The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-30
INTERESTING SUIT.
How Ignorant Country People Are
Ruined by star Route Contractors.

BoYDTON, VA. Sept 29.-special-A
suit is pending before the Circuit Court
of Mecklenburg. which is creating I'M
usual interest with both the bar ana
people.
The suit Is brought by the Equity Life
Association OF Stanton. Va, against Or.
II. L. Atkins, and Mrs. Maggie q. Atkins
his wife. 10 annul a policy on the life
of Mrs Atkins, taken out last January
for the benefit of Dr. II. l. Atkins. for
the sum of 5000.
Since the suit was instituted. Mrs. At
kins has died. Counsel have been at work
here for several days, taking dispositions,
70 be read in evidence before the Circuit
Court of Mecklenburg at its October term
Messrs. Reeks and Goode represent the
plaintiff. and Judge W. IL. Homes the
defendant
A herce legal battle viii be fought
over this case.
The matter Of sub-letting country mail
contracts has gotten 10 be quite a COM
snon thing in many places, and conse-
quently several Of the people in THIS
neighborhoOd have been severely imposed
upon by these Government mail con-
tractors. many of whom make business
uf taking a large number of these small
contracts in the rural districts and then
letting them out 10 ignorant persons.
mostly negroes. al ruinOusly low prices,
persuading their victims that they can
make a nice little thing out of mail
contract.
soemtimes I have thought that there
was bit of pride mixed mp I'm the taking
of these sub-contracts. as some are foolish
enough TO think that they ara made
more important by being United States
mail contractors.
Large fortunes are said to have been
made by sub-letting Government con-
tracts i know of three victims of these
mail contractors. and viii state the COM
psnsation received and the service per-
formed, and II viii take no Solomon 10
tell, that IL is only matter Of time when
these poor. deludod subs Will come TO
grief.
One of them now receives $50 per year
for carrying the mail distance of ten
miles and return three times a week:
another Of them receives Sl44 dollars per
year for carrying the mail ten miles and
return daily; another gets $i55 for carry
ing the mail eighteen miles and return
daily.
This latter sub began on 4 new route
early IN this month. Re said 20 me
day or two since. in a. state OF great dis
tress. that ne was ruined that his own
horses were broken down and that he
was hiring q horse. al one dollar per day
besides furnishing a hey 20 carry the
nail. and that 70 was only receiving as
pay. the sum OF hfty-seven cents per day.
This poor man has a farm OF some forty
acres which by telling for years. ne has
paid for. a home for himself and family.
where he was happy. until the mail con-
tractor git hold Of him. but now alas
this home IS liable 10 be taken away from
him for his inability TO comply with a
hard contract for a three-year term OF
service which IS worth three times the
amount he Is to-day receiving for the
service and which no man can M with
ont loss.
These are actual facts, and the Ques-
ton Is. cannot something be done by the
government 20 protect these ignorant peo-
pie from the snares into which such
crafty persons would leed th'm. | doubt
not but there are many instances OF a
Ike character I'm other part OF the State.
4 guard from the penitentiarv was here
Tuesday and took away with him Pig
KY Yancey (colorcd) convicted OF house
burning. at the September term OF the
County Court Of MecklenbLrg IL was
somewhat OF novel sight 10 see this
woman. with her young infant I'm her
arm. passing along the streets. under a
guard on her way 10 the peuitentiary.
Owing 20 the protracted drought seve-
raj wells have dried up and others are
very low.
Mrs Y c. Nelson. OF Richmond. and
Mrs. =. C. Pohr Of Greensboro. n. c..
who have been visiting Mrs w A. Bry-
son have returned 10 their homes.