Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-18

Richmond. VA. July IA second suit
for divorce was instituted hero to-day by
Stewart II. Ford against his wife. Mrs.
Lola Small Ford. who IS daughter OF
Kew Sam Small. at ono time quite prom
inent in newspaper circles i'm Norfolk
Some years aso q similar suit was
brought. but after great deal of testi-
mony had been given in the matter was
Mr., Ford, through his counsel. General
Eusar Allen, to-day fled bin in the
Law and Equity Court.
CASE OF PROBABLE INNOCENCE.
Thcrc seems = chance that Zach Arm
strong. II young white man who is now
serving n term in the penltcntiary, is in
nocent OF the crime with which he Is
He was convicted in Goochland county
OF Or aSS1,ui'ins an aged lady named Mrs.
ed before Armstrong; trial. He employ
ca as MS counsel - young lawyer. who
waS on spree during the trial. Various
exceptions We're taken to the rulings of
tne court but the attorney lid not ask
Tor a new trial during the time allowed
by law. and Armstrong was sentenced
and brought To the pcitentiary.
ne mas now served about three years
Spected citizen of Richmond. recently
employed Hon. George ID. Wise rs his
counsel. Mr. Wise at once saw that moth
man pardoncd lie has been to Gooch-
land and made Il careful Investigation uf
the case. and is firmly convinced that
armstrong is an innocent man.
The judge who tried the case. the Com
monwealth's Attorney who prosecuted it,
former STATE senator, and many other
prominent citizens of Goochland have
signed the petition for pardon
There was great excitement I'm Gooch-
iand after the assault had hecn commit
ted upon Mrs. Valentine. and Armstrong
was kept in Henrico jait FOR some time
convicted he Inn Host
of evidence.
ANXIOUS TO FIGHT.
The militia Of Virginia are somewhat
expecting q call for Volunteers to go 10
NINA, ana many of them would Doubt
less respond.
The State has now in her service about
-.Zp soldiers. y few more companies are
ready to be mustered in. The infantry
companies ia existence are located a.
follows: Smunton, clarlottesyille, Alex
bI5y yr,s,,iI,r,i, KchmGnd, six Franklin.
and Newport News
There are batteries of artillery nj
Richmond. Norfolk and Portsmouth and
two DIVISIONS, of naval Reserves ~ Nor
ioik. The only troop of cavalry is the
should Virginia be called UPON for
troons many companies viii be quickly
organized ana VIII volunteer their SER
vices, as was the case during the Span-
ish- American war.
1t is Thought to hc highly probable that
a command In China.
y PORTSMOUTH CASE.
Governor Tyler has recently been Sc
Nerely criticised in Portsmouth for the
pardon of T.. Crismond. When asked
concering II he said that he had acted i'm
the matter upon the recommendation OF
the Board OF l'ardons and the earnest
solicitation OF the judge and Common
wealths attorney of the city OF Ports
mouth.
lie said that the prisoner having COM
pied with the law. In that he had served
one-h of his term and had kent the
prison rules. was entitled Ia conditional
pardon provided the board thought him a
tt-t--atA--.<+-f..f~i pa
Tho Governor then produced the PAPERS
containing the petition and letters and
the Recommendation OF the board. They
embraced Il great number OF appeals and
also strong letters from Judge y S. Watts
ana Commemorative Attorney X II
Griffin. in which they said they believed
The ends OF justice had been met aud thai
had II not been for testimony of Girls
mond the other nrcbuEs could not have
been convicted. a fact Mhich they thought
should be worth something to the pris-
oner-