Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-08
A DASTARDLY ACT.
FIRE SET TO A HOUSE N NEWPORT
NEWS.
4 Fortunate Discovery-The Recent
Cock-Fighf-Wan satisfaction
DOckeG-NOtcs.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA, April 7.-(Spe-
cial.)-A dastardly attempt was made
about 22O o'clock this morning By a fire
fend to destroy the residence Of Mrs.
Thomas Edwards, on Twenty-seventh
street, but fortunately the alarm was
given in time to save this dwelling as
well as a dozen or more others on the
same block. Mrs. Edwards was disturbed
about 2 o'clock by a noise which sounded
as if some one was trying to pull boards
from under the house, and a few minutes
later she heard the roaring and cracking
OF the flames. Jumping out Of bed. she
aroused the household, ran to the front
door, and yelled frantically, arousing the
neighborhood. \ policeman heard her
and FASTENED to turn in an alarm, sum
moning the Fire Department. The flames
were extinguished before any great dam
age was done There is every indication
that the fire was OF incendiary origin, but
there is no clue TO the fend who applied
the torch. Mrs. Edwards says when she
opened the front door she saw a white
man. whose queer actions led her to sus-
pect him Of being the guilty person.
THE COCK-FIGHT.
After probing into the cock flights which
were pulled off over the Penn House
Monday night, Police-Sergeant j. w.
Reynolds late last night swore out and
executed warrants for the arrest OF three
persons who were supposed TO have been
the promoters of the main. They were
Tyler Hull, Of Hampton; Ed McGilley'
and Alex. i. Reese. proprietor of the
house. 1t was expected that when the
cases came up for trial in the Police
Court this morning there would be ,ome
sensational developments, as it was ru-
mored that there were some promin ent
citizens among the spectators ut The
main, but Messrs. Hull and McGilley APP
peared by counsel and pleaded guilty. \
fine Of s. and costs were imposed on each.
The evidence did not sustain the charge
against Reese, and the warrant was dis
missed.
SATISFACTION ASKED.
The Newport News sports are not salts
fed with the result of Monday nights
main, and late yesterday afternoon
challenge was forwarded TO Hampton for
another battle. The challenge asks for
another main of fifteen fights. and sug-
gests that it be pulled off" outside Of
the city limits.
The transatlantic steamer Paris. Of the
American Line, arrived at the ship-yard
this morning, having come for her annual
overhauling. This Is the only private
dock in this country that is large enough
TO afford berthing facilities TO the Paris.
The Cambrian King. which IS here for
repairs is being surveyed. This vessel was
bound from New York TO Shanghai, laden
with case-oil, and when about 400 miles
at sea was caught in a hurricane, which
drove her on her beam ends. sweeping her
decks. and straining the ship.
The steamer Earnwell. Of the Earn
Line. which was towed into this port last
week, has been decided "a constructive
total loss" This means that the insu-
rance companies will pay the full amount
of the policies held by her owners. and
that the ship viii be sold for the benefit or
those concerned. The proceeds Of the sale
will mostly go to the Merritt Wreckins
COMPANY. The Earnwell was blown
ashore last December during a norther
I'm the bav of Nombre di Dios United
States of Colombia The Merritt Wreck
ing Company floated the vessel and towed
her to this port. She is a steel vessel or
1923 tons net register.
At the regular semi-monthly meeting or
the Common Council held last night,
public improvement commission was APP
pointed. with Mayor Post as ex-of1cio
member. The comUisson is made up as
follows. First Ward. George Il. West;
Second Ward. ]. NJ Griffin Third Ward,
L. Navre; Fourth Ward. y. $. Jones;
fifth Ward. l.. i. Stearnes: Sixth Ward.
RT,ee Davis: Seventh Ward, James Ma
lOney.