The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-16
Manchester Bureau, Times-Dispatch,
1lD3 Hull street.

\ II
1903 Hull Street.
No light has as yet been thrown on
the mystery OF the infant body found
a few days ago In an abandoned coal
pit at the Midlothian mines. The evil
dence as brought out in the coronerts
Investigation merely went to show that
the body OF a male child. several weeks
old, had been thrown into the hole In
which there was some water a string
around the neck, believed at first to |
have been used to strangle the child.
may have been intended to be tied to
some weight to keep the body below
water.
The suggestion has been made that
the infant may have died or been killed
either in Richmond or Manchester and
taken TO the abandoned coal pit for
secret disposition.
Some excitement was aroused at Mid
lothian yesterday by reports that just
beEore Christmas carriage, evidently
from one of the cities, was seen to
drive in tho grove near the mouth or
abandoned coal pits and remain some
time. Evidences We're later found that
the party had picnickcd and left tho
remnants OF the lunch on the ground.
and the horses werc evidently taken
out and fed, but so far as the officials
connect the visitors with the crime.
Tho pits where the body was found re-
present an abandoned part of the mines,
over whic.- has grown thick UNDER
brush. Tho -ncighborhood is seldom
frequented because of the treacherous.
unguarded pits. into which one not
familiar with the nelghborhood might
readily fall Whoever the murderer
may have been, II murder was commit
| ted at all, the police are OF the opinion
| that 1T was some one familiar with the
| place and its lonely character.
| Some OGlceholders Favor Union.
| While good deal has been said
about the opposition of the officehold-
orc ne nv ar ,f
| cities. it is yet fact that several I'M
! portant public officials arc In favor of
the union, Notwithstanding the fact that
\ their personal positions may be jeopar-
crt. of the Water Department, is in
4 favor of union. and has co-opcrated
with the committee from the Manches-
ter and Chesterfield Business Mems As
ISOLATION to that end. Postmaster
Smith has spoken in favor of union at
4 gatherings OF business men. Judge
/ Wells takes the aground that 1t is a
i matter for the people themselves to
decide, and If they SO vote at the polls
i he will not oppose tho union.
4 A member of the Council called at
4 tention to the fact yesterday that OF
/ the five who year or TWO aso led
!! the opposition two had died and tho
4 other three are now out OF office,
died and been succeeded by younger
men. Superintendent Of Schools D. L.
1 Puliam, who Was VIGOROUSLY opposed
4 TO union. was not re-clected by the
state Board Of Education The atti-
4 tude OF City Attorney Charles L. Page
4 led to his retirement and he has been
succeeded by man who, Whllo loon ,
4 ing out for Manchester's interests, VIII
4 not obstruct the passage of the con-
4 solidation act.
I VIII Vote To-NIorrow.
] Manchester committeeman arc ready
to meet tho Richmond committee to-
| mir ia
tho ordinance as agreed upon, and
i called meetings of the Council OF each
Il city will be held at once to pass on
4 the measure at the earliest possible
4 date. Mr.. Campbell, a member of the
4 consolidation committee. who has been
i i'll for some months with typhoid fever,
Is OUT again, and may be abe TO al
i tend the final meeting.
daughters of Liberty.
At u meeting of Select Council,
B Bspsnser Ipsto,nb D'r OF Riahmond in.
stalled the following officers: Council-
Johnson; recording secretary, II 4.
GIL: financial secretary Mrs, 4. j.
4 Belcher; treasurer, c. a; Raines; IN
Side guard, !. G. Belehsri outside
| Mrs. A. b. Johnson. Miss Clara IIouse~
/ man and Miss Alma Pcarson; repre-
i sentative to state body. Miss Clara
i IIouseman; alternate, Mrs a. G,
i Belcher.
Ins the Churches.
Services ut Asburs Methodist Church
! viii he conducted today by the pas
tor. Rev. ". G. Bnrsh who WI, speak ,s.
this morning on IN o na.se Man "a 't Con-
4 scientiously Wrong. III,
4 Onlcers and teachers or the Clopt3n
4 street Baptist Sunday, school WV o, %
4 Installed at a special se Isa, 70 ~
'' tey. j. NJ, Rowland will preach at
u was sir,naf Methodist church this morn
/ ing on the topic. "A Door q tiop ps.n ~
4 the Valley of Troubis an .. 'o-l'ssi.s
\ on nDelipered From Death.
FIGHT DUEL 10 DEATH