The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-03
-IARTT[S MN
N CHURCH CONTEST
sEvENrEEN FOE CONTEMPT
Cited to Appear for Trial Because,
while Not Members OF Harrison
Street Cnurch, They Attempted 20
Participate In Election.

fetefsuuTk, va July S---AI spe-
cial term Of the Circuit Court OF
Judge Robert q. Southall. the cele-
brated case of the Harrison-Streetl
Baptist Church tcolored), which now
has been in the courts for more than
six years was heard. Action was
brought by Major and others VS..
Tartte and others 10 determine the re-
suit of the election OF officers of the
church ordered by the court. and
held under the direction OF Common
wealth's Attorney Haskins Hobson, Of
Chesterfield County. who was appoint
ed by the court as special commits
ssoner for the purpose of holding the
election, which gave a majority OF
eleven in favor of the Anti-Tartte fac
ton. The commissioners report was
confirmed BY the court. which is very
pleasing to both the white and color
ed population.
The court has cited seventeen per-
sons who presented themselves at the
meeting held under Commissioner
Hobson. claiming to be members OF
the church.. to show cause why they
should not he fined and punished for
contempt of court in endeavoring to-
attend and vote at this meeting when
their names did not appear upon the
official roll of the church. as adopted
by the court. These cases will be
tried at the October term.
James w. Gordon and James F.
Minor, OF Richmond represented the
anti-Tartites. and Hon. r.. b. Davis,
OF this city, appeared for the sTartte
faction.
Contempt cases of Eli Tartte and
Others for the alleged violation of
decree entered by Judge Jesse r.
West were commenced this afternoon,
but are not expected to be completed
before late tomorrow.
Recalls Interesting Case.
Information has been received here
through Attorney Robert Gillian from
Governor Henry Garter Stuart that
the sentence of Waverly Blanks mas
been commuted to two years and thar
he will be released from the Peniten-
| tiary In September.
The case is one which attracted
widespread interest, in which Waver-
ly Blanks railway fireman. was
charged with shooting and killing OF
causing the death of Engineer George
Nunnaily in house on Grove Ave-
nue., in which Mr.. Nunnally was rent
| ing a room and In which Waveriy
Blanks with his family lived In an
Iupper fiat The jury found Blanks
guilty. and fixed his punishment at
| 1--WE years IN the Penitentiary.
The case attracted large crowds TO
| the Hastings Court room and Blanks
was ably represented by Samuel W.
Nmmer now Commemorative Attor-
new Of Petersburg. The evidence
tended to show that the two men had
ouarreied over a statement wnlch
/ Nunnaily was alleged to have made 10
blanks wife. The shooting occurred
In NunnaIly.s room. and Blanks CHIEF
witness claimed that Nunnaliy first
/ fred at him. the bullet striking nam
! In the hip and then turned the re-
Ivoiver upon himself. committing
suicide. The revolver used was the
property OF Nunally, and it was testi-
/ iied nv n witness TO have been in
Nnnnally's room and beneath his pill
tlow an the bed which Sunally was
! asleep that afternoon The theory OF
/ the prosecution was that Blanks. VINO
| was much the smaller Of the two men.
IN some secured possession OF
i Nunnafiy's pistol and dill the shoot
ling. A number of witnesses VINO sat
ana heard all the evidence did not
/ agree with the verdict of the jury and
with the prosecutions theory. and are.
In consequences. much pleased with
! the action of Governor Stuart.
MAYOR Buys Apartment House
Mayor Robert Cabaniss on yester-
dav purchased at auction the Center
! Hill Apartment. sold under a deed %
trust by Mr.. william B. McIiwaine
for the sum OF $4,000. The apart.
ments we're commenced several
months ago, the walls being COM
Melted and the roof constructed. the
/ building Is a five-story brick struc-
tire and was designed to contain
I asasf,tv roorrs HYftf fwessy -ffwe bat ne.
/ II il stated that Mayor Cabanlss Will
rush the apartments to compleuon.
/ Hold Joint Meeting.
Al iosnt meeting of the City Coun-
icil was called together for last even
ring for the purpose O. electing a
register of the water works to sue
Iceed w. T. Muicaha. resigned; also TO
I elect 4 member OF the Police and Fire
j Comnlission and members OF the
school Board. The meeting resulted
/ IN several heated discussions and adj
Tournament until tonight when an
/ other effort will be made to TRANSACT
1.-THE business proposed.
lsuNDAY SERVICES OF
i THE SALVATION ARMY.