The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-03-01
Simon Branch Took The Officers Gun and
Left for Parts Unknown.
A DANGEROUS CRIMINAL At LARGE
Ruius of Aynch's Mill still SmouIder-
ipE-Complimcntnr Reception TO
Miss Jeffcrs-OTf for Stnunton-ihe
New Town Cnr;s-The Nnttoh"i
Stnrs-s.T rho Gospel OF Death"

Suffolk. Va, F1eb. 2S.-(Special)--A
physical giant, with eyes of an eagle
Simon Branch turned the tables on
Special Constable Lueter, and took the
latter's gun. 1t took place In South
ampton county Saturday. Lueter mad
been sworn in as q special otllcer 10
take Branch to the jail in CORTLAND.
When almost there. and While riding
along near the home of County Judge
]. 3. Prince, Branch thought the time
for action had come. Branch was
charged with n felony, and he figured
O little risk did not affect his pcnlten-
tiary chances.
Branch was ticd-that Is the feet We're
I am told .hc hands were unfettcred
He knew the officials gun was In his
coat pocket a rapid movement at an
opportune time put Branch l.. posses
sion Of the pistol and the other nj his
mercy. Branch had no desire 10 shoot
11e reckoned his physical prowrcSs Suili-
cient to cope with an unarmed officer.
The latter realized the responsibility of
his position and made a brave effort ito
recover It, but couldn't. 1t Is sad the
officer was ordered to unbind :hc pris-
oner's feet, after which the Latter had:
him a long adieu and left FOR parts
unknown. Officer Burgess Yesterday
notified Sergeant Ames, Of Suffol;. con-
corning The escape and gave Lcsci p
ttons. 800"
Simon Branch was one OF n trio tie
worst-which robbed IL peanut storage
house near Ivor His accompliccs were
William Peeden and his ill, John
Peedcn. Justice r. p. Pulley baicl the
two Pccdcns. The son was discharged
and the fa theirs bail renewed for q sub
sequent hearing. with Thomas William
son and Frank Branch rs surct cs.
When the elder Peeden heard thai the
owner of ahe peanuts, Attorney Whit
Fl. Urquhart. of the Virginia ana Ncrth
Carolina Chemical company Richm ond,
was coming down to pros sGure him. he
jumped bond and disappa Jared In tbs
forest Businesses, which at least insured
a temporary freedom.
STILL SMOKING.
Eight days after the origin of III. fire
which made desolate the .scaae Of +. w
Lynch & Co.'S mill plant, still lives. On
Sunday small blue column of smoke
Issuing from the heap OF ruins told Of
It's life. In fact, there were two places
from which smoke Issued. The loss las
besn adjusted and the firm is partly
paid before the blaze relinauishas its
grin.
COMPLIMENTARY TO MISS JEFF
FRESS.
Invitations are out for an invitation
next Thursday evening at the home Of
the HIN. j. T.. Booker No. is Sara toga
street. IT will be given by the Misses
Booker in honor OF their guest, Miss
Alese Jeffress, of Richmond. y goodly
number of cards has been sent out. THE
hours are from TO II o'clock
OFF FOR STAUNTON.
Circuit Judge Robert II. Prentis left
to-day for Staunton, Va. to attend n
session Of the Virginia Gr,nd Ledge
knights of Honor. Judge Prfnt;s is
representative 10 the Supreme Lodge
which convenes next suramrr MIR. w
L. Mcleod left tonight c"r Staun on
He represents NanscmonJ Lodge No
1880 in the Grand Lodge.
THE NEW TOWN CARTS.
The Town Council has made another
step toward rctrenchmcnt. Forme,
Councilman NJ. +. Lloyd's contract 70,
removing swill has been cancelled and
the town proposes to do 1t indepcn.
IDENTIFY even If it requires the purchase
or Turks, carts and team. The euuip-
ment is now about complete and thu
official carts will begin their rounds
next Thursday. Whether an acuaI