Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-09
THE DEATH OF w. o. STAPLES.
Coroner Holds an Inquest-Mexicnn
War decentralization

PETERSBURG, VA, September s.
| CSpecial)-The Coroner held an inquest
to-day upon the body of W. o. Staples,
the young man who was killed at HIS
| o'clock last night on the Atlantic-Coast
Line railroad in this city, at the Boiling
| brook street crossing.
| The testimony of the witnesses showed
| that the train was running with all pro-
| per precautions, and at a speed OF pc
| tween five and six miles an hour. Inc
| train was running up the grade, WIN lIe
| engine pushing the boX-cars in It's 'front.'
| Two men were sitting on the 'front.' car
| and lights were displayed
The unfortunate young man, VINO was
| riding on n bicycle, evidently did not see
| or hear the train, and was not seen py
the men on the car until ne was AT tne
track there being sharp curve In lhe
road at that point. The trainmen caIleu
to him 10 stop. and signalled the engineer
TO halt the train, which was done imme-
diately.
1t is evident from the position of the
bicycle after the accident that young
Staples tried TO turn his wheel TO save
himself al the track, and that IN doing
so he fell. His head was crushed under the
truck of the forward car, and death was
instantaneous.
1t was some time before the body could
be Identified, and then only by the father
of the young man, who recognized the
clothing and personal effects in the
pockets.
The jury rendered a verdict OF acct
dental death. Mr. Staples had just reach
ed the age of manhood, and was a most
worthy, sober, and industrious young
citizen.
FEW VETERANS LEFT.
Petersburg sent two full companies of
Soldiers to the Mexican war-one under
command of Captain +. III. Archer, and
the other under command Of Captain X.
T.. Robinson. OF the eighty-seven men
who went in Archer's company only seven
survive. They are Colonel r III. Archer.
the commandant; II. J. McCaleb Joseph
l.. Carter. h. Ii. Westmore, Richard Sey-
mGur Edward Spotswood. and David f..
Shields. They are now venerable in years,
and some of them still I'm active business
life. All of them are honored citizens. OF
Captain Robinson's company only one or
two are alive.
The committee of Michigan veterans,
who came here on Tuesday TO return the
flag of the Petersburg Greys, left for
their homes this morning. expressing
themselves as delighted with their visit
TO Petersburg. They were loud In their
praise of the generous hospitality they
received
General stone OF the committee brought
with him Bible, which was taken from
the courthouse with the flag. This
Bible bore on the hy-leaf the name Of
w. w. Townes. at that time the Mayor
Of the city, and it was evidently used
for court purposes. General Stone pc
turned the book to a son of Mayor
TOwnes.
THE MARKET BUILDING.
An effort is TO be made to induce the
Common Council 10 remodel the Centre
Market building. and the Young Mems
Business Association, having had the
matter under consideration for some time,
will bring 1t TO the attention of the Coun-
ell. The plan is to add another story TO
the building, widening this story to the
curbstones on either side. which would
give sufficient width and length for the
establishment of a fine public hall. po-
lice station. and room for number of
Offices The estimated cost of the i'm
proyernent is $4,000. and it is believed that
IL would be a source Of revenue TO the
city in the rentals it would bring in. 1t
Is said that n number of councilmen are
in favor Of the Improvement.
At o'clock last night, at the parson-
age Of the High-Street Methodist Epis-
copal church, Rev. Il. L. Dadmun offcia-
ting. Miss Annie Bridgcman and Mr..
Thomas r.. Howerton were married. The
bride and groom are a well-knOwn ana |
popular young couple of the western por- |
ton of the city.