The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-05
FEW BANKRUPTS
ON THESOUTHSIDE
A Comparison Between the Old and
New Laws.
SOME UNIQUE AND NOVEL CASES
The Old Law was n Great Relief TO
the Ruined Fortunes Of the South
ern Property owners,-An Into
resting Life Insurance Suit.

BOYDTON, VA, March 4-Special.-I
learn from Mr.. w. H. c. Walker, the
referee in bankruptcy for District
40. TO- for the Eastern District Of Nir-
gina, composed Of the counties of Neck
lenbure, Lunenburg, and Brunswick
mat he has only had two cases referred
to him by the District Court for the
Eastern District of Virginia. OF these
one comes from Mecklenburg and the
other from Brunswick. Z. would seem
therefore that the people Cf the Tenth
District are not 20 much In Cebt as might
be supposed, or at amy rate they do no'
seem disposed 20 take advantage Of the
benefit of the bankrupt act.
Judge Henry Wood, of GAINESVILLE, Is
counsel i'm the case of the Meckicnburg
bankrupt.
A bankrupt law was passed by Com
grcss very soon after the -iOse of the
war between the states. which greatly
relieved the financial distress of many
of the citizens of the Southern States
who were left at the close of the war
heavily IN debt and with little else save
their homes. with which to discharge
their obligations as the slave property
mad been swept away which constituted
Che bulk Of the wealth of the South
The consequence was that "a large NUM-
bcr Of the people were forced into bank
ruptcy.
PROFITABLE FOR LAWYERS.
The bankrupt business viewed from a
legal standpoint. was very profitable as
The fees at that time were anywhere
from $50 TO 500 for getting % bankrupt
discharge the fees depending largely
upon the value Of the estate t0 Doe mani
aged
remember am amusing incident that
occurred 40 that time in connection with
the bankrupt law & citizen of the
county applied TO 70 lawyer here Orb Soc
cure his professional services. telling him
bis debts were troubling him very much
and that Doc wanted 10 take advantage
of the bankrupt law "Nery well said
the lawyer. 81 viii take your case and
get your discharge "Weu" said the
citizen. "but what are you going 10
charge me2' Fifty dollars was tho
reply. "Iumph" cried the astonished
man. 81 don't owe but about forty dol
lars. and i wont go in / believe"
a friend Of mine who lived iQ Missi7-
sippi NJ the time of the eXistance Of that
law. tells Of "a case which occurred I'M
chat state while he was living there.
He said a darkey applied 90 a prominent
lawyer % put him into bankruptcy The
lawyer informed him that the first thing
for him TO DO was. 20 give him schedule
of his debts, to which he would have to-
make oath. 81 don't owe anything was
the quick reply well why do YOU
wish 10 go into bankruptcF. asked the
lawyer ION. well sh. ealu the darkey'
senator ana Judge poln
big men, nave gone INTO bankruptcy ana
fnouohf ] tV.uII F
INSURANCE SUIT.
The taking of dispositions 90 be used in
evidence I'm "A very interesting case Dee
gun here several months ago. is being
continued here 30" ana VIII go on from
day TO day until concluded. The case
viii come zap before me circuit Court
oi Mecklenburg ana VIII probably be
'ried at the next term or the court I'D
May.