Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-11
ON THE APPOMA TTOX.
DEATH UNDER CAR WHEELS IN
PETERSBURG.
4 RynoR WITHOUT FOUNDATION.
The Funeral of Mrs. vcnabie-saies
Of Loose Tobacro--Circuft Court
Case Po,tponed-ConId Not Identify
afm-Brief Mention.

PETERSBURG. VA, December TO-
Especial. )-william Robinson, worthy
and respected colored man. who for years
had been employed as porter In the dry
goods store OF Messrs. John n chappeii
q Co. met with instant death by acei-
dent this morning, at the Washington
Street Depot OF the Atlantic-Coast Line
Railroad Company. Robinson had been
sent 10 deliver some packages TO pas
senger on the south-bound train from
Richmond. which leaves this depot rev
minutes past 10 o'clock. The train was
moving of before he had discharged his
duty, and in his haste TO jump from the
platform he alighted in such manner IS
20 be thrown backward. He struck against
a telegraph pole near the track, and was
thus thrown forward upon the ground,
with his head upon rail directly in front
OF the wheels of a car. His head was
caught, crushed. and almost severed from
the body by the heavy wheels, and death
was instantaneous. A crowd soon collected
about the spot, but the body was COW
cred from the view OF the curious public
until the Coroner could arrive. An in
Quest was held this afternoon, when SUBJ
stantlally the above facts were delivered.
Death seems 10 have been caused by
the carelessness of the unfortunate man.
Deceased was about 80 years old, eE-
joyed a good charactN and the conh-
dence OF his employers. and leaves
family.
Shortly after the above occurrence
report got abroad that a negro had been
also killed on the City Point road. This
proved 70 be untrue, and arose from the
fact that a colored youth had died from
natural causes st Epes's Island, on James
river, and q telegram had been sent from
City Point to an undertaken here for q
coffin.
The funeral of Mrs. Elizabeth T. Vena-
BILE, mother OF our townsman, Hon. IL. c.
Venable. took place to-day from the
Tabb-Street Presbyterian church, the SER
vices being conducted by the pastor, Rev.
j. w. Rossbro. There was a large assem-
blsge present to testify their respect and
sympathy.
The sales Of loose tobacco in this city
this week amounted to $4,000 pounds.
Last week the sales aggregated 1.oie,OOo
pounds.
When Judge Il. A. Hancock opened the
session OF the Circuit Court this morn
ing, IT was with the expectation of hear
ing argument in the cases OF the Virginia
w, d. Smith and Joseph Z. Brady, ac-
tons brought 10 balances alleged by the
plaintiff company to be due by the de-
PENDANTS on shares OF stock subscribed
for. Mr.. w. ID. Cardwell, son of Judge
Cardwell. OF the Supreme Court repre-
sents the plaintiff. and Hon. w. r. Nc
kenney the defendants. Mr.. McKenney
could not be present to-day, and tho
cases were continued.
The old negro, Robert Fields, who was
drugged and robbed of his money Thur
day evening. just outside Of town, was
uueble to identify the alleged robber,
whe was arrested by the police. Field
was almost certain that the prisoner wa
the man who robbed him, but would not
swear positively TO his identity.
1t Is understood that Hon. Sidney p.
Epes will support Mr.. Bailey, of Texas,
for Speaker Of the next House of Repre-
sentauves.
The temperature here during thu past
two days has ranged down to about
Is to 70 degrees without much deviation.
A protest is being made by citizens here
against the firing OF the giant cannon
crackers in the streets al Christmas
Past experience has shown them not only
TO be dangerous, but nuisance, and
only tolerated by custom. II is probable
some steps will be taken to exclude them
from the streets
The village of Ettrick has q uniformed
policeman. appointed for duty by the
County Court, In the person OF Mr.. Wal
ter Pond, and the citizens have appointed
Mr.. John Hawkins a special policeman,
without uniform