The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-10-08
SPOTSYLVAN|A COURT
The Investigation Of the Clerks
Office.
TO REPORT IN FULL OCTOBER IA
Shortage Smaller Than Was at FIRST
Rsportsd-Land Sales
Notes, Etc.

ont n large number OF people. lhere
were many attractions politics, the
Crismond report. the Talley case and The
big dinner given by the ladies OF berea
/ Christian church.
All the candidates were present except
Commonwealth Attorney Lee j Graves
and he il 40 far conyalscent that several
friends were allowed by his physician
DR.. Puliam, TO spend a short time Win
him.
The Talley case did not come up. IA It
WAS set for Tuesday.
The report of the committee IN the
Crismond investigation has not been
completed. II was brought up IN court
by Mr. Arthur II. Crismond, son OF the
late Clerk J. L. II. Crismond, who made
this statement:
There seems TO be general demand
from the citizens Of the county that the
committee appointed by your Honor at
the August term should make their re
mort In regard To the affairs oil the late
/ tlerS. ] i. IL. Crismond, and |, az his
personal representative, ask that the
court require that this committee make
their report to this court during its pres
ent term. An impression seems 10 DE
gaining ground that ! Am doing what l
can to prevent said commi ttee from max
ing known certain things brought 10
/ light by the investigation. In order 10
show the public that especially desire
/ that the citizens OF the county shall be
enlightened by said committee, urge an
/ immediate report. Any shortage on tne
part OF Clerk Crismond will be settled as
soon a. the amount IL ascertaineh
In reply to this Judge Embrey saiu:
THAT the committee would have report
ed before this but for the illness OF Com
monwealth's Attorney Lee j. Graves,
who had made special request, and be
/ Judge Embrey) deemed il necessary Tor
him 10 come before the COMMITTEES before
the report was completed; that be and
his colleagues would finish up the work
in fredericksburg and have the report
ready by Wednesday, October 18th, and
present il TO the court on that day; that
MFR Graves WAS getting 80 much better
that he would be able to appear before
the committee prior 10 that time.
MIR Henry NJ Holiday, OF thecommit-
tee. said THAT he wished To call the
attention of the court TO one matter
which Judge Embrey had Jailed To bring
out IA fully rs be desired 10 his state
ment. to.wi, The reason why IL il neces'
sary 10 hear Mr.. Graves before the report
is made. That reason IL this: lnder the
law it il heduty of the Commonwealth
Attorney 20 examine the DOCKS
in the clerks Office at the end OF
each month Now il IL proper that Mr.
Graves shall have the opportunity to
state whether he complied with the law
or II he did not do 40 bis reasons Tor Tall
ing 10 do SO
TO this Judge Embrey stated that the
book from which Clerk Crismond made
his reports could not be iOund IN the
clerks Office.
10 which Mr. Crismond said: He
would like to know how Mr. Graves
could certify that he had compared said
/ report with the books of the clerk 4 Office
when no such books existed?
Mr. Crismond insisted that the court
require the committee to report tins
week and asked II any statement made
by MIR. Graves would be embodied IN the
report. Judge Embrey said, 'le ~, u the
committee deemed il necessary and iur-
Their said "the report would be read, by
Wednesday. October II, and asked lhat
the court be held open until that day 10
receive said report" This was ordered
by the court.
Clerk Crismond's shortage, as ascer-
tanned by the committee so lar, il ~
/ O1G.O4 subject 10 discount OF D per cent.
aud revision. The shortage was sol T.
80 greater than the above amount. but
in the papers of Clerk j. ii. L. Crismond
has been found receipt for S6l7.oO
given by Chief Clerk Smith when ).
brown Allen was Auditor, which does
not appear in the records OF the Audi
tors office in Richmond. IL will be re-
membered that said Smith served term
In the penitentiary for heavy defscation
of State money. The committee has
not checked up the shortage in fines and
delinaueut lands. How much this Will
he cannot be ascertained yet. and the
general opinion seems to be that the
whole shortage OF Clerk CTismond VIII
he about $1,000. The report is being
anxiously awaited.
LAND SALES.
Mfr. W. :. Johnson sold the Duerson
property. 1 miles from Spotsy lvania,
containing 1871 acres, TO Rev. |. L.Chest-
mutt for $50.
Mr.. NJ V. Waller, auctioneer, offered
for saIe 1876 and 80 acres OF the Stephen
B. Lane tract, near Logan, Tor which no
bid was made and it was taken down.
NOTES.
The ladies OF Berea Christian church
realized a handsome sum from the din
ner given by them.
Among the visitors present were Judge
r. n Welch and b. r. skinner ,oi Caroline
The roads from here TO SpOteylyania
are in better condition than Tor q long
time.
The Observation-Disclosures present were
, Mayor NJ. g. Willis, John {. Willis, I. y
Rowlett, J. X Rawlings, b. i. Willis, T.
! d. Foster, +. W. Coleman, X. l.. Blscoe
Judge A. r. Embrey, James X. Hicks
: Henry Wissner. James r. Lowery, J.W
Thomas, Elton Alrich, H.W Garner, uapt
NIB. Rowe and representative oil thin
paper
. COURT PROCEEDINGS.
/ II. Goodrich substituted trustee II
nlace and stead OF A. b. Rawlings, de
Case of Smith vs.. Corbin. continued t.
4 next term.
~ Il, b Pendleton appointed administra
y tor of Mary + Duerson, deceased.
% has. d. Foster appointed special Com
monwealth's Attorney for this term u
Mace and stead OF Lee J. Graves, who !
sick.
commonwealth We. Ashby Brooks
maliciously cutting David Brooks with
razor; verdict Of jury one month In ia
and fined S25 G. ID. Foster, prosecutor
+. W. Coleman represented the accused
Brooks.
Last will and testament OF Clar
Cox proven and admitted to record
re AT. Embrey appointed admins
~ traitor of Henry Stockman, deceased
te who entered into bond OF $4,000. IN
following appraisers were appointed
a NJ Il. Rowe, John r. Alrich, w. :
In Butzper, f. Frank Eastburn and !
" p. Payne.
a. L. Il. Pendleton appointed admin
I'D istrator OF Mary E. Duerson' deceased
aud entered into bond.
or In the matter OF W. Ct. billiard. I'll
IN county treasurer, who rendered II
q. resignation at the September term
al this court, the court, upon the pet
tion of many citizens, refused to q
cept his resignation.
nj II. II. Twyman and K. L. Biscoe a.
~ pointed game wardens for Livingste
m district.
IN. -,
" Don't fail to call on B. Goldsmith
- Con for harQains within the next .