Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-22
SUED THE ATTORNEY
CLEVELAND LAWYERS MISTAKE
LEADS TO ACTION FOR DAMAGES.
had THE WRONG MAN ARRESTED.
Nr. Daniel Brown Mistaken for One
RomSey, and Mr.. Rice Had the
Warrant served On HIm--Other
Items Gathered I'm Manchestcr.

W. Il. Rice, a well-known lawyer OF
Cleveland, O., was sued I'm the Hustlhss
Court OF Manchester yesterday for $9'VJv
damages. The plaintiff is Daniel Brown
manager OF the Richmond Shirt Manu-
featuring Company, and the action Is ior
false imprisonment.
The suit grows out Of a case or mis-
taken identity. with which IS connected
quite an interesting story, and was nied
by Major Sol. Cutchins, counsel Tor MI
Brown. Immediately upon the latter being
discharged by Mayor Maurice, beiore
whom he had been taken 10 answer quite
a serious charge preferred by Mr.. Rice
under the mistaken impression that MI
Brown was another man.
Mr.. Rice is a member of the Cleveland
law firm of Burrows q Rice, VINO were
employed by several wholesale clothing
houses to recover goods that pad peeh
sold TO Joseph f.. Romsey alias y. y.
Romsey. a merchant of the Ohio town.
II appeared that the goods had been con-
signed to ]. L. Haskell, New YORK, anu
Mr.. Rice. upon going TO the metropolis
found that the goods had been transfer
red TO the Old Dominion Line and Tor
warded to Richmond. The attorney came
70 this city. and ascortained that lot
of shoes supposed to be those tnat ne
was trying to catch up with, mad peen
placed i'm a store in Manchester tnat was
on Saturday last rented by Joseph Has
KEEL. who took out $1,000 insurance on
the goods. Mr. Marion l.. Dawson was
retained. and on Thursday suits were
filed i'm Manchester against Romsey III
the names of the following nrils' ne
Tappan Shoe Company. Of Auncle' lhu;
for Si6s.6O; Louis A. Crossett, OF North
Arlington. Mass for $liS. and Plflgree
AZ Smith of Detroit, for sSole0. -.
Attachments We're sued out, put tnes
could not be levied until an lnueihnniy
ing bond had been given. 1estsrudy
morning Lawyer Rico found the DoA@s
of goods being hauled from the Mahches-
ter store TO Second and Leigh streets III
Richmond. Among those near the stVIe
was the man whom he thought, from M
deScription. TO be Romsey, but who had
no difficulty i'm establishing his Identity
as Daniel Brown. of Richmond. ne
warrant that had been gotten out LOT
Romsev was at Rice's direction serNeu
given a hearing he was discharged anu
proceeded at once TO sue his accuser'
Rond was given yesterday, and the
shoes are held in Manchester.
TO HAVE MORE POLICE.
The Board of Police Commissioners
met in the Chiers ONCE iasI night, anu
adonted resolutions looking to an in
crease i'm the force. The matter Of put
tino more men on the force was brought
Immediately TO the attention OF the COM
mlssioners and discussed at length. n
resolution was then passed requesting
the president of the Council at the first
caIled session of that body. or if no
extra session was called before the regu-
lar meeting. then at that time, to bring
this matter before the. municipal fathers.
This need Is one that has been felt much
of late. and to the fact of small force
is largely due the too frequent crimes
of the past year. The matter OF having
teIephones in the residences of the police
officers was not brought up.
THE work which was begun on Hull
street a. few days ago was stopped yes
terdav because the rails for the rail-
wav had not come. . This IS matter
which the city looks TO the railway COM
nonv for adjustment but there seems
no one to blame The rails were or
dered from a responsible firm OF Johns
town. Pa, some while ago, and were
expected I'm the city week ago. They
had not come by Thursday night. and
Mr. George T.. Fisher left Richmond at
that time. going Immediately to Johns
town TO learn the cause Of delay I'm ship
ment. This statement was made by Cap
| tain Andrew Pizzini last night.
DEATH OF A VENERABLE MAN.
Rev. James NJ. Cofer an aged, schol-
arlN. ana DelONts ulNlUt OF the EpioNDlehi
Church. died Thursday evening at his
home. at Bon Air. with almost the words
of the blessing OF the daily bread on
his lips. Mr.. Cofer was the grandfather
of Mrs G.. G.. WhitwOrth. we'll known IN
this city. and In the S6th year OF his age
To the time of his death he was the PIE
ture Of vigorous old age. 1t was O'Clock
and the family were just sitting down 70
the evening meal. The aged minister had
said grace and taken his seat, but IN a
moment Mr. Whitworth noticed that he
was falling, and, though he spranS from
his chair TO catch him., when MS manu-
touched him he was dead.
Mr.. Cofer was born and reared in Bed
ford county. In MS early life he was a
teacher. After graduating prize man III
his class he became an episcopal MINIS M ms.
parish in his native county. some TWEEN
ty-five years ago he retired from the MN
istry on account of a throat trouble. lie
then lived for several years with his only
surviving child, Mr.. George Il. Cofer,
Chula. and for the past ten years had
been living at Bon Air with his grand
daughter. 20 ,.,..,,
studious habits, and to the end READ MS
Bible in Hebrew and Greek.
There was a small sprinkling or sinners
before the Mayor in his temple yesterday
morning, and a large number or ldlers;
William Harris (coloredD was charged
with Shaping Rosa Henderson, but, as IL
seemed 10 his Honor that both We're
equally to blame. he Hneu edcn Adv anu
costs. Adeline Rely (colored), charged
Nav Bell Jefferson with beating her, ana
the accused was fined $3.50 and costs.
Lizzie Harvey was sent to JAN lor zen
DAYS because she was disordefly III the
street She is an old sinner.
PERSONALS AND BRIEFS.
Mr.. E. r. Ellington and family, OF
Selma. n. c., are visiting his mother al
MIR Frank Neister was taken quite
sick Thursday while at the SoutherI
depot and was brought home by His
conductor. Captain Ro. Nice. Jones.
The little waif that was found on tne
norch of Mr.. r. +. Ells's house lie"
nights since. has at last found a gooo
home. MIR. w. II. Bolton made a requesl
mat the infant should be turned over te
him and his wife and his plea was grant
Cd Mr.. and Mrs Bolton have no emil
dren. and the child will take their name
It will be called May Bolton-May IRON
fhe month which gave 1t birth.
There was a very delightful dahce Oh
rnner Hull street last night. 1t was I'M
der the management of Messrs. X. T.
Elder J. w. Moore. and Ed. Waymack.
Mr. n. r.. Shepperson and Miss Annie
| cattrall were married at the residence
| ~ the bride, on Fourth street, THURSDAY
evening. in the presence of a number o.
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