Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-14
OLD POINT.
NEWS IN AND AROUND TIE
HTCEIA HOTEL.

| Correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch. J
OLD POINT COMFORT, VA, !
February IL, 1886.
The spring season at the Hygeia Ho-
tel is now fairly inaugurated, and gives
promise Of being the most brilliant in
its history. A formal opening took
place on the Ist instant, when ball
was given, at which the officers and
ladies of the garrison joined with the
guests and had a most enjoyable eye-
ming. The fine band Of the Artillery
School has been engaged for the season
and now affords nightly music for the
guests who may desire to dance. The
ice embargo has delayed to some ex-
tent the arrivals anticipated during the
past week but now that navigation is
open the house will be crowded before
the end Of the month.
There have been a number OF
changes--and all for the better-made
here since the close Of the summer sea-
son. The old Turkish-bath room has
been torn away, and new one, with
all the latest improvements and about
three times as large, replaces it. This
also includes handsome marble pool
for plunge-bath, and is now one ofthe
most complete to be found anywhere.
The intermediate parlor adjoining the
pavilion-where the chaperons sit and
chat, while their charges dance and fiirt
with the ofiicers-has been greatly en-
larged. The pool-room and music
room have been torn away and their
space utilized new chimney Of tri-
angular form replaces the old one Il; the
windows are furnished with handsome
stained glass, giving it " dim, religious
light" and the room is handsomely car
peted and furnished throughout. The
front of the hotel has also been very
much improved by concrete pave
ment, extending from the wharf past
the house and across the street, while
the roadway has been filled in with
crushed granite. giving it a clean and
neat appearance. In addition to this
the house has been reprinted inside and
out, and is as clean as new pin from
cellar to garrett.
Matters at the post have been quiet
during the winter, the officers pursuing
their studies closel y-the only break
in the monotory being an occasional
theatrical performance given by the
officers and ladies of the garrison in the
hop-room.
Governor Woodfin, at the Soldier
Home, is looking after the sixteen hun
bred odd inmates now at that institu-
tion and using his best efforts to hurry
up the new hOspital-building, which is
approaching completion as rapidly as
the weather will admit
The Normal School at Hampton has
large attendance, and is pursuing the
ever tenor Of its way. General Arm.
strong. the energetic principal, is always
glad TO see visitors, and takes a par.
donable pride in the progress made by
the scholars.
The sad news Of General Hancock
death was shock to his many friends
at the post, both in and out of the army
He was personally known to nearly
every officer at the post, and there is
but one expression among them-tha'
Of regret at the loss Of so gallant an
officer and heartfelt sympathy for hi,
bereayed family. The writer of These
lines served for six months as cipher
operator at his headquarters, and al
ways found him /" "a PLAIN, blunt man
who loved his friends.''
Right Rev. Bishop Stevens, Of Phila
delphia, accompanied by his wife and
daughter and DR.. Mitchell az daugh
ter, arrived here this morning on q
visit. The Bishop has been i'll for some
time, and change being advisable, the
physician ordered him to come here. II
order that he might accomplish thu
journey with as little fatigue as posi-
BILE President Roberts, Of the Penn
sylvania Central, rendered him the ust
Of his private car, which the party en-
tered last evening in Philadelphia anC
stepped out of at the wharf here thil
morning, the car being on board thu
steamer Cape Charles.
Colonel Richard Lodor, Third artil
lery, a classmate Of Governor Lee, anC
one Of the efficient corps of instructor,
at the Artillery School, has been or
dered to New York as q member Of {
board to examine and report upon thu
merits Of the Zalinsky dynamite gun
with a view to its adoption by the Gov
eminent. Colonel LOdor is not the kinC
of a man to submit report that is no
in strict accordance with the facts, anC
if the gun has merit or demerit it will
be known.
Captain Charles A. Rooth, assistan
ouartermaster, left last Monday 70
Cincinnati to attend a meeting Of tn
Loyal Legion Of Honor, now in session
in that city.
DR.. j. G. Bailey, post surgeon, lef
last evening for Westchester, Pa. t
visit his aged father, who is in delic,t
health.
Mr.. Charles Bliyer, of Portsmouth
Va, has been awarded the contract 70
making repairs to the wharves at tn
post, the consideration being abou
$4,000; work to commence April lst
Mr.. Libbey, member Of Congress frou
this district, is endeavoring to secur
an appropriation sufficient to rebuilt,
the main wharf, with iron piles, ston
piers, &C., which is very much needed
as the tide makes short work Of tn
wooden piles in these waters. He ais
has bill to erect new post-ofiice here
and | think any of your readers VIII
have seen the old one, will join me il
saying it's contamination devoutl
to be wished b.
| OTTP WICHTNGTDN LETTER