Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-02-14
NEWPORT NEWS.
Steamship Libelled-Chesapeake ana
Ohio Coal Contracts.


NEWPORT NEWS, VA, February b.
Especial. 1.-The British steamer Haxby,
which is undergoing repairs at the ship
yard here, has been libelled by the Mer-
rift Wrecking Company for $4,000. The
steamer was pulled off the Virginia
beach by the Merritt company when she
went ashore recently. The papers were
served by Deputy United States Marshal
Cross, Of Norfolk.
1t was stated recently that the Chesa-
peake and Ohio railway had secured
number of large coal contracts in New
England, but no definite information re-
gardng the extent OF the deal had been
received. According to a report recently
received, the contracts aggregate about
]. 10000 tons, 100000 tons Of which Is
to be New-river coal. Among the princi-
pal contracts the company is reported 10
have made are the following: New York,
New Haven and Hartford railroad, $4,000
tons; West-End Street railroad. 100000
tons; Boston and Maine railroad, 35O,OO
tons; Amoskeag Mills. 5000 tons; Merri-
mack Mills. 5000 tons. The balance Is
principally to manufacturing corporations.
The contracts were obtained in the face
Of competition with a number of large
by shipment from this port, and will give
impetus to mining operations in the New
River District. Within year the Chesa-
peake and Ohio has entered the West
and Northwest, making contracts for a
large tonnage TO be sent into that terri
tory. This large increase in the coal
business will about double the force OF
men now employed on the coal piers here
and It will necessitate the running Of a
number Of coal trains, thus giving en-
ployment TO more trainmen.
HE WAS DRINKING.
Liquor might have caused Wallace
Erickson, the steward Of the British
steamer Glenvoch, serious trouble had
he not borne a previously good reputation.
Early yesterday morning, while under the
influence of liquor, the man entered the
residence of Mr. O. c. Derring, on Twen-
ty-sixth street; walked upstairs, removed
his shoes. and went into Mr.. Derring' 3
private bed-chamber. Mrs. Derring was
disturbed by the noise. and gave the
alarm. Her husband was soon aroused.
and found the man crouched at the foot
of his bed. A policeman was called and
arrested the man. In the Police Court
he denied that he entered the house with
evil intentions, but went in. thinking II
was the pace WutIt lie was W meet Il
friend. Erickson was fined so for tres
passing, and was not held for burglary.
He joined his ship at Norfolk to-day.
The schooner John NJ. Browne put into
this port yesterday evening on account Of
the illness of the captain, who was in
need of medical attention.
NOVEL ENTERPRISE.
Joshua Phillips. an eccentric colored
farmer, who resides near Phoebus, has
embarked in a novel business enterprise.
He says that he has discovered that pine
cones make much better tea than the
genuine Chinese article, and has. there
fore. determined TO begin the cultiva-
ton of the trees. The pine cone beveridge,
he declares. is not only palatable. but
possesses numerous medicinal virtues. lie
has been drinking It for five years.
! Mr.. W. IL. Bridgeforth has filed a bill
/ in chancery in the Circuit Court Of Eliza
I beth City county, through his attorneys.
/ against Mrs. Alice Bridgeforth, TO set
! aside the decree OF divorce entered IN
/ July, 1896. This suit is based on the
/ sworn statement OF James II. CANNED 10
/ the effect that his testimony given in a
/ former case of Alice Brdgeforth against
! w. II. Bridgeforth was false.