The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-12-20
|DOlD H|eHWAVnFh Arc.
BUSY N PETERSBURG
II. Il. Mayer Is Held Up AMI Robbed
While OF Way Home
from Work.
DEATH OF JAMES A. FEM
Interesting Musical Rccital-Mcr-
chants Seport Most Prosperous
Era in History OF Cty-Grfcf mt
Death Of j. w. Holt.

Era in History OF Cty-Gricf Mt
/, Death Of j. W. Holt.
Petersburg, Va, Dec. 19.-Although
the Petersburg police, as well as the
police of Hopewell are on the alert
at all times to apprehend highway
men, pickpockets and the numerous
other kinds of thieves who are now
plying their trade in this section be-
fore they succeed in getting their
work, reports are frequently made to
the police OF hold-ups and other rob-
berries. This section seems to be in
tested with larger number OF bold
thieves now than ever before in its
history. and all manners of depreda-
tons are being committed.
The record for yesterday and last
night in Petersburg and vicinity was
quite a long one, among robberies re-
iported being the following:
Bold Highway Robbery.
Mr., Il. r. Mayer. a resident Of Din
widdie County, but for number OF
years house superintendent of the
Augustus Wright Shoe Company, was
held up and robbed about 1880 o'clock
last evening while on his way home
a short distance from Collier, the
thieves securing about $40 in moneS
and a valuable gold watch.
Mr.. Mayer drives into the city daily
in sulky. and at the close OF the
day returns in the same way. AZ he
was approaching his home. a short
distance southwest of Butterw orth' 8
Bridge last evening, one Of three ne
groes grabbed him from behind and
pttfleJ him Nm nff his vehicIa
When he attempted to give an outcry,
one Of the three showed a revolver
into his mouth and held him helpless.
while the other two relieved him of
his belongings.
Snatch Thief Escapes.
Mrs j. A. Sergeant was the victim
Of a snatch thief yesterday afternoon
while walking along West Washington
Street. in the vicinity of the First
Baptist Church The thief. who was
n white man, snatched Mrs Sergeant's
silver meshbaE and escaped by run
ming through the rear Of the church
yard over high wall and through
the Dunlop property at Hinton and
Davis Streets,
Thomas Hunt colored, was assault.
ed and robbed of seT50 by three
negroes In Cuthbert's Alley today.
After the hishwaymen had secured all
of Hunts money, one OF them cut his
throat with a knife or razor. almost
ideeapitatirg. him. II required four
teen stitches to sew up the wound IN
n!cted in the negro's throat. and i, Is
alnos. a miracle that he escaped with
his life.
Prosperity Reigns Supreme
Petersburg business houses are now
enjoying about the best business in
the history of the city. Although yes
5terday was not PAYDAY at the DUPONT
a rushing business and nm until late
last night the streets were still crowd
ed with busy shoppers. There never
has been such a period of prosperity
49, is now being entoyed in this Sec
ton
There were many DRINKS upon the
streets yesterday and last night and
MANY arrests were made, but few OF
them were OF any consequence The
greatest difficulty which Petersburg
merchants have encountered during
This busy period is securing competent
saiespeople 10 handle the trade.
Death Of Mr.. Fem.
Mr.. James Allen Fem. well-known
and highly regarded citizen. for nifty
years resident OF Petersburg. died
at the Petersburg Hospital today. aged
eighty eighty years. He is survived
10y one son and one daughter. Mr..
Frank ]. Fem. of Richmond, and Mrs
w. T, Bowen, of this city. .
The funeral arrangements have not
been completed.
Cora Elizabeth Eiey, aged twenty.
one months, daughter of Mr.. w. S. and
Mrs. Mary f.. Eley. of kirkham Street
died at o'clock yesterday afternoon
at the Petersburg Hospital. following
a brief Illness. The funeral and In
terruent took piaco this afternoon