The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-09
OPINIONS GIVEN
BY APPEAL COURT
Thirty-Three Cases Appealed
From Various Counts of the
State Are Decided
NO REWARD DUE
SERVANTS OF PUBLIC
Highest Tribunal Holds That
Policeman Who Recovered
Jewelry is Not Entitled
to Reward Offered

Opinions in thirty-three cases ap-
pealed from lower courts throughout
the State were handed down on
Thursday BY the Supreme Court of
Appeals of Virginia.
The judgment OF the Law and Eaui-
ty Court OF the city OF Richmond
was reversed In the case OF Buck
against Nance. This case involved the
question OF whether policeman lis
entitled to a reward offered for the
recovery OF stolen jeweiry. The court
holds that the public servant In not
entitled TO the reward.
In the case OF Jackson's admins
traitor against Wfckham and North
rop. receivers. the judgment OF the
Corporation Court of the city OF Man
chester was reversed, the higher tri-
bunal awarding damages to the heirs
of the plaintiff. who died after an in
jury on a street car.
The Supreme Court affirmed the de-
cree OF the Circuit Court OF the city
of Richmond. which ruled II had no
decision in the case OF the Western
State hospital against the general
board of the State hospital for the
insane. The case grew out of a Will
eaving a valuable farm to the trus-
tees of the State hospital at Staun-
ton. Va.
Nance Loses Reward.
The case of Buck against Nance
has aroused much interest, especially
OF this city. left bag containing
In police circles. Mrs. william Buck.
jewels worth several thousand dollars
in a sleeper when she alighted from
train in Richmond after making a
Journey here from New York city In
December, 1908, She offered a reward
of $1,000 for the recovery OF the
jewels.
Samuel Tucker negro cleaner.
was arrested on suspicion of the theft
and under REORGANIZATION admit
ted to Deputy Sergeant l.. NJ. Nance
that he had hid the jewels under the
front steps OF his home. The negro
accompanied the deputy sergeant and
Nance recovered the stolen property.
Nance claimed the reward offered by
Mrs Buck and was awarded the
money by the Law and Equity Court.
The Supreme Court reversed the de-
cision OF the lower court, holding that
Nance la not entitled to the money,
that 1t is the duty OF every public
officer, especially the consta bulary, to
aid In the detection of crime, punish
ment Of criminals and enforcement OF
the laws and that failure to do so
would be a fragrant dereliction OF duty
Suit For Damages.
The case of Jackson's administra-
tor against Wickham and Northrop
dates back to the institution OF suit
for damages by Mrs. Emma Lee Jack
son against Wickham and Northrop,
receivers for the Virginia Passenger
| and Power Company. The woman
claimed damages for injuries suffered
when she was thrown from a car in
Hull near Ninth street. Manchester
She stepped on the running board with
her four-year-old daughter in her
| arms. but before she could alighs, II
was alleged the car was started.
| throwing Mrs. jackson and the girl
! to the ground.
AT the first trial OF the case In the
Corporation Court of Manchester the
plaintiff was awarded $1,000. but the
court set aside the verdict. At the
second trial no evidence was intro
duced by either side and the jury
| gave q verdict In favor OF the defen-
| dants. Shortly after this Mrs. Jack
son died.
Heirs to Receive Money.
J. 8. jackson. who qualified as her
| administrator. was granted writ Of
error by the Supreme Court. and In
| its opinion the higher court states 1t
is clear that the trial court erred in
setting aside the frst verdict. The
judgment OF the lower court was re-
versed.
In the action of the Western State
hospital against the general board OF
the State hospital for the insane. the
Supreme Court upheld the decision OF
| the Circuit Court OF Richmond that II
had no jurisdiction In the casa The
dissension between tho hospitals arose
over the will OF Sidney n. Murkland.
in which he left farm Of I69 acres
.kConttnued on Third PAgs.l