davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14
NORFOLKs NOT IN GOOD FORM.
Only Seven of the Nineteen VIII
Wear That Cfty's Uniform.

NORFOLK, VA, April l3.-(Special.)-
The baseball team which is to represent
Norfolk in the State League has thus
far proved decidedly unsatisfactory. 1t
has played twelve games here, six, at least,
Of which il should have won, but rank,
miserable fielding errors and bad pitching
lost ten out OF the twelve. the remainder
having been won by good luck. When the
season opens next Monday, out Of the
nineteen men tried so far twelve will
temporarily wear Norfolk uniforms, but
il is more than likely that several or
these will be released before May LIST.
The infield will consist Of OHagan,
Whaley, Corcoran. and Hoffman. but the
latters work at third base has been so
Indifferent and his batting so weak that
unless he picks up considerably his place
will be filed by some one else. Manager
Sommers thinks. however, that he will
prove a valuable man. Out Of the seven
pitchers tried, only one-big Ed Herr
will be kept Setley was released to-day.
and will be signed by Portsmouth, while
the others, fairly good amateurs, will go
home. McCreary, Of last seasons Norfolk
and Newport News teams. and Mcdonald,
a twirler from Cincinnati, will alternate
in the box. Carr, a new catcher; Geier,
and Tenley viii wear the mask, but the
latter is by no means in form, and viii
likely get his release in the near future.
NONE TOO FAST.
In the outfield there Will be three men
who are not any too fast, but will develop,
so that much is expected OF them. Nor
folks stick-work is. perhaps, above the
average for this time Of the year. The
men have gradually improved In this.
The principal weakness Of the locals Is
their lack OF teamwork and poor base
running. At present every man appears
to be playing an individual game. not
caring for any one but himself, while.
although several Of the men are fast on
the bases, wOful lack OF judgment Is
generally shown in running.
with the team as AT present constituted,
and comparing 1t to the other clubs IN
last seasons league. Norfolk would pos
sibly end the year In third place, and II
this surmise as 10 the strength is correct
Manager Sommers and the others who
are backing the game will sink money,
as the people will not go out to see
losing team. The enthusiasm here is at
present somewhat desdened, caused by
the wretched showing of the locals. but
Norfolk Is a baseball town. and when
its club wins, all will enthuse.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14
Saved the Life of Captain Figgat.

ANDERSON, w. VA, April IL, 1879.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
/ saw IN one of your late issues the
passing away of a life once saved
mean that Of Captain j. II. III. F1ggat,
OF Fincastle We were classmates at
Washington College, and often bathed to-
gether in North river AS number OF
us reached the river one evening i no
ticed a good-szed cord-stick OF wood,
left at high tide by the last freshet. Why
the thought occurred to rue that SUCK
might be needed l do not know, but
1t did occur. and carried It 10 the water
under fire Of jocular questions from
my companions. After much climbing,
a rock to jump into the water ana exer-
else in swimming, l crossed TO our eloth,
ing and began TO dress. Presently heard
a call for help, and one or the boys cry,
"Figgat is drowning" He had attempted
to come to the dressing-place by swim
ming against the current, and was too
much exhausted TO accomplish the under
taking. He had lost presence or minu,
and IL would have been dangerous TO go
near him without a float. l was soon
stripped, and / and my log reached him
as he came up the second time, without,
however, having shipped much water; i
can see to-day the look of relief upon his
face as he put his arm over that timber
with which | lowed him from the deep
water He was a man of true principles,
and sterling worth and ever felt proud
of the life ! had saved. Your paper gives
his age as 65, which is too much by seve-
raj years.
/ noted. also your editorial questioning
the identity of the watch purporting 10
be that OF General A. s. yohnston's.
Alongside OF that let my say that an ac-
ouaintance / made several years ago
informed me that he had Stonewall Jack
sons pipe. gotten by his father-in-law
"a Federal soldier on the night the
General was wounded. and presented to
him. / tried TO tell him that Jackson had
no tobacco habit, but he was intent on
owning Jackson's pipe, and did not
insist. ,,,
That man may have watch inscribed
A s. J., but II IL about as likely TO be
General Johnston's as my friends pipe
was 10 be that Of General Jackson.
GEORGE II. LYLE.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14
THE FARMERS ARE STRONGER.
Expect to BE Near the Top when the
Race Is Over.

PETERSBURG, VA, April 13.-(Spe-
clal.)-The general opinion among the
baseball experts OF this city is that Pc
tersburg starts with a stronger team than
il had last year at the beginning OF the
season, but that the team is not as
strong as the club with which we finish
ed with the material on hand, how
ever, il is believed that after the men
get down TO steady work In their own
class they will show good form, and
will be able TO hold their own with any
OF the clubs in the State League. PEE
tersburg, so far, has run up only against
National League teams, and the work
which the men have done is really no
criterion Of what they are capable In
their own class. They have Lad to face
the heaviest hitters in the big league,
who hit the ball when and where they
pleased except when Foreman was in
the box, when the big leaguers were an
unable 10 find the ball as the Petersburg
players were helpless TO hit the curves
and speed Of the leading pitchers In the
country. From what has been seen or
the Petersburg team in these unequal
contests enough has been gathered TO
Justify the patrons OF the sport here In
the opinion that the Farmers will be
well up toward the top when the race
for the pennant is over.
AS TO pitchers, Foreman is better than
he ever was, and has lots OF new things
TO serve the opposing batters In the
way OF curves and increased speed
James is in fine condition, and VIII be
as effective as ever. Packard. a new
man, is cool and speedy. Harris VIII be
found to be "A" No. /, while Foster has
not yet been tried. but has an excellent
reputation.
McClung and Hayden are the catchers.
The former has not his superior in the
league. He is lightning thrower, a
good hitter, and first-rate back-stop.
Hayden also shows up we'll as a batter
and holds the pitchers very well.
OTHER POSITIONS.
Champlin is a good man on first, and
l. safe hitter.
Perry is decidedly the best second
bakeman ever seen in Petersburg--a hard
hitter and fast runner.
Metz as short-stop, has not shown up
as well as could be desired. but he is
young player and very willing, and ne
has plenty Of friends who think he VIII
develop into a frst-rate player In his
position.
Captain Pender covers third. and those
In the baseball business know that he
is a safe stop and an accurate thrower.
He is hitting the bali hard this year.
Lippard, the left-helder, was great
find. lie is the fastest fielder seen In
Petersburg for a long time. He is fast
runner. a safe hitter. and can capturc
any fly In his territory.
Sanford. the 'old reliable" covers CEN
tire field In as good shape as usual.
Hayden will play In right field when
not behind the bat. alternating with Nc
Chung.
The Petersburg team is strictly In IT.
for this season. IL will be improved as
occasion may require. but even at prss-
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14
ent II Is regarded as the equal OF any
team in the State League.
THE mAGrc-crTy,s NEW TEAM.
Great Expectations from n Qunrtette
az Powerful Pitchers.

ROANOKE, VA, April 13.-(Speclal)-
With the opening OF the league season at
hand the local fans" and "rooters' are
wondering what sort OF a showing no
anoke will make this year. So FAR the
home team has played seven exhibition
games. Ave with National league clubs
and two with the Lancasters. OF the
Pennsylvania State leagle. They lost all
except one, but In four Of the contests
they gave their opponents hard night.
These practice games have developed the
fact that while Roanoke has much
stonger team than the one that repre-
scented the Magic City, last season
there are stil few weak points. and
Manager Breen already has his eye on
several new players.
II Is too early yet to speak about our
strength in the box, but Manager Breen
is confident that he has a quartette OF
strong pitchers. The men have had cold,
rainy weather to contend with during
their two weeks OF practice, and the
twirlers have not exerted themselves to
any great extent. Dunn has made the
best showing so far. but Lloyd. Stahl,
and Fisher have demonstrated that they
will be able to hold their end up with the
other Virginia pitchers. The two latter
are left-handers, and are both strong
hitters
In Purcell and Clark Roanoke has two
good catchers. II Is unfortunate that
Hines, who Is a tower Of strength behind
the bat, should be laid up with infam-
matory rheumatism. He was attacked on
the 2Sth Of last month and has been con-
fined TO his bed ever since. He Will not be
able TO play until some time in May.
OTHER PLAYERS.
The exhibition games have demonstra-
ted one fact very clearly. and that Is
that Cavanaugh Is nowhere near his last
years form. His work at third this sea-
son has been wretched. and seems 10
grow worse instead of better 1t would
not surprise the cranks to see Reed cover
ing that bag when the season opens.
Breen, Padden. and Crockett are show
ing up well. ana make a strong infield.
Reed, Gaffney, Farrell, Bradley. and
Sherer have been alternating in the out
field. They have all shown up well and
cover n great deal OF ground, but there
Is still room for improvement, especially
in right field.
There Is one point in which the team
is lamentably weak and that is base
running. In the games played so far
number OF opportunities to score were
| lost through stupidity in this respect.
The public generally is very enthusiast
| tic over the team, and confident that the
boys will give a good account of them
selves, and some even go 30 far as to say
| that when the season closes Roanoke
| will do battle for the Greene cup.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14
THE LEAGUE SEASON.
cr,t Interest Felt throughout The
state in the Opening TO-AOEr0S'
,,,L SCHEDULE OF GAMES
whore. when. aud Ito" ''''
club. Mect-we Have """'
an, and saturday ''"
.. Condition of the Teams

..oeop commences TO-
ne - -, from now Until the I'd '.'
Morrow Az, s,.S'nan will he the a''' ...
ser''m'e' "a -, conversation and o'''
soro'hs ~. ~. larger virginia cities
'a.''on =. vsst deal Of difference
Io''r a. ..,,g o. this season ana ~
,T'e' inc ,'. .-.. last year 'hcI' w." w..
I's~ ." %. interest manifested '' .as
pf"c''o''", 49,. s..e .ai the i'"SD'
spof' 10 '. Tre teams were "'' .,,,,
but ...l ara praei.c''iY '''".',
pose -t.t e.st thc.r "o'N " do ''''
P.'' ,u. ,.ye
ls 4Teraf. 'n' 80 80 ~.
...-sa-in f'c- - sa..,nd
'''. , Che game ana ''' y, - the
go tsr.ray.re. i''' $50, and they
.,f.f ite season oi i'''' "'',. -,
". 1,. peak teams ".I' W. 49,.
.,,.rs were discarded anu ~
rreI uth stronger anu
.-t.., c.r tls teams arc S''''' ~
Oh. r those that closed iasl
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14
Notes from Highland Springs.

On Tuesday evening the Odd-Fellows
gave highly interesting entertainment
on the photograph. Many OF the pieces
were we'll rendered and much appreciated
by large audience.
The Highland Springs Literary and
Musical Association met as usual We'd
nesday evening. The election OF officers
for the ensuing year resulted as follows:
Mr.. Christian, president; Mr.. Yearly
vice-president: Mr.. Matthews, Jr., sec
rotary; Mr.. F. J. Harker. treasurer; the
old Entertainment Committee being re-
elected.
Miss Dudley and Miss Burtnette have
both been Unexpectedly called home. epd
have returned North, but hope to return
here again before long, being mucn
pleased with the locality and the novelty,
10 them, OF what they both hear and see
around them.
The new bag-factory is making rapid
progress, as Is also the Odd-Feiiows'
Hall
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14
PORTsMOUTHs THE STRONGEST.
Rivalry Between the Teams of the
Cities by the Sea.

NORFOLK, VA, April 1S.-(Special)-
Portsmouth, by comparison, is stronger
than Norfolk at present. She has signed
and released more men than, perhaps. has
any other team in the State. but it APP
pears that every change made by Mana
ger Bland is for the better. There are
now about sixteen men wearing Ports
mouth uniforms, and they expect TO win
the pennant. If they do, or If they lead
Norfolk for the pennant. Manager Som
mers might as well close his park, as the
rivalry is so intense between the two
cities that the loser in the race will lose
patronage, and thereby lose money. The
season opens in Portsmouth Monday with
Norfolk, and much fun is expected.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14
RICHMOND IN GOOD CONDITION.
Her Team should lie Able 10 Play
PeDnant-Wfnning hail.

PeDnant-Wfnning Hall.
Now that the Richmond team will meet
only clubs of it's own class Il may be ex-
pected 20 put up a pretty article Of ball
playing. II has done well in its work
with National League clubs. especially
with Baltimore and Boston. and there is
every reason to believe that when IL gets
into proper company the players Will
recover from the nervousness which has
Invaded their ranks and pay pennant-
winning ball.
Richmond wants Mr.. SDaldings blue
flag this year. and Richmond must have
IT. Wells must look after his men; he
must coach them more, and he must move
about livelier himself, thus infusing more
life into the game. He has a good lot
OF ball-players Il he will only keep them
up TO the scratch. A little timely roast
ing and few lectures will do world OF
good, and when a man makes bad play,
whether by accident or through careless
ness, he should be told OF it,
MCGOWAN has probably the making OF a
frst-class ball-player but he lacks con-
hdence in himself. lie moves about lively,
and handles himself very well, but he will
have to play much better ball than he did
last week If he expects to be put back on
third. Behne, who now covers bag NO.
3. is a fairly good man. but he Is not TO
be depended on to any great extent. House
man seems TO be the right man In the
right place on second base and he has
rapidly forged his way into public favor
Kahn is doing inferior work in left field.
lie seems not to play with that dash that
characterized his work when in the in
field. Groves, in centre field, is most
valuable man, both as a fielder and a
run-getter, and as a general all-around
man is by long odds the star of that
team. Foster. is a valuable man when
he Is not sulky, but he should be allowed
to play first base regularly. Wells shows
| off 10 a much better advantage behind the
bat than he does on first, and he should
stay there, alternating with Gibson.
Freddy" is a frst-class baseman, and
would do well at first Our pitchers are
all that could be desired. They are quick,
swift. cute. and cunning and are thorough
masters of the art Of curving.
Flynn will 80 in against Petersburg to-
]
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14
ENENLY MATCHED NOW

There was considerable complaint last
year that the clubs comprising the league
wer- uneyenly matched. and therefore in
terest IN the game Jagged at times This
year this viii hardly be the case. as each
OF the Six managers are going the full
salary limit on his team. and has procured
The best timber that can be gotten for $500.
Every player in the league comes with
a record or having done good work In
other minor leagues and those who are
In a position 70 know say that the clubs
Are evenly matched, and there are no
fayor.tes.
The Richmond club. nicknamed the
Bluebirds, Is composed OF the following
men, Al Gibson. catcher: o. +. Freddy
Foster, catcher and fielder: John G. Knorr.
pitcher; Carney Flynn. pitcher; Jesse Tan
aeh.l. pitcher; William II. Dlnsmore,
plcher: Harry Berte, short-stop; Jake
wells. first base and captain; Housenan,
hcond base: James MCGOWAN, right field;
sharleS Il. BARLEY Ksin. left neld; Cnff
groves. centre held; Frank Behne, third
base
TOBACCONISTS ARE STRONG.
The TobsccOnists." as the Lyncnburg
,co has been dubbed, are said 20 be "A
very strong aggregation. W. A. Smith.
manager. viii play left field: n. y. Berry
~ ~ captain. will cover third bag. and
'-' isi1 Of the players will be placed ~
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14
Along the Lower ,Rappahannock.

IRVINGTON. va, April lS.-(speciaI ,
Mrs Sue Russell, the wife OF Captain
Isaac Russell. Jr, OF Wicomico Church,
has been stricken with paralysis. Both
her brain and speech were affected. She
is recovering somewhat.
The store OF w. J. Stokes. OF Rehoboth
Church. Lancaster county, was entered
The large barn Of 7. II. gill. Of Ava
Ion, Northumberland county. was burned
TO the ground on sunday afternoon Iast,
fodder. $50 worth OF fertilizers. much
Fencing. and other property was con-
sumed. No insurance. Origin Of fire UNI
known. "a. ct. ~,
Kenrey, both OF Lancaster county. were
married at White Stone on wednesday
evening by Rev. w. b. Robbins.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14

Orders for printing sent to the DE
match Company will be given prompt AZ.
ttertiou. and the style Of work ana prices
Sfll - sure 70 please yeH -
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14

the displays made by our florists. Never
before has nature and art combined pro-
duced effects 10 harmonious and delicious.
Oblong pyramids and banks OF Ascension
lilies. roses. and palms ten feet high are
based by frieze OF scarlet and white
gsraniums, hellotrope. mignonette, and
lily OF the valley. Huge double azaleas,
pink. white. and variegated. I'LL the win
dows; tulips gilly-nowers, amaryllis, ths
old flowers, all beautified and improved.
have come back to us; vioiets growing In
boxes and nourishers TO brighten an In
valds room; the beautiful superb rose In
blush tints. Astelbe Dutye. hyacnths.
even strawberries. blooming and bearing
In the same nourisher. Vases containing
hundreds OF gorgeou roses. carnations,
sweet-pea, orchids, and lily Of the valley.
make the most complete, varied, and ex-
quisite display that has ever been seen
in Richmond.
Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-04-14
Miss Bayvrigbt graduate Of the Boston

Miss Playwright. graduate OF the Boston
School Of Expression, was introduced to
tbs Woman's Club on Monday afternoon
by Miss Jennie Elicit and charmed her
audience by Rotations from The ldyls
OF the King" "Guinevere." and other
selections from Tennyson. Miss Bay
wright is a gifted elocutionist. and made
a delightful impression and gave great
pleasure. The literary part OF the enter
tainment was followed by dainty COLA
ton and social converse, which usually
closes each evenings pleasure at the
Woman's Club. The rumor that the club
has taken Mr.. c. ID. Langhorne's resi-
dence for next winter is without founda-
ton. The club has several plans under
consideration, which Will not be an
nounced before the lst of July.
Evening star., 1895-11-08
MRS. GEPPERT's DELUsIoN.
She Wants Congress and the Prest-
dent to Pay n Claim.

She Wants Congress and the Prest-
dent to Pay n Claim.
An old woman, evidently crank, reached
Washington Tuesday evening AMI asked the
policeman on duty at the 9Th street depot
to direct her to Congress, as she wished to
have a claim for damages paid. She was
taken to the first precinct station and
placed in charge of the .natron. Mrs Lewis,
who learned from the unfortunate woman
that her name is Maria Geppert, sixty-eight
years of age According to her story, she
came here from Rockford, ILL.,, to secure
damages for the destruction of her prop
erty. She owns a farm in Wisconsin, she
says, but people have burned all the build
ings on it, have shot her cattle and finally
attempted to shoot her whenever she
showed herself outdoors. She went to Mill
waukee to secure lawyers to present her
claims but they would not undertake the
case, and then she wandered to Rockford,
where she met with the same treatment.
AS result she decided to come here and
secure redress from Congress in person.
Mrs. Geppert had with her several deeds,
receipts and s. in money. She says she
had son in California and also a daugh-
ter To the latter she intended turning over
her property, but decided that she could
not do so for the reason that the daughter
was forty-four years Of age. Mrs Gep-
pert declares that she cannot return home
until the damages are paid for the reason
that she has nothing to live on except po-
tatoes and salt. and those articles, she
maintains, do not agree with her. The
police surgeons examined the demented wo-
man yesterday afternoon and she Is to be
committed to St. Elizabeth's Asylum to-
day for treatment, as she positively refuses
to leave the city. Sanitary Officer Frank
will make effort to communicate with
relatives and friends of Mrs. Geppert and
notify them of her present whereabouts
and condition.
Evening star., 1895-11-08
ADJUSTMENTS,

Lafayette Square Opera House.-A spe-
cial matinee will be given tomorrow after
noon at the Lafayette Square Opera House
1t being the last appearance but one of
Thos. Q. Seabrooke in "a World of
Trouble" Mr.. Seabrooke begins an engage
ment in st. Louis on Sunday, and in order
to reach there he is compelled to leave here
Saturday morning, therefore the engage
ment ends with the two performances to-
morrow.
Aliens Grand Opera House.-Miss Marie
Wainwright will tonight be seen at Aliens
Grand Opera House in The Unequal
Match This will be the only performance
of this comedy, and there will undoubtedly
be large audience to witness one of this
actress most effective impersonations.
Shore Acres. Mr.. James A. Herne, the
author of Shore Acres" has had a hard
struggle to gain recognition for his art
Among the plays, he has written are
Drifting Apart and Margaret Fleming -
They were all good plays, but with one ex-
ed to care very little for them. The great
success achieved by Shore Acres has
changed all this, the author having more
orders for plays than he will be able to
write within the next ten years. A fine
production of Mr.. Herne's work, which
won such notable triumph here last sea-
son, is announced for next week at the
Grand Opera House. The author will again
appear as Uncle Nathaniel, and his sup
porting company will be the same as was
seen here year ago.
Palmer Cox's "Brownies"-T interest
among the children in the coming presenta-
ton of Palmer Cox's Brownies" is so
great that it is decided to give Mr.. Cox an
open air reception on the White House
grounds next Monday afternoon, when all
the children will have an opportunity of
personally meeting the man who has fur
nished them so much pleasure.
Corcoran Cadets Fair.-The competitive
squad drill at the Corcoran Cadet Corps
military fete did not open last evening, as
announced, because of circumstances which
could not be prevented. The competition,
however, will positively occur this evening,
tional Rifles are to drill The contest is for
a costly silver cup, and will commence at
S:15 pm. when the Rifles are to face the
judges. The Mortons will appear fifteen
minutes later. The decision will be re-
served until tomorrow evening. The guests
last evening Were the c. G. Conn Drum
Corps the Knights of Pythias, Troop A and
Light Battery A of the d. c. N. G. The
exhibition of difficult and fancy club swing
ing Tuesday evening by Miss Hearst proved
one of the features of the fair and was re-
warded with continued applause by the
large number of spectators present. The
Knights OF ST. John and the members of the
several local lodges of the Royal Arcanum
dividual drill for a gold medal open to two
members from each company of the Dis
trict National Guard, is to occur tomorrow
evening.