The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-11-18
CHERISHED
PLAN NEAR.
Digging the Channel for Diver
sion OF the Appomattox
Soon to Commence.
A HEAVY THUNDERSTORM
HEAVY THUNDERSTORM
Proprietor Of Imperial Hotel Sc
riously Injured by Falling
Through Elevator Shaft.
(special to The Times. Dlspatoh.)


PETERSBURG. VA, Nov. 17.--Captain
E. e. Winslow. the engineer in charge.
valid yesterday that he hoped within two
or three weeks to be ready to advertise
for bids for the work Of digging out the
old channel to carry of the freshet water
Of Appomattox River. This will be the
beginning OF the diversion plan OF the
river that has been sought so long by the
people Of this city
Captain Winslow and Engineer Hennly
of the Atlantic Coast Line, after inspect
ms the embankment which will have to DO
removed. decided what work would have
to be done by the railroad company and
by the United States government
Work will begin at the lower end OF the
channel and when the force reaches the
city with the work, the embankment
of the Atlantic Coast Line will have been
removed by the company and the govern
ment. All that remains to be done before
bids can be advertised for is approval by
the company of the recommendations OF
their engineer There are three firms, al
ready, that desire to bid on the work.
HEAVY STORM.
A very heavy thunderstorm swept over
Petersburg this afternoon. The heavy
downpour of rain about o'clock was ac-
companed with brilliant lightning
flashes and heavy peals Of thunder. The
day had boen exceedingly oppressive. and
the temperature was that Of a spring
day. The rain was welcomed by tho far
mers and the dampness In the atmosphere
even before the rainfall gave them an OPP
portunity to handle tobacco.
Quinlan & Wallis NIlnstrels played to
one of the largest audiences OF the season
in Petersburg tonight. The advance sales
We're very large. This Is one of the most
popular attractions that comes to Peters
burg.
STRUCK WITH A BRICK.
William Robinson. employed by Mr..
w. w. Robinson, contractor In this city,
was painfully hurt to-day In the alley In
the rear OF the Chesterfield Hotel by
brick falling on his head from the wall
above. He was taken into the hotel where
he was attended by DR.. Booth. His inju-
ries are exceedingly painful, but are not
thought to be necessarily serious.
Judge Hancock reconvened his court to.
day, and in the case of Russell Wallace
Collier against the Virginia Passenger and
IO"cI ApIHlIdHS CC6dil llio IiCdi Q ~ VIZ
witnesses for the defendant. The suit Ia
the result OF an accident to, Mr.. Collier
on tho 4th Of July. 1902. as q result of
which he lost his left leg.
A BAD FALL.
Mr.. ]. G. Wright. the new proprietor OF
the Imperial Hotel, was seriously injured
last night by falling through the elevator
shaft at the store of Captain R. T. Matte
son. at Sycamore and Bollingbrook
Streets. Mr.. Wright went into the store
by the side door. and not knowing the
situation of the elevator, plunged head
foremost through the opening, falling into
the cellar below. a distance of eight or
ten feet. He was taken promptly to the
hotel, and upon examination DR.. Booth
found that Mr.. Wright had received So
rious scalp wound and had broken two
ribs, besides receiving other injuries.
John Pelham, a negro. charged with the
murder of Cornelius Walker, who was
shot at a dance hall In this city few
weeks ago. will not be tried until the jan
uary term OF the Corporation Court. He
will be- defended by Mr.. Robert Gillian,
Jr., OF this city
NO CHANGES IN PETERSBURG.
The friends OF the Methodist pastors
in this city are exceedingly pleased to
know that all of them Will be returned
to Petersburg. The only cnange maze ny
the Methodist Conference at Charlottes-
vile to-day was to appoint the Rev. F. b.
McSparran to the Ettrick Church to sue,
coed Rev. ]. B. Faulkner.
Weber G. Fields "Hoity Toity" viii come
to the Academy in Petersburg Friday eve
ming for one performance.
Sergeant Prince. of the United States
Marine Corps, is in Petersburg recruiting
that branch OF tho United States naval
service. Hc will be In Petersburg until
January LIST.
The following are the values OF real
and personal property assessed for city
taxation for 1903. They show an increase
over last year of 81 ,0oO,s34; OF this amount
about s475,0O0 is from railroads. nearly
one-half being the personal property of
the scaboard Air Line Railroad Company.
which was listed for taxation in Rich
mond last year.
lsoa-Real estate, s7,o72.5s0; personal
| property, s4,824,661: total $ll,69719l- 1902
| Real estate sss3o.57; personal property.
| s3,s15,s30; total, s1Osis527. Increase in
| l3,3-Rea estate. s2al,953; personal prop
erty. $3.50 total. sl,o5O034