Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-07
AT NEWPORT NEWS.
ANOTHER SUPPOSED VICTIM OF
THE LAUNCHING DISASTER.
Delegates TO the state Fircmcn's
Conyention-StccI Plates for the
EattIcships-The school census
& Fire on n Sioop.

NEWPORT NEWS, June 6.-(special)--
A gentleman. by the name OF Woodhn,
who lives about two miles from Morri-
sons, in the county. came TO the city
this afternoon. and reported the finding
OF the body Of a white boy. which had
washed ashore this morning, on the
James. near Watts creek. lie said that
the boy was apparently l6 years OF age.
and was dressed in a dark suit OF clothes,
with Knee pants. The face was dccom-
posed beyond recognition, and the APP
pcarance OF the body seemed TO indicate
that IL had been In the water for somo
time. probably a week. Mr. Woodiin did
not so through the pockets IN the boys
Clothes. but came Immediately 10 the
city. and reported the matter 10 Justice
Henry c. Jones' who Is acting Coroner
In the absence Of Dr. 4. {. Jones. jus
lice Jones left for Watts creek this ar
Iernoon 10 view the corpse ana summons
a jury TO determine the cause OF the
fatality, II possible. u had been the
general opinion, until the finding Of this
last body to-day was reported, that there
were only two victims OF the launching
disaster OF last Saturday--a cOlored man
by the name OF Edward Taylor. and Il
colored boy by the name Of Charley Smith.
Mr. WOodhn's information, however, has
led a number TO express the belief this
afternoon that one OF the white boys who
were on the Sommers y. Smith when it
was launched may have been drowned
in the accident which followed, although
the ship-yard officials have not received
inquiries from relatives or friends con-
corning a white boy. Ii is possible that
Z Ia g.. ~
who lost his life on that occasion, and
that the skin has peeled from the ex-
posed portions OF the body, making il
appear as IL he was white, which is
sometimes the case with the body Of
coorod person that has been in the water
any length Of time.
THE FIREAiEN'S CONVENTION.
Liberty Fire Company. No. /. has
elected Joseph Mansfield. George Lordley,
and Fred. Ludlow delegates to the an
nual convention OF the State Firemens
Association. which meets IN Hampton
July 7th. Sth. and 9Th.
-Four cars loaded with boiler plates for
the batteships Kentucky and Kearsarge
arrived at the ship-yard yesterday after
noon from the Carnegie steel Company, in
plttsburg. The kecl-p ates, which are be-
ing picked at the yard. will be worked in
Il few days. and IT is expected that some
of them will be laid on the blocks next
week.
Polk Miller entertained n small but
appreciative audience at the Opora-House
last night with his famous dialect recital
The public schools Of the city closed
yesterday for the term Of 1886.
The pulpit at the First Baptist church
(whitel win be occupied tomorrow morn
ing by Rev. II. X. Basmajian. a native
Armenian. Rev. Mr.. Basmajan has been
in this country nine years and is n
graduate OF the Croft Theological Semi
nary, near Philadelphia. He is a regl-
larry ordained Baptist minister and con-
templates returning 20 Armenia at
distant date 10 do missionary work among
his countrymen. He will speak tomorrow
morning on 1.-THE Oriental Churches;
Their Past. Present. and Future"
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Brock and Misses
Kate Burruss and Iona Crutchneld, who
have been spending several days with
Mrs. II. NJ Catlin. have returned TO their
homes, In Richmond.
Mr. Charles Mosby returned to-day TO
his home. I'm Bedford City, accompanied
by his brother Alfred.
THE SCHOOL CENSUS.
The Board OF School Trustees has re-
coived from Superintondont-of-Pu bllc-In-
struction Massey the necessary blanks for
the taking OF a new school census. and
work VIII be commenced within few
days. The State now allows the city 5000
per annum for teachers salaries. and IL
IS expected that the new census will
show an increase of 20 per cent in the
school population of Newport News. If
such proves 10 be the case. the teachers
allowance will be increased about 5000
Miss Mary Roberts, who has been visit
ing relatives I'm the city, returned TO her
home. in Northampton county. this morn
Ing.
Mrs. Octavia Chandler. Of Richmond, is
the guest of her sons. In tho city.
Miss Fannie Foster. Of Norfolk, is the
guest Of Miss Kate Hudgins
Mrs w. T. Sherman, OF New Kent
county. Is the guest of relatives IN the
city.
Mr.. II. =. Bailey and son, Mr.. VIII
lard Bailey. left this morning on a fish
ing trip 20 Cobb's Island.
Mr.. and Mrs. Jacob. Of Petersburg. have
arrived In the city. and win spend the
summer with their son, Mr.. Elias Poyser
The entire city was awakened at an
early hour this morning by the lusty ring
Ing Of the fire-alarm bell by one OF the
crew OF a sloop which had arrived from
Portsmouth with fire raging below deck
The sloop was loaded with laths and
plaster. and was I'm serious condition,
when the tug Wandcrer took it in tow
and run II ashore opposite 1Ncnty-eighth
street. The fire was eXtinguishc1 late
this morning before much damage was
worked. and the crew has been busy all
day removing the cargo. The boat will
be all right again after a few minor re-
pairs are made.