The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-08-01
A MAN TOTALLY
WITHOUT FEAR
George RatIiffe's SIayers TO Be Pros
eCutet With Energy.
ALL PROBABLY CAPTURED BY NOW
The American Named Ward, Killed in
Japan. May Not BE Geo. W. Ward,
Jr.-InjunCtion Case Involving
100000 Acres of Land.

ABINGDON. VA, July 31.-special.-
Arrangements are being made in this
county as wei as I'm Russell TO prosecute
the murderers of George Ratine. BY
this time the last Of the gang engaged I'm
his murder has probably been caught,
and they have already employed Messrs.
May May e Smith, OF the TazeweI bar.
TO defend them.
George Ratiff. who was raised I'm the
county Of Buchanan but who subse-
qucntly removed with his father 10 this
county, is said 20 have been a man abso-
lutcly oblivious 10 the meaning Of the
word fear. He removed few years ago
10 HIGHLANDS in Tazeweu county. and
while acting as town sergeant of that
town shot and killed man from Blu
chanan county StH later he was utilized
in numerous cases by the internal revenue
officials 10 assist inc locating Illicit dis
tIllerics ion Buchanan county. Recently
Raiding-Deputy-C Collector Ferguson was
designated TO locate and destroy certain
moonshine distiIleries ON Swords creek,
in Russell county. This creek has IT'S
three heads at the summit OF Sandy
Ridge which is the dividing line between
Russell and Buchanan counties Collec-
tor Ferguson az once awaited himself OF
George Rauins services. and soon had
tho brotherhood mo bay While videtting
iu front Of Captain Ferguson George Rat.
I'M was espiel by -he moonshiners and
his face and breast literally filed with
buckshot from the mouth OF one or more
double-harrcIled sh0tguns.
GOVERNMENT To PROSECUTE
The case is presumed 90 come naturally
under the jurisdiction % the United states
court and the defendants seem 10 con-
cede this. The statutes for assaulting
United States officers is regarded as the
key Go tho affair.
RatHHs family. who live three miles
west or Abingdon. have employed Hon.
Daniel Trigg 90 assist bon tho prosecution.
The item recently furnished you by your
correspondent az Bristol 90 the effect that
Mrs. Judge Ward who really resides in
New York. but is now spending the sum-
mer at this. her old home. has been in-
formed that tho recent Am rican named
Ward who was murdered in Japan was
indeed her SON. u.s. 1 am informed, incor-
rect Tho public here believe tho muir
dered man 90 have been George W. Ward
Jr., late OF Abingdon, but no one here
That ] can learn of knows it to Dos SO.
Rev Mr. Wharton. Of tho Presbyterian
church in this town. has recently had
call 10 one of the churches in Nashville
Tenn. and his many friends here are
apprehensive he may accept
A BIG SUIT.
There viii Doe a special term OF the
United States Circuit Court here begin
ming August Goth next TO try The large
ejectmeut case OF H. w. King. Of New
Yorkvs. Joshua Justis et als.of Buchanan
county The Judgment I'm this case VIII
Diet rhine the title 90 the celebrated
$4,000 acre Robert Morris survey cm-
br1cine coal and umbered lands Of great
value lying I'm The county OF Buchanan
Va. and n West Virginia.
Judge Paul viii preside and the case is
not unlikely TO occupy the month OF Sep
tombc:.
During tho preceding seven months Of
this year there have been filed in the
United States District Court here twenty
three cases under the new Bankruptcy
act. OF these only Ono-the case OF James
Gemmcll. of Pulaski city is an involun-
tary case. This case was set for hearing
at Harrisonburg last Saturday the 2jth
instant.
Or. r. c.. Craig. the oldest and one Of
tho most respected physicians Of this
county is seriously ill at his home at
Bcuham. I'm this county He is nearly
eighty years OF age. and yet mp TO a few
weeks ago he was one of the most active
and vigorous men I'm tho county.