Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-03-31
MULE AND RAILROAD.
Ix n Flag station n Depot:-Peters-
burg Miscellany.

PETERSBURG. March 9O.-(Special)-
In the County Court OF Dinwiddie yes
terday, County-Judge Il. J. Epes pre-
siding, I'm the case OF r. Lee Cobb VS.. the
Norfolk and Western Railroad Company,
rendered an important decision, constru-
ing the recent act OF the Legislature ex-
empting railroad companies from fencing
certain portions of their road-beds. The
plaintiffs mule got on the track at a
point near Sutherand's Station between
the extreme limits OF the switches at this
station, and was fatally injured by a
passing engine. Sutherland's is only a
flag station. with no depot building, and
no station agent to sell tickets or receive
freight. Trains stop there TO take up
freight or passengers only when Ragged.
The statute exempts railroad company
from fencing that portion Of its railroad
between the terminals of the switches
either way from the company's depots, =
and the question was whether flag sta
ton IS a depot within the meaning OF the
act.
The Court held that 1t was a depot
within the meaning Of the act, and so
instructed the jury. The jury, however,
thought the defendant was negligent in
the management of the engine, and found
a verdict for the plaintiff for the value or
the mule. The case will probably go 10
the Circuit Court on appeal. Mr.. r. II.
Mann, Jr., was the plaintiffs attorney,
and Mr. George s. Bernard was the at
torney for the railroad company.
A SERIES OF ROBBERIEs.
At a late hour last night an attempt
was made by thieves 10 break into ana
rob the grocery-store of Mr.. w. Il. Dyson.
rhA Ct
made in dark alley In the rear. but
was frustrated by Pollce-Offieers Beck
| and Heelan. who were on that beat, and
who happened to be in that vicinity. The
thieves fed on the approach OF the
| two officers. each of whom fired two
shots at the fugitives. AS the latter made
their escape It is not known whether they
were struck.
Some time during last night thief
entered the store OF Mr.. n. j. FRANCIS,
on Halifax street, through the front win
dow, and stole 80 in money. Nothing
else seems TO have been carried of.
Thieves made raid last night on the
premises Of Mr.. Hughes. IN Fiftn ward
and stole number OF fine chickens.
Several arrests have been made by the
police in connection with these robberies-
MISCELLANEOUS NEWS.
! The revival meetings Wnicn nave pSen
I'm progress at High-Street Methodist Epis'
| copal church for some time closed last
night. There were twenty-three CONVEX
sions. and some forty or nifty renewals
OF church membership among those who
had backslided.
Ii has been rumored recently that Mr.
Samuel Y. Gillian. chief deputy in the
internal-revenue office here, would prob
ably stand as the Republican candidate
for Treasurer of Dinwiddis county at thu
coming May election. Mr.. Gillian says
he has not come 10 any determination
I'm the matter. Al present the Democra ti'
candidates for the nomination for THU
Office are Messrs. John Y. Harris, the
Incumbent and J. C.. Smith, the Demo
| cratic county chairman.
Mr.. Forrest w. Tucker has qualified be
fore Judge Mullen as deputy clerk OF tn
courts OF this city. MIR. Tucker has fo
some time had experience In the duties o.
| the Office.
The ground for the site OF the new
fire-proof Clerks Office on the conr
house square was laid of by engineer
this morning. and the work OF builGins
will be commenced without delay.