Bonney,
negroes, were convicted In the Mayor
Court this morning of the larceny of two
pieces of silk from the store of George
]. Morrison & Co., and'were sentenced
to ninety days each in Jail.
Willis Jackson (colored). who was ar
rested yesterday on suspicion of having
a set Of stolen harness In his posses
sion. Is wanted at Crewe TO answer the
charge Oh SltdllilB the piOptiAgs M VI
fcer came down from Crewe this evening
to take charge OF the accused.
Sergeant Reynolds. Of Newport News.
was in the city to-day. looking for a
negro who is wanted there TO answer
the charge of house-breaking. The Ser
geant traced the negro to Petersburg, and
thinks he is in hiding here.
John johnson (colored). was taken in
charge by the police East evening. The
man has quite a severe stab-wound In
the back. which. he says, he received in
Richmond, but gives no names or particu-
lars He is under treatment In the jail.
PERSONAL.
Captain William Y Johnson and Mr..
]. b. Nicholson, United States hull and
boiler inspectors. were In the city to-
day inspecting tugs Scotch Cap and
Henry Christian
Congressman Epes was in the city to-
day. He expressed the utmost confidence
that he will retain his seat in Congress.
Messrs. r. w. Kruse, of Sycamore
Council, and George A. Thompson. OF
Southsde Council. are the representatives
from Petersburg to the Grand Council,
Royal Arcanum. which meets In Rich
mond, April Goth.