Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-20
HAD A. CLOSE CALL.
HE WAS RENDERED UNCONSCIOUS
BY ESCAPING GAS.
is STILL In 4 CRITICAL COMPTON.
Other News from FrcderieS~DDg-
Vegetation in the Surrounding
Country Said TO he burning Up
.riig,oa. ana Other fot...

,Hs,.,.~ A -.~-:1-.r =. .
Special, 80 H. Goldsmith a prominen,
clothing merchant and well-known citi-
zen, is in a critical condition from the
effects of being nearly asphyxiated yes
terday by gas. For some time Mr.. Gold
smith has been in delicate health, and
on yesterday complained after break
fast of feeling very unwell, and started
out for walk, thinking it would benefit
him. After strolling for quite awhile he
became tired, and on passing by his store,
went in to rest. Shortly afterwards he
became drowsy, and made himself pallet
near the rear window, and in few min
utes was asleep. Not appearing at dinner
his son, Joseph, went in search Of him,
and after visiting several places, where
his father was wont to go, and finding
he had not been seen, he then went to
the store. On entering he detected the
odor of gas and observed, also. that the
light which is always kept burning at
night near the safe in the rear of the
store was out. The rear window he no.
tced, too, had several panes of glass
disarranged. Going back to investigate.
he found his father lying across trunk,
and upon his failing to respond after seve-
raj calls. he surmised the cause, and at
once conveyed him to the air. A physi-
clan was then summoned, and after seve-
raj hours of treatment Mr.. Goldsmith was
partially restored to consciousness, but
has been in a semi-conscious condition
ever since, although hopes are enter
tanned for his recovery.
A SURMISE.
From the broken window-panes, a large
lump on his head, two cuts across his
hands, and the disarrangement OF the
goods, IL is supposed that on awakening,
he discovered that he was being overcome
by the gas and made an effort to get out
Of the window, and, falling to do so,
started for the front door, but, being
weak and delicate, he was too far gone,
and fell across a trunk, in which position
had he remained thirty minutes longer,
be would have died. The store had been
closed since Friday evening Saturday be-
ing a holiday, and it is supposed the
gas went out some time Saturday eve
ming. Why he did not detect 1t is due to
the fact that for some time there has
been a slight leak in the pipe, and each
morning, when the store Is first opened
gas is smelled quite plainly.
Farmers from the adjoining counties In
the city to-day report that the vegetable
and grass crops are almost burned up
and If the drought continues a week
longer there will be no pasturage for cat
tie. 1t has now been nearly seven weeks
since rain OF any consequence has fallen. |
The mllers and feed dealers report a
heavy increase in feed business, and say
farmers whom they have never known to
buy cattle feed before are now doing so.
BRIEFS.
The remains Of Miss Bette Gertrude |
Weaver were taken by steamer this eve
ming TO Sharp's Wharf Richmond county, |
for interment. They were accompanied by |
her father, Mr.. l.. A. Weaver.
Willie Johnson. the negro who assaulted |
Mp. Richard Bell Friday night was given |
a hearing before Mayor Rowe to-day, who |
sent him on TO the grand jury. Bail in the |
sum of $50. with his father as security, |
was allowed.
Tho QuartHly Conference for Spotsyl- |
vana charge. Rappahannock District, |
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. was |
held at Shady Grove church, in the coun- |
ty.' Saturday and Sunday. Representa-
tives from six churches were present all |
OF which were reported as being in ex- |
cellent condition, spiritually and other
wise. On Sunday the presiding elder, Rev.
C. f. Watts. preached both morning and
night to large congregations. The next |
meeting will be held at Lebanon church,
the time to be hereafter named
Rev. w. II. Meade, d. D., Mrs. Robert |
W. Prince, and Messrs. p. r. and p. p.
Meade, of Roanoke. father sister, and
brothers OF the late Mrs. James b. Bolts,
whose remains were brought here for in
terment. left for Roanoke this evening.
Miss Gertrude Hotchkins, OF Warrenton,
Is the guest of Mrs. w. l.. Brannan.
The School Board Of Chancellor Dis
trict, Spotsylvania county, met to-day and
elected teachers for the session 1889.
Mr. John w. Rodgers, Of the Govern
ment Printing Office returned TO Wash
ngton to-day after a two weeks visit 20
his family here.