Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-17
NEWS IN PETERSBURG
A DASTARDLY ASSAULT UPON A
POLICE OFFICER.
CONFESSED He WAS A DESERTER,
Court Notes from Sussex County
Kicked by n Horse-Uand Lncer-
nted-The New Town of Dewitt
The Peanut Trust.

"thc new TOWn OF Dewitt
The Peanut Trust.
PETERSBURG. VA, December 1s =
(specal.)-A dastardly assault was mad,
by a unknown ruflan this morning on
Police-Oficer Michael Beck, which came
near proving very serious in its results
About O'Clock, while officer Beck, on
duty, was passing along River street be-
tween the Old-Market Square and Second
street, half brick was hurled at his
mead from small alley. The missile
struck a glancing blow on Mr.. Becks
left cheek, knocking him almost senseless
10 the ground and inficting an ugly
wound. 1t was SO dark at the time that
the officer could only family see the form
| Of his assailant as the latter retreated
| through the alley. He has no idea who
the man was. or what reason there was
for the assault Had the brick struck the
| ofiicer's head squarely II is thought he
| would have been killed.
The Florence 'Crittenden Reformatory
| Home for Women has been opened near
the corner of Halifax and Hickory
streets, with an experienced matrOn from
| Washington In charge. 1t has however,
but one inmate as yet--a girl from Rich
mond. The reformatory, as soon as it
gets into active operation. IS destined 10
do much good.
John Dunleayy. the white man who was
| arrested here yesterday. proves TO be a
deserter from the receiving-ship Franklin
now In Norfolk harbor. He confessed to
the fact, and was taken down TO Norfolk
this morning. The man had no money.
and preferred TO 90 back and receive his
punishment 20 leading the life of a tramp
FIVE tramps, who were picked up here
Tor Vagrancy, and put 10 labor on the
work gang. have made their escape from
the gang this week. II Is understood that
the Police Committee have adopted more
stringent measures for the working OF
this gang. which will prevent such es-
capes In future.
The health OF the venerable Rev. DR..
William II. Platt is said to be very feeble.
During his long ministry here and else
where Or. Plat was one of the ablest
and most eloquent preachers i'm the Epis-
cOpal Church.
Mr.. c. II. Talley, for many years a
prominent merchant on old street, has
been Ill for several days
IMPORTANT CASES IN SUSSEX.
At the January term of the County
Court of Sussex several important crimi-
nal cases are to be tried. William Mason
(colored)) is TO be tried for an attempt TO
commit murder. On his first trial ne was
convicted, and the jury fixed his term or
Imprisonment at two years. The Court
set aside the verdict and granted a new
trial.
George W. Whitehead n white man,
originally from Illinois. but for several
years a resident of Surry county. is in
jail, awaiting trial on the charge Of steal
ing q horse from a citizen near Waverly.
The horse was recovered in Dlnwiddie
county. Judge West has received letters
from Whitehead's wife, appealing for le-
niency.
KICKED BY A HORSE.
William Johnson, the colored porter at
Mr.. John OConnor's store, on Boiling
brook street, had his left thigh fractured
to-day by a kick from the horse he had
been driving. At the time Johnson was
standing on the foOt-piece of his wagon
attempting TO arrange a blanket over the
horse The animal struck with both hoofs.
causing a bad fracture just below the hip
Mr.. Charles Keys. a well-known young
machinist, had his right hand badly crush
ed and lacerated this morning at Brad
IS employed. He was engaged In cleaning
some machinery, when the engine was
started, and his hand was caught before
he could eXtricate 1t.
PERSONAL AND GENERAL.
Mr.. W. A. Gilman. formerly and for
many years a tobacconist of this city. |
but now a citizen Of North Carolina, is |
visiting old friends here for the first |
time in some years. He has passed the |
age Of fourscOre years. but is still hearty |
and vigorous.
Mr. Henry Pannill. Of this city, has ap-
piled for a patent for q "heat-regulator" |
invented by him. which il is claimed.
will be Of great benefit TO housekeepers
IN saving heat. The regulator" is made
10 fit in any chimney, over the fireplace,
and ii is claimed that it throws all the
leat out into the room which would other
wise go up the chimney. number Of
hese regulators have been ordered for
rial here.
The streets and avenues in the proposed |
lew town Of Dewitt. in Dinwiddie county. |
II the present southern terminus of the |
Richmond, Petersburg and Carolina rail. |
Dad. having all been laid out. the build.
ng Of houses will soon commence as a
number Of lots have been purchased by
ersons, who will build at once both dwell
ngs and manufacturing plants. The site
S about four miles beyond the county
eat, O. near the centre Of the county,
nd it is even proposed to erect a modern
ourt-house and all necessary officers of
he county will consent to move the seat
here.
Mr. Frank Clements's yacht Scotch
'ap, while coming up the river to-day, at
point Just below Gatlng's, had her hull
ute badly cut by ice.
THE PEANUT TRUST.
Some of leading parties interested I'm
he organization of the great peanut |
rust. Of which mention has been made
I this correspondence, are expected here
rom Norfolk. where they have been for
ONE days perfecting the organization
cheme. 1t IS said TO be the intention 10
urchase the peanut-cleaning .plants OF
no county, and unite the interests of all
{ them under one great central cor
crate management to pay for the seve-
Al plants. one-half i'm cash and One-half |
! stock In the new corporation, and TO
ave the management Of the plants i'm
70 hands of those who sell. Rumor says
nat after the organization OF the trust,
40 plants in Petersburg, three in Nor I
Tx. and one in Smithfield will be ope- {
lted.
PAN-AMERICAN BANK BURIED.
ig Minority Against II I'm the q
House. {