davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
The Early Life of Colonel w. W. Gordon.
To the Editor Of de DisDdfch:

10 ne EdtOf OF utt DtHpt"t"'
TAPPAHANNocK. December Z, 1892:
Allow one who knew him and enjoyed his
companlonship as q neighbor from boy
hoods earliest days to mature manhood TO
Law chaplet upon the grave OF his departed
friend. Colonel Gordon, as your CORE
spondept and editorial has well SAID, was
n man of wonderful intellectual endow-
ment. whose mind, meteor-llke, scared far
above that of ordinary men.
What has been said Of him describes MN
so accurately that | need add nothing, out
he deserves more than passing notlce,
and the writer desires to call attention 10
one or two incidents in his llfe-career IN
yerifcation of what has been sald.
Al the virginia Military Institute, where
be Graduated at the head OF his class, 1t
was said of him that he seemed 10 learn
nv intuition. He mastered the most diin-
cult problems almost at q glance; anu IL
was stated by General Smith, the Iate SUI
perintendent, that he was tine oTlgnlesI
young man who had ever attenueo 'he in-
stitHte. ,.
ticing LAWYER. when located in New hent
county. he was employed here by gentle
man to defend him in large lumber con-
tract. the saw-mill men claiming the de-
livery Of much more lumber than the de-
fendant admitted.
Several Of the most promlncnI la"SVl
in this section were employed on elther
side. The cause had been continued troln
the last term, the jury failing to agree.
Colonel Gordon came in at the lsSL tflal'
his first appearance here at the par.
Such eminent counsel as Robert Mayo
Of Westmorelond, and Chauncey Gris-
void, of your city, were IN the case;
Colonel Gordon adopted different ilne Oh
argument from his associates. nc a5ceL-
tanned the dimensions of the scow WINCH
brought the lumber the NUMBER oI
loads and by calculation showed that a
hoat of such size could only carry so much
lumber. and easily figured out the quantity
which his client admitted 10 recSlfeu'
and won the case. ,.,,t
This directness Of argument brought
convection at once. His habit OF twirIing
his KEYS among his fingers and pacing Tue
courtroom absorbed in thought When no
had case pending was inherited irou ms
father. except in lieu Of keys he USED ms
nen. knife. For forty or more years III.
Gordon was my fathers family physician
and attached friend and neighbor, ana ne
would do this in the sick-room ana NJ so-
cial gatherings, apparently not opssifius
what was going on around him.
Colonel Gordon was the soul Oh houo'
from his earliest boyhood, disdalning any :
thino unmanly or indecorous lie was IN.
different TO popular applause, doing "aae .se
he believed to be right regardless Oh .no
nonnlar estimate, rather stunning conn
mendation. he was truly "a man among
men,"
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
very needful TO make this already splendid
department complete in all its branches.


Richmond has been exceedingly for
tunate in securing chiefs for her Fire De-
partment.
Lewis l.. Barnes. Esq, was the first chief
of tho paid department He was sue.
ceeded by William A. Charters, who was
serving with distinction whom the provost
marshal (the city then beng under mill
tary rule) required the lron-clad oath Of
him. Chief Charters refused 10 take this
and was deposed, and Frank Mullen was
made chief by the marshal. After tho
military were withdrawn the Council
unanimously reelected Mr.. Charters. and
he served faithfully until he met his death
with many others in the great Capitol dis
aster, where the department was called TO
the sad duty Of digging out their chief
among others. Captain George A. Ainslie
succeeded Mr.. Charters and was an eff
clent and faithful officer. He resigned
and was followed in Office by Captain G..
Watt Taylor, whose zeal and fine judg-
ment As fire-fghter brought the depart
ment to high state of efficiency. There
are in tho department to-day many evil
dences OF his work while chief. He was
defeated by tie Reform Council, Mr..
fuQua being chosen TO the position.
THE oHEF AND HIS ASSISTANT.
Mr.. W. @. Puller. the present chief, was
then elected 10 the office, and be has held
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11

- - -
aldermen, &c, who
get pay for a part
Of their time. Very
recently the salaries
of the engineers and
helpers we're in
creased, and now
the runners. who
receive only Sl5 per
month, and the cap
tains, who are paid
the munIfcent O.
sum Of $50 per
month, are asking
10 be increased TO
so and S25, re-
spectively. Il II .
Board Of Fire Com
missloners have re-
commended to the
Council that their
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11

Ass1sTANT-CHIrF SHAW. cipliDarian. He
is assisted in his work by Mr.. George G.
Shaw. who has been connected with the
Fire Department of Richmond for many
years, and who 10 one of the most faithful
of workers at all fires.
Mir. w. II. Thompson. the present su-
perintendcnt Of the Fire-Alsrm Depart
Inent, has made himself almost indispensa-
BILE to the department proper. His wing
OF the service has greatly increased in USE
fulness and in facilities. New wiring is
going on every day. and new repeaters Of
the banisOmest and most improved charac-
ter are now being purchased.
Among the most disastrous fires which
have visited Richmond during the past
quarter OF a century the most notable were
the burning of the Petersburg bridge, the
HaXall- Cronshaw Mills, tho Sumac-M Mills,
James Leigh JOues's factory, Belvins fur
niturc-faCtory, Cameron d Sizer's estab-
hsLmout, Klngan Il Co. factory, Phillips
81 STEMS store, J.. II. Mayo * Brothers
tobacco-factory, the Southern Manufac-
turing COmpauy's plant, the Locomotive
Works, aud the Gram Elevator.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11

I'' .amlletely remodelled the Fulton
use and, IN fact, every building IN tho
80. 80 mont has been improved and made
"ireNcal.y new.
il ihg matter Of getting new engines and
..sia,as the commissioners have made
strides. They have purchased and
40 l.f three new La France and two
,,@pp a Jones engines, each Of which ~
,.4i'Atead 10 throw $50 gallons OF
's-.1f Der minute distance OF 275
y, Tie last one of these engines
!, app a Jones--has Just been placed
= vac bfOad-stfeet house and its beau
ahd power is the pride Of the de.
sI''Ment. 1he next purchase VIII proba-
- Oe chemical engine. which Is thing
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11

! Z tuUlcientiy
long toprove his
efficiency an d
adaptability to
the work. III o
gives his entire
time TO the de-
partment, an d
makes q study
OF its needs. By
the board his
record is con-
sidered an en-
via b le on o.
Chief Puller has
great presence
of mind under
pressure of ex-
citemont, is o
IN an OF in
domitable cour-
age, and IL a
splendid dis
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
NO OFFICIAL SETTLEMENT.
Card from Secretary Haley, ofthe Granite
Cutters Union.
RIoHMoSD, VA, December 1892.

RICHMOND, VA, December 1892.
To ne Editor of the D1SDdtch:
In this mornings issue of the DIsPA TcH
your Petersburg correspondent has a para
graph stating that the granite-cutters of
that city who were locked out last June
had accepted the propositions rendered
them a the time Of the lockout.
We respectfully inform your correspond
ent of the fact that he has been mlsin-
formed, as there IS no settlement made yet
between the Granite-Cutters National
Union and tho cOntesting employers. 4
recognized settlement requires the affixed
signatures of both parties interested 20
make it bona fife. The employers have
cOurted an interview with some of their
former employees, offering suggestions for
q settlement. and such has been forwarded
to the National Executive Board OF the
union tor their consideration, which is re-
uuired before any local branch can act
definitely on questions Of such import
ance. There is no settlement made yet as
required, and we can youch tor IL that
there will be changes in the proposition
offered, either previously or recently, by
the employers before q settlement can be
effected.
As for the $4,000 loss in output wages,
60. the granlte-cutters' losses don't figure
in it, as those men who were locked out
found employment elsewhere, many of
them being steadily employed in Rich
mond since the lockout at the same rate
of wages paid or demanded in Petersburg.
Gentlemen, don't order the frame before
the picture IS ready.
| hope the DISPATCH will favor rs with
this insertion, thereby giving US an oppor-
tanity to state facts in the question of the
lockout. and as an act of justice TO those
who are still insisting on full recognition
of what Is right. Respectfully,
JOHN HALEY.
Corresponding Secretary Richmond
Branch Granite-Cutters' National Union
of the United States.
In reference 10 the above communica-
ton the Petersburg correspondent of the
DlsPATCH has been requested TO state that
there has been no Official settlement Of the
strike at the Petersburg Granite Quarrying
Company between the company and the
cutters who went out on q strike last Jnne,
and II at the points in dispute cannot be
finally settled until the Granite Cutters
Union and the quarry company agree upon
terms and mutually sign papers TO that
effect. Some of the men have returned to
their work,
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
VIRGINIA AFFAIRS.
The Question of Ballot Reform to BE Agi-
tated by the Populists.
[Rlchmond special 10 the Baltimore s

(Rlchmond special to the Baltimore SUM-
The question OF ballot reform in this
State Will be aeitated by the Populists, not
only in the campaign for county officers
next spring, but in the more important one
for State officers in the fall. The Austria
lian system has many strong advocates IN
Virginia, but there are those who find some
objections to il. The Third-partyltes Will
make this election-law reformation an i'm:
portant issue in the two campaigns, or
next year. Many Democratic leaders
are inclined to the opinion that some
change will be made in the near future. IL
has been suggested that constitutional
convention might be called ana proper re-
strictions placed upon the franchise. ms
suggestion was made and strongly adyo..
Gated tour or five years ago BY some OK
Mr.. Blaine's intimate friends in virginia
They now favor the same sort or policy-
of course, for reasons entirely diherent
from those which influence the Democrats:
Mr.. Blaine's friends and other prominent
Republicans and Populists desire ballot
law which will disfranchise the negro.
This, they claim. is the only possible solu,
tion Of the problem for breaking the solid
South
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
Corresponding Secretary Richmond
PROFESSOR TYRReLL TO LECTURE
lie WIN Discourse on Latin Poetry at
Richmond College.

IkltttnuNh AuitFEFs
The trustees Of Richmond College meet
on December 18th IN the confereuce-rooms
of the Second Baptist church. As pre-
uaratory the standing committees of the
board are getting their work IN order.
The Library and Ihomas-Lecture commit
tees met at the college on Wednesday and
brought uD their work to date. II ls un-
derstood that the Thomas lectures Will be
broadened in future by the introduction
Of literature this year in the line of Latin
poetrv. Professor Iyrrell, of Dublin Uni
versitv. Ireland, is the chosen lecturer.
He comes to Johns Hopkins University In
February, and the college committee are
expecting him here after his course In
that great school.
The Library Committee had full reports
Of past work and the additions OF books,
busts. &C., by recent purchase. Mrs.
James Thomas a few days ago sent Mr..
Writ Henry's three volumes on Patrick
Henry. for which thanks were returned.
During his recent trip TO Europe Professor
BoatwTight, under commission from the
committee. secured some valuable works
fo- tho Modern Languages aud Physics
schools. and also busts of Goethe and
Schiller. A full line of books and maga-
zines for professors and students were or
dered for the current session: Inc anhual
renort shows IL ,450 books on the catalogue,
mostly new and in nice order. during the
wear there has been q great increase IN the
number of Voung men making use or the
library equipment. They oil get It's
treasures free of cost, there being no IL
brary fee required.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
Talley, ". L. Wallace, II. t. Miller, hose.

Talley, ". l.. -Wallace, II. 7. Miller. hose
men; Richard II. Trice, smithsonian.
near Fulton-One Silsby engine, two
horses; one four wheel combination host
and iadier wagon, two horses. Foreman
George NJ. Rogers: Engineer, T.. II. Wei
mer Helper. ]. 7. Grubbs; Hostler. J.
w. Naeglo; Extra Station. Man, w. II.
Sears II. w. MAYS, w. Q. Gayle, w. II.
ChIldress, Thomas II. Davis. w. u. Chris
tian, and @. II. Smith. hosemen Walter
Wood and G. J.. Gullett, sub-hosemen.
Truck Company No. 1-Broad street be-
tween Ninth and Tenth-One Hayes truck
with eigh'y-fve feet extension-ladders,
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
Johnnis's Proverb.
[Harper's Bazar.l
Johnny. give me q proyerb." -.
4" "Amputation is the thief OF legs"

We have seen Colonel O'Ferralps name
mentioned in connection with the position
Of Postmaster General in Mr.. Cleyeland's
Cabinet Clarke Courier.
We see 1t ofteusr mentioned In connec-
tion with the gubernatorisl nomination.
RICHMOND DIsPAToE.
Yes. and when that subject ripens we
will not be surprisedto see 1t mentioned
oftenest.-- Clarke Courier.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
leaked on. and feminine tornado OF re-
buke swept over the household.

Several young ladies who reside on
Church Hill recently became inspired with
q desire TO don some Of their brothers
clothes, so one night they fixed them
selves in masculine attire and called to
see one of their girl friends in the neigh
borhood. All hands thought the JOKE
was lust awfully nice.n and 50 it was
until they started TO 90 home; but then
o horrible catastrophe occurred. Just as
the fair deceivers arrived at their
gate they saw o gentleman ascending
the steps, end recognized the visitor
as one OF their admirers. The
situation was terrible one, and the en-
barrassed maidens were so appalled, at
their impending danger that they turned
and fed precipitately around q side street.
The young man, a little surprised at this
procedure and halt-suspecting who the
boys were. thought 1t best under the
circumstances 10 pursue the tlmid indi-
vlduals, and there was q spirited chase.
But young ladies who wear cutaway coats
and Plymouth-Rook trousers labor under
many disadvantages when they try their
speed, and 50 they were soon captured.
Their bushes were Just beautiful, and 1t
was really pitiful to hear them begging
the gentleman not to tell anybody"
Sergeant Major r. b. Hickok. Of the
First Virginia Regiment, IS very good
fellow, with but few sins on his shoulders.
and when the general roll is called" he
will stand triumphant among the chosen.
Everybody will tell you this about Dick"
But, Notwithstanding these assurances. he
was awfuly alarmed when he heard few
days ago that the big comet was going to
bump against this mundane sphere. For
days the genial citizen was IN a state OF
awful agitation, and the. thing preyed on
his mind until he actually excited the SYM
nathy of his friends. Ii was evident that
EDickn wasn't quite satisfied with his past
career. and when he went home at night
he was wofully repenteut. But the danger
is past now. and the worthy officer IS as
chirpy as spring chicken.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
A Coat Misplaced.

Huuker: What odd things the ladies
wear nowadays
spatts: So they do. What were you
thinking about
Hunker: Well. there IS Miss Linger Wild
a coat Of paint on each cheek.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
TIE FIRH DEPARTMENT.

? u NLA Y - 80
two horses A.; one
four-wheel c o m
bination hose ond
ladder wagon, two
horses. j. III. Red
wood. foreman
John AIacble, enCi-
neer: Charles q.
Goode, helper; l..
VI. Bail, hOstlcr
W. Is. Smith, ex-
ira station 81 man
Adam Schmidt, W.
i. Epps, j. w.
Woodward, Oscar
Epps. l.. L. Powell,
Henry Schmidt,
T., < E0vfr
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11

EASTERN INSANE ASYLUM.
Annual Report of Superlntendent Non
cure-The improvements.

Annual Report of Superintcndene HON
cure-Ths improvements.
Correspondence Of tho Richmond Dispatch.l
WILLIAMSBURG. Va, December 10.-Dr.
James ID. Moncure. superintendent OF tho
Eastern Insane Asylum, submitted the fol-
lowing annual report;
EEFoRT.
The fiscal year opened with 42l patients
2i0 males and Isl females; 9j patients
were admitted during the years. males
and 80 females. The whole number treat
ed was 5l7-males, $685. females, 2l4.
There were discharged during tho year 80
patents-24 males and Is females; males
and / female as improved, males and
females as uniuproyed, 2 females as
not insane, and male by order OF court.
The average present during the year was
1925 males and l7S females. During
the year AZ deaths occurred-23 males and
10 females. OF these patients 10 were over
60 years Of age, l was 50. and over 40.
A number Of them died from effects of cpl
demIc influenza or the.grlp, which was very
prevalent during the months OF December,
January. and February. In several wards
80 per cent. were confined TO their beds az
one time, and every attendant on two
wards were at the same time i'll IN bed. In
June for three weeks an epidemic OF
dysentry prevailed and prostrate1 good
many patients. There were no deaths
from climatic causes. One hundred and
seventy-three applications for admission
were received at this asylum during the
year, of whom we were able to admit g6-
50 males and 80 females.
THE SEw BUILDING.
It affords me pleasure to report that the
new building, for which the Legislature
appropriated $4,000, is being erected as
rapidly as we could expect and, hope,
will be ready for occupation by the LIST OF
January. regret that the same Leglsia-
ture failed to make sny appropriation Tor
the support of the additional 100 female pa
tients, as it is obvious that we cannot take
care of tbatnumher of people on the former
amount Of money paid for support of pa.
tients. At the rate of $3.50 per capita 1t VIII
require an extra Appropriation OF Sl2.5
Evevy effort has been made TO introduce q
freprOtection he.e. and. trust, this much
yexed question will soon be settled toyour
satisfaction. The financial report of the
steward exhibits an entirely satisfactory
condition Of our finances, which have been
managed with discriminating economy
during the year. The superintendent con-
cudes by expressing his appreciation
Of the valuable aid rendered by the
officers and employees. and calls spe-
c;al attention TO my industrious farmer "
for having furnished the patients
with an abundant supply of vegetables IN
spite of our very unreasonable spring ana
early summer" and extends cordial thanks
10 the Board of Directors for their deVo-
tion shown IN the trust cOnhded 10 them
by the State, and expresses TO each MS
deep personal obligation for the assistance
and wise counsel so freely and conslde-
rately shown during the year.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11

,..f and hfty-six fremen in full
l' .lt splepdidly-polished bran
With twice as many hand
r' st.ached, three magnificent
and thrice as many hose
IS as Drawn by equally stylish
nays. all IN line, would
s.. ..,-,t, spectacle, would they
rmplcte inventory OF tho
.t I-a Department, which has
.+. Ie an institution 81 maenl-
.... ...-,e Of great pride 10 tho
rs next Thursday afternoon
H ...-.t inspection Of the de-
O.. Co.. . Board OF Fire Comms-
...e place, and the Mayor,
mon. aud Common Council
r,el 20 be present. The re-
lr .lsce IN front OF the present
.A Broad street between
.' ..--a. ard every man and piece
...-f. tie entire department Will
..s-.,9rs to this branch Of the
.... love caused her FIRE Depart
3D.. s-...i 10 none N the entire
...-. the population into con-
Ir TO other respect has Rlcn-
Sic. progress during TIE past
r-- r>r srEAsrEB N 'J3.
..-. r...mond had but one steam
... It was constructed by Etten-
....-.. OK this city, and Its home
.... street between Broad and
3. -, Engine Company No. is
IaIs steamer responded 10
..r. excellent work until 1889.
.... implanted ty Clapp *
s'sam-onEjne was donated TO
.. ..a insurance on the con-
..r CT. should also purchase q
-.r Council was rather slow IN
... .u the mean time the spots
ID. occurred. IN which many
srl very valuable property
ttt.r this holocaust the peo-
.....' ... made complaints as to the
..a CITY fathers, and subse-
rr.ttae went 70 Philadelphia
... t.e matter Of purchasing a
..t there bought two engines,
.r-! became we'll known
... -...a' and the "Hand-in-
.-.....r after these machines came
t.at o terrible drought
.-....... section. and they were placed
......' .s.s au3 the water from that
.,.,. v., jumped by them into the
..-.-.7S or TIE BOARD.
..r...l .cfore there was any ma
... .-.-.. fle department. and these
.......-- .l1 some additional appa-
.... .. g. hurud's fiTe-fightlng until
-..... rrueut was TeOrganlZed IN
....... rl of Fire Commissioners.
.... ... -.at ums the Council had
...-..f t. troucn and apparatus, but
r... ..-- b.. virtue OF an act Of the
........-. re fire and tre-alarm depart
....-. r...al under the management
.I... .. fire commissioners to
49,. .- .r. member from each ward.
-.. .-.. was composed Of ". A.
.-. r.-..4.l Ward j. h. Frischkorn,
.-. H.-r John s. H5Twood, Madl-
-.... -.rl J.. Levy. Monroe Ward;
-... ..... Gay Ward \. '. Randolph,
b. vcs .aken i'll one day in the
..-inc-hOuse and died
... .-.-. He was succeeded by Cap
...... ...t rlJr. formerly chief of the
.-- term expired. and Cap
.. N..- lagi1r was elected IN hls
.~ Major Randolph moved ont
Ward and Mr.. ". j. Gentry
o. -... al.ee on the board. About
..- sly. Gentry resigned and
...... ciparl was made his sue
.. t...-. r..iou of the term Of Mr..
-. r.-.. Cay Ward, Mr. Frank p.
...r. .,...t.l - i.il the vacancy.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11

i0vlAl, g-hcarted.
broad d-shouldered
member from Jet
fer-on Wari, was
made president Of
the board when II
was first organized.
and his universal
popularity, un-
wavering integrity,
aud business sagaci-
has maintained 1t
for hlm ever since.
fa Is o fine pre-
siding officer.
Since the crea-
ton of tins com
mission Doth the
lire AMI Fire
Al l.aarffp4nfa
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11

petition be granted. II any, class of tho
citv's cmployees are entitled TO more pay
il is tbis one. and 1t is considered a matter
of common justice that these fremen
should be given the small advance they
ask.
Every man. every horse, and every piece
of apparatus viii be shown next ilurgGGA3y
afternoon IN thorough working orcer. Inc
review will be unique and interesting.
THE MEN AND TIE MACHINES.
The following is q full roster OF the de-
nartment. including the character OF every
Tiece of apparatus, the location OF engine
houses, &C.:
TIE FIRR DEPARTMENT.
Chief Engineer, W. G. Puller;, First
Assistant Chief. George G. Shaw: Second
Assistant Chief, L. L. Snead; Secretary, u.
Fire-Alarm Department--W. II. Thomp-
son, superintendent; q. +. faynter's as as
sistent superintendent; A. stephan, fore
man Of construction; II. ". Stubs, line
man and messenger. er.,.
Engine Company No. l-Twenty-htth
Ilrcod nua 1 "A Franco engine,
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-11
OUR YIGuTIvG FORCE.

The Fire and tlre-A Alarm departments
at present have torty-slx men in perma-
uo0t aruplov and no runners hplunrs