Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-21
ON THE A~PPOMATT0X.
THE NEWS IN PETERSBURG AND
VICINITY.
The Suicide of J.. Richie WILSON,
Had Been I'm Ill H~cnIth-Ffre In
Prince George County-sundD"
school Union.
SCHOOL Union.

PETERSBURG, VA. Decepber 10
(Special.)-The remains OF j. Ritchie
Smith, who killed himself Sunday after
noon at Wilson. N. c., by shooting lin
self through the temple. were brought to
the home OF his parents in this city this
morning, and the funeral will take place
tomorrow morning at II O'clock from the
Washington-s Street Presbyterian church.
The deceased was the eldest son Of Post
master Hugh II. Smith, was one OF Pc
tersburg's most popular young men, ana
was a great favorite in society. The In
telligence Of his sad death was a great
surprise and shock TO the community
and brought warm sympathy for the
stricken parents. The cause of the act
Is unexplained beyond the fact OF III
health and suffering and consequent de-
preston. A few months ago Mr.. smith
accepted the agency OF the Norwich FIRE
Insurance Company for the States Oh
Virginia and North Carolina, ana ms
headquarters were established IN fueh-
mond. He had been educated and tram
ed In the insurance business In Peters
burg. and was one of the brightest ana
most successful young men known 10 the
profession here. When, therefore, ne en-
tered a larger field OF labor, he was the
recipient Of heartiest congratulations
from his friends on his bright prospects
Mr.. Smiths duties kept him almost
constantly on the road, and recently his
health broke down. Several weeks ago
he had 10 return home 10 rest re-
cuperate. 1t is said that last Saturday
night he t~elegraphed from Wilson -
his Headquarters In Richmond and New
York that he was unable to attend at
present to his work, and asking advice.
He was then. and on sunday morning
complaining of feeling very unwell.
The pistol with which he shot himself
was found neal his body. The bail pass
ed through the temples just back OF the
ewes. but the wound did not prove fatal
for several hours. Every possible atten-
ton was given him by friends, but 1t was
seen from the first that no earthly alu
could avail anything. -,
All who knew young Richie smith VIII
remember him as one Of the most genlal
and lovable of companions, ana one Oh
the most unselfsh and generous-hearted
Of men.
FIRE IN PRINCE GEORGE
The stable and barn on the farm oil MI
Peter Bate, in Prince George county
about two miles from inns cry
afre by some unknown person last nlg1.
about 1880 o'clock, and burned 10 the
ground. About one hundred barrels OF
corn and a large quantity of FODDER were
destroyed. When MIR. Bate returned
home at the above hour, he saw a hSh'
blaze in his barn, which he could nave
extinguished with a little water. BEFORE
he could get this, however, the IRE was
beyond control. He succeeded III saVlls
his stock and harness. His loss is about
500 or $500. with no insurance.
A slight fire occurred this morning al
the store of Mr.. p. Dere, on LOMBARD
street. but the damage was small.
| METHODIST SUNDAY-SCHOOL >
CATION.
The regular meeting OF the METHODIST
Sunday-School Association was held yes
terday afternoon at the washington
| street church. with a large a~ttendahe
and an interesting programme. me au-
dress was delivered by Rev. Il. l. Daa-
man. The reports from the seVerai
schools showed the following statstlcs,
~ NDIs