The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-06-06
Exploding Lamp Destroys the Postofflce
and a Store at Magnolia.
NARROW ESCAPE OF THE PROPRIETOR
DR.. Staley Hns No Intention of re.
signin. the Presidency of Elon
College-Hearing Of burglary case
Postponed Suffolk Bail Tossers
Defeated by Magnolia.

~ no pOStOff1ce at MAGNOLIA 1t was
burned this morning. From blaze
having its origin in an exploded lamp
the postoffice building, which was used
as store as we'll, took fire at $3.50
o'clock this morning, and was totally
consumed, together with all the mails
and the entire stock Of goods. Tho
stamps and cash We're enclosed IN an
iron safe, which was dragged from the
smoking cinders with chains, and open
ed when it was cool enough. The stamps
were not burned, but had been melted
together. The cash will do to spend
Inc loss Is $1,000 TO $1,000. and the in
surance $1,125 with Harper & West.
PROPRIETOR'S CLOSE CALL.
". 7. Duke, the only person sleeping
IN the building, came near being burned.
Nhen awakened by the explosion he
rushed toward the exit, but the flames
had made such Roadway he had to pass
through them or jump out Of a window
He lowered his head and went through
the seething mass. Mrs. Duke, who Is
the postmistress, was sleeping in her
residence, nearby. The bucket brigade
mad to work hard to save the buildings
adjoining the postoffice.
TO BRIGHTEN BURGLARS.
The lamp had been left in the unoccu-
pled room to keep away burglars, who
nave recently made several raids In that
village. The noise OF the explosion was
heard two or three blocks away The
mails are now carried to Mr.. Dukes
residence.
HAS NO IDEA OF TT
a few days ago statement appeared
IN q North Carolina paper substantially
announcing DR.. W. ". Staley's deter
nlnatlon to resign the presidency Of
Elon College. To satisfy the Doctors
friends in North Carolina as we'll as Vir
Einia about the verify OF the rumor,
esked MIN about ii tonight. He said:
THE DOCTORS STATEMENT.
Il have made no such announcement
though the press or otherwise, and the
rumor III question has no Foundation in
fact. A friend sent me a clipping from
the paper. tnuuiring whether would re.
sign, and ! answered that | would not
be insane enough to announce my resig-
nation to the public before the college
trustees We're Informed. At present I
nave no idea of resigninE."
THEY WOULDN'T LET HIM
The truth Of the matter is DR.. Stalcy
would not think Of nf1cting the embar-
rassment OH the trustees Of Elon Col
1ege which his resignation would entail
Most likely they would no more enter
tain the idea OF having. him resign than
would his devoted congregation at the
Suffolk Christian church
BURGLARS HEARING POSTPONED.
Owing to the incompleteness Of the
tevldence and the desire to secure moro
or the stolen goods the preliminary
hearing Of the two men accused of bur
Slarlzlng NJ Jones & Sons clothing
store, has been postponed till next
week. The police are very retjcent
about the identity Of the men whose
names learned this afternoon are Joe
smith, alias Archie Wright, and Willie
fix: They claim to have bought the
goods, which are not denied to Ioa tboeo
originally stolen from Jones stoe
1iX was this afternoon removed from,
the station house, where he had been
since arrest. to the county jail but will
not De allowed to communicate with his
alleged confederate.
A WOMAN IN TT.
Tonight woman called Rosa. Walker
was arrested. No specific charrn ha.
oeen preferred against her, but She IL
held because it is believed she knows
sonthlng that will help the police in
Ierreting out the matter.
THEY MAY MEET LATER.
Col L. P. Harper left to-day for New
port News In response to Il telegram
death Of her father, Col. IT. DeB. CLAW
Harper wept at the news Of Col. Claws
death They We're both from Ohio, init
mate personal friends and close politi-
cal associates. e.
Col Clay was strong supporter Of
Col. Harper for the Suffolk postoffice
and Col. Harper was equally as sym
pathetic an advocate Of Col. Clay's an
pontment to be Collector Of Port; in
Newport News.
SUFFOLK LOST.
There was a baseball game at West
End Part this afternoon between the
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