The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-06
Petersburg
MANY TAKE PART IN
PATRIOTIC CELEBRATION

Petersburg. Va, July 5.-Despite
the drizzling rain which fell yester.
day afternoon. a large number OF
representative people attended the
public meeting held in Central park
to commemorate the signing OF the
Declaration of Independence.
The service was the first OF the
kind held here in many years and II
was carried out solemnly with a iuii
realization Of the seriousness OF the
new Tight which America Is now max
ing for democracy.
Mayor Robert Gillian, one OF the
followers of the immortal Lee, pre-
sided and in a brief Introductory talk
referred to other similar services heid
in times past on the same spot, re-
calling scenes enacted in Central park
following the War Between the states
and upon other different occasions.
The opening hymn. Our Fathers
God, to Thee" led by H. b. Pritchard
and sung by combined chorus with
violin accompaniment, was followed
by prayer by the Rev. r. G. Davis,
then by the reading of the twenty
seventh Psalm by the Rev. La Nj.
Roper, D. D.
Superintendent r. NJ. Martin, Of the
public schools. followed in an address
on American History and the War
In Europe" after which How Firm
4 Foundation" was sung by the cho-
Rev. c. Braxton Bryan. D. D. of
Grace Episcopal church. spoke OF the
need for sober thought and action
during the present national crisis and
the service was closed with fervent
prayer by the Rev Father Martin j.
Haier
r FITS .T<.s4tl4- Re-e4e-at4efe
Following his reelection on Tues
day night as a member of the public
school board for the tenth consecu-
tive time, President j. r. W Smith
has qualified before the clerk of the
hastings court During his twenty
seven wears service on the school
board. Mr.. Smith has never failed TO
attend meeting OF that body. He
has never been prevented from at
tending on account Of sickness nb-
sences from the city or for other
cause, perhaps the most unique rec
ord held by any board member con-
nected with any department If IRE
city's government
Plea Of Self Defense Accepted.
George Cook, coiored was dis
charged from custody In police court
today upon lis plea of self~defense.
which was sustained by the evidence.
The difficulty which led up To the
shooting resulted over crap game.
in which fortv-ive cents were in
ing involved in the dispute. left the
scene to secure REVIEWERS and return ID
10 where the game had been in prog
ress In a statement 10 chief Of Po-
lice RaEland made AT the Petersburg
hospital where he was taken for
treatment. Davis accused Cook OF hav-
ing started the trouble claiming that
at the time he was shot he was try
inC 10 prevent Cook from shootin {
him Witnesses testified this morn
ing trat Cook drew his pistol and
shot DAVIS after DAVIS had attempt
ed 10 shoot h9rn
Lads Condition Serious.
The condition a. Charles Arthur
Sort Jr. who was run down ard
iNfured nv an automobile driven by
~ ~~l-anwn person AZ I,akemont park
r~S'nfaav afternoon and taken TO the
T":ersh 'rs hospital for treatment. Is
.Nrcrtsd as ne4 being SO critical as
2. las II first feared. Though suffer
- from numerous cuts and bruises
broken homes were found hy Dr
fesc~ne. tha attending physician. and
HsHs ~ The rhild's parents viii he
.'e1s0i 20 learn that he will he sbie
- return home within a few days
M arrest has been made in the ca Sc
Police Report for June
Arrests in Petersburg for drunken