Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1896-04-24
VIRGINIA STATE ITEMS.


residence of Mr.. r. F. Deadman, on Lom-
bard rect, Petersburg, took fire from some
unknown cause and was entirely consumed.
Mrs. Deadman and her little boy, who were
asleep in their residence were awakened by
the house being filed with smoke and both
came near being suffocated. The flames
we're communicated to the large frame resi-
dence owned and occupied by Captain P. G.
Hay, which was damaged by fire and water.
Captain Hay and family, consisting Of eigh-
teen persons, who we're asleep when the fire
occurred. narrowly escaped. None OF the
family saved anything but the clothes they
wore. Captain Hays lost is partially COW
cred by insurance.
The great public meeting In the interest OF
q national battlefield park, was held in the
opera house at Fredericksburg. The build
ing was crowded with representative gath
ering of that city and from the surrounding
county. in which there were many ladies.
The meeting was called to order by Mayor
A. P. Rowe, who invoked divine blessings.
Mayer Rowe tfun delivered patriotic adj
dress. after which set Of resolutions calling
on the government to establish park on
the battlefield at fredericksburg, Spottsyl-
yan'a. the Wilderness and Charlottesville,
asking the co-operat on of the Grand Army
of the Republic and of the United Camps OF
the Confederate Veterans to aid, were offer
ed by Judge James B. Sener, who was the
Associated Press correspondent OF the Army
of Northern Virginia during the war, and
they were unanimously adopted: Other
speakers who delivered patriotic sentiments
we're: Congressman jenkins, OF Wisconsin;
General James A. Walker, of Virginia. Con
gresham w. A. Jones, Of Virginia and
others. Letters of regret were read from
Senators John W. Daniel, J. r. Idawley,
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, Governor O'Ferrall,
Gen. N. M. Curtis, General Sickles, General
Butterfield and many others. Many promi-
nent citizens occupied seats on the stage.
Coverings Band fur oished music and the
occasion was great success.
The Floating Steel Dock and Marine Re-
pair Plant Company will shortly be organ
lied In Norfolk with capital Of $500, 900.
The purpose is to erect floating steel dock
for the reception Of ships and for the repair
of any vessel disabled entering Norfolk har-
bor The dock will accommodate ship 40c
feet long and 81 feet wide, which can be
raised out of the water and locked in 80
minutes. The company will purchase vast
waterfront property and be a formidable ri.
val Of Newport News
Judge Hanckel, at Norfolk, S. anted char
ter to the Cumberland Coal and Steel Com
pany, Of Virginia, which Is empowered to do
a general coal and steel mining and manu-
featuring business, with its principal office in
Norfolk. The new company is to have
capital Of not less 81, 100000, nor more than
$50 900, 900, and shall hold not more than
5000 acres of land. The objects OF this com
pany are many and various, but the coal,
iron and steel mining and manufacturing
will be the principal one, and the others in
cijentaI. The officers are: President,
Charles F. Phillips, of Brooklyn; yice-prest
dent. F. E. Hinckley, of Staten Island; secre.
tary, George T. Stears, OF New York City,
and treasurer, Daniel r. Hendricks, Of
Brooklyn The above, with L. T. Kitchener,
of Washington, D. c.; Osmand J. Phillips, Of
Brooklyn and Theodore S. Garrett, OF Nor
folk, constitute the board OF directors.
AS the battleship Indiana was making hel
way to Newport New s, she discovered some
distance off Point Breeze three boys, named
Grubbs, Powell and Taylor, in a water-logged
rowboat. Assistance was at once rendered
Two of the boys were unconscious, and il
was some time beforet they were able to speak
They were attended by the ships surgeon
and were sent to their homes in Portsmouth
Ehey had very narrow escape, their boat
having been swamped. They drifted several
hours at the mercy of the waves, and but fol
the timely arrival OF Uncle Sans big war
ship, they would soon have filed watery
graves.
William Wassom, wealthy and influential
farmer living few miles from Bristol, com.
mitteI suicide 10y blowing out his brains
lie was to have been tried in Sullivan coun
'ty, Tenn, on serious charge, and this is
supposed to be the cause OF his rash deed
Some time ago Baptist church near Bristo
was burned to the ground and he wa
charged with the crime, owing to difficulties
he had recently in the congregation. On his
refusal to make proper Acknowledgements for
some violation OF church laws he was turned
out.
In view OF possible events In the Soudan,
1t is said that orders have been issued to in
crease the supplies and armameSts of the
Erench military noafa in gonlth Alnaria