Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-09
ON THE APPOMATTOX.
NEWS NOTES GATHERED IN THE
cocKADE CITY.
SUDDEN DEATH OF A LADY
Interesting Decision by Judge Han
cock, Involving the Constitution
aIity Of n City 0rdinnnce-An En-
joyabIe Entertainment.

| FI4 EftoDl = III, fAs SahuaiJ o'-N'fS
ciaL)-Mrs. Magdelene NJ. Herring. relict
OF Lewis Herring. a widely known and
most estimable Christian lady. died very
suddenly OF apoplexy, at her residence, on
| Old street, this morning. She had left
her bed and was dressing for breakfast
when she was stricken and fell to the
floor. Her fall was heard by her daugh-
ter. Mrs. Luther Hargrove, who ran inn
mediately to her assistance, and who
found her unconscious. Death followed
soon afterwards. Mrs, Herring was up
wards of 60 years of age, and leaves only
one child-Mrs. Hargrove-who lived with
her. 1t is singular coincidence that her
husband died suddenly and In the same
room, few years ago.
AN INTERESTING DECISION.
| After elaborate argument. which was
concluded to-day in the Circuit Court,
Judge b. A. Hancock rendered his de-
cision In the case of w. T. Crowder
against the city Of Petersburg. an ap-
peal case from the Mayors Court, which
involved the cOnstitutionality OF section
| 3S9 Of the City Code. This section Is
what is generally known as the "omni-
bus" section, embracing, as it does. many
minor offences, penalty or punishment for
which is not provided for In other sec
tions Of the Code. 1t reads as follows:
Section 3S9-Any person who shall make
a disorderly noise in any street OF said
city to the annoyance and disturbance OF
the citizens, or obstruct the sidewalk by
standing or lettering in the street in COM
pany of two or more persons, after being
warned by a police officer or a justice OF
the peace TO move on, or who shall use
profane, obscene, or threatening lam
guage, or shall enter upon the premises
of another without lawful authority or
reasonable excuse, or shall in any man.
ner disturb the quiet or good order of the
city, shall be fined not less than 81 for
every such offence And II any person
offending against this section shall not,
when requested by police officer or any
justice Of the peace, desist from such
conduct, no shall be arrested and COM
mitted to jail"
Hon. William r. McKenney was counsel
for the appellant, Crowder, and Mr.
George Mason, City Attorney, appeared
for the city. Judge Hancock, in render
dering his opinion, said in substance:
This is an appeal from the decision OF
the Mayor imposing fine of 81 upon W.
It. Crowder for violation of section 3S9 of
the City Code The Circuit Court has
jurisdiction Of appeals from the Mayors
Court only in cases where the bylaws
or ordinances of the city are invalid or
unconstitutional. He held section 3S9 to
be invalid, in SO far as 1t provides for the
punishment of person for using pro-
fame language, as the general law of the
State already prescribes a punishment
for such an offence. He also held as
unconstitutional that part of the said sec
tion which provides for the arrest and
Imprisonment Of the person violating said
ordinance. In all other respects, the or
dinance was held valid and constitutional.
Therefore, as W. T. Crowder was not
charged with violation Of any part, Of
tho ordinance which is declared invalid
and unconstitutional, the judgment of the
Mayor is sustained, and the fine imposed
by him, with costs in the Circuit Court,
must be paid by the appellant
PERSONAL INTELLIGENCE.
Mr. and Mrs William Il. Madeira have
issued invitations to the marriage Of their
daughter. Miss Minnie Hoge Madeira, to
Mr.. Arthur Beck Wood Monday, January
nth, at 10 o'clock, A. NJ. at the Tabb-
Street Presbyterian church. The prospec-
tive bride Is a very charming and hand
some young lady. The groom is popu-
lar young Businessman and treasurer OF
the Petersburg Club.
Oakland Farm, the pretty home of Mrs.
w. NJ. Robinson, near the city, wa5 the
scene Of a most enjoyable entertainment
last night. Various amusements were in
duged in, after which bountiful repast
was served. Those who enjoyed the occa-
sion were Misses Anabelle Green, Frances
Ream. Kate Percival. Mary Field. Aubrey
Robinson, Ellie Robinson. Helen Robin
Young, Harry Beasley Dunlop Routh,
George Huntley Of Richmond. Walter Ro-
binson, Fred. Mortimer Robinson, and
Ar. and Mrs. ]. NJ. Shackelford.
GENERAL NEWS.
The local Civil-Service Board met to-
day in the High School building TO ex-
anime candidates for positions under the
government. 1t is said there were seven
teen candidates for the position of janitor
Of the custom-house alone, an office which
pays s72O a year. OF course, the result
will not be known for several weeks.
There were two or three colored men
among the number.
THE STEWART MURDER CASE.
Detective Mcvey, Of Wilmington, Del,
arrived here this afternoon with requisi-
tion papers for Dave Stewart alias Charles
W llSOut difdo CHdiiCo llt negro
held to answer the charge OF the murder
Of G.. ID. Farra. a farmer, near Whining
ton. The papers were served upon City
Sergeant Watson, and the detective left
for the North with his prisoner this eve
ming. II Is said there is new and strong
evidence against Stewart.
Mrs. L. 4. Seyler, of Chesterfield county,
met with a painful accident this evening.
She was driving towards the city when
her horse became frightened and ran,
throwing Mrs. Seyler out Of the vehicle.
She became entangled In the reins and
was dragged some distance. When as
sistance reached her II was found that
she had sprained both ankles besides re-
ceiving several cuts about the head.
John Robinson. Wash. Turner, and Ed
ward Powell the three negroes arrested
in Prince George county for stealing coal
from the Norfolk and Western railroad.
were tried in that county this evening
and sentenced 10 three months each in
jail.