Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-11
The Liability of Water Companies
Defined.
DECISION
IMPORTANT
Colors of the First North CaroIina
Received Ht tho stRte Capital
Post Office Robber In Cusrody-The
Black Diamond Raiiroad--A CUES.
tion of Jurtsdiction The fayette-
vilIo Trngcdy-ChartersG Granted.

Raleigh, N. c.. April 10.-The North
Carolina Supreme Court has lately filed
an important decision-"Gerrell VS..
Greensboro Water Company"-which
holds that where water company in
Its contract with u city agrees to keep
water at a certain pressure for the pro-
lection of property against fire. and
the property of citizen Is burnt down
by failure to comply with that require
ment the owner of the property can
recover damages for the breach OF the
contract; that though the citizens are
not individually parties to the contract.
they are beneficiaries under it, and as
such can maintain actions for its
breach.
The authorities on this point in other
States arc conflicting and this being the
first case of the kind in this State. the
court held that the decisions of other
States, being only of persuasive au-
thority here they should be weighed
not counted" and the court would adopt
that line which was most consonant
with reason.
This decision was written by Justice
Walter Clark.
Inc COIOrS OF the flTSC NOItH AuIO-
lima regiment, United States volunteers,
have been sent here from Savannah to
be kept in the capitol. These were the
first flags borne through the city OF
Havana, and hence they have a his
toric interest. The First regiment has
turned in its rifles and equipments. 1t
is not generally known, but is true.
that while in Cuba this fine regiment
volunteered for service in the Philip
pines.
POsTOFFICE ROBBER RECEIVED.
John o. Dandrlll alias John ODon-
NELL is the last arrival at the Jail here.
He is charged with the robbery of the
postohice at Plymouth. n. c., and his
capture was made in West Virginia.
He is said to be a professional robber
OF postofiices, and his capture Ia the
cause of much satisfaction.
THE BLACK DIAMOND ROAD.
Beyond the Blue Ridge people are
saying that they are sure the Black
Diamond railway will be built from
GAINESVILLE, Ohio, to tidewater. double
tracked, and that 1t Will be the great
est developer the Valley of the Upper
Tennessee river has ever known. Cor
poration Commissioner II. l.. Rogers
says he Is convinced that work will be-
gin May LIST. and will be rapidly car
ricd on.
QUESTION OF JURISDICTION.
The corporation commissioners have
decided that they have no jurisdiction
in any of the suits brought before the
late railway commission. They fur
Their decided that this applies to the
suits now in the Federal courts to re-
duce the tenword message rate of the
Western Union Telegraph Company
from twenty-five cents to fifteen cents
and to reduce telephone rentals % per
cent. The telegraph people appear to
think that the matter is now ended.
THE FAYETTEVILLE TRAGEDY.
The attempted murder of Chief OF
Police Flowers, of Fayetteville, by NJ.
w. Cooper a Croatan Indian, and the
shooting of the latter by Policeman
Benton just in time to save the chiefs
life was he sensation of the past week
Cooper was from Darlington, $. c., and
he is thought to have been insane. Two
years ago man of his name. perhaps
kinsman, ran amuck" and killed a
man. two women and two or three
children.
CHARTERS GRANTED.
The State has chartered the Piedmont
Park Company. of Winston, p. II.
Hanes and others stockholders. The
company will conduct races and fairs
and Will construct buildings and a fine
race course.
a charter is also granted the Bala
Cotton Mills in Cabarrus county. j. W.
Cannon and others stockholders.