The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-17
Graphic Scenes Around The Newspaper Of
fICes and Bulletin Boards.
MANY LADIES WERE IN THE THRONG
a Profound OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Peo-
pie Had Friends on Bonrd tho
Doomed Battlcship-sonle orThoso
Who wcro from This section or
Had Friends Here.

The terrible calamity in Havana har-
Dor Tuesday night was almost the sole
topic OF conversation on the streets yes
tcrday and In the homes. The bulletin
board,; were surrounded by eager
crowds and the newspaper offices be-
siegcd. No event in years has caused
such profound sensation. AS addi-
tional details, came in the crowds grew
quieter and Il silence fell over them UNI
usual and impressive. a realization of
the tragedy broke upon them by de-
grces.
Many of those who watched the bull
letinS had friends. some of them rela-
tivcs on the doomed battle ship. AS a
rule, bulletin boards are not patronized
by ladies. but yesterday 4 different
condition of affairs prevailed. In every
thronG there were ladies. ali OF them
scanning the details with even more
cagerness than the men. Nor was 1t
idle curiosity, for it is probable that
most of them had friends among the
crew and officers OF the Maine.
The good temper of the American
public was splendidly illustrated. if
Norfolk is to be taken as Il sample. The
general inclination was to withhold
opinion until all the facts were OBJ
tanned. Very few expressions inimical
to Spain.
At the same time there is n grow
ing impression that the blowing up of
the battleship was the result of dia-
b"lical plan, and 1T is considered not
only curious that the explosion should
be the result OF an accident happening
as it did nit this particular time and
place, but experts say that 1T was i'm
possible that III could have been acct
dental. They say that the explosion was
forward, while the magazine was amid
ships. Not only this, but in n ship like
the Maine, it is impossible, they say,
for such an accident TO occur.
Friends of officers and members of
the crew OF the vessel called at the
Virginian Office during the day, or call
Cd up over the phone, asking for infor-
nation.
Owing to the flifHculty &f getting
the truth out Of Havana, this informa-
ton was meagre.
The Virginian, In common with the
rest Of the Norfolk press, Is indebted
10 the Long Distance Telephone COM
pany for bulletins. and tho list of
names. which 1t prints In another col
unn The enterprise OF this company
was appreciated by the public, as was
SHOWN by numerous complimentary
expressions.
G. w. Parker, machinist, and Charles
men of the Names crew, are first co,Is;.
ms OF MIR. l.. i. Roberts, a Norfolls
man. Nh,
~ number Of officers on the Ill
fated ship were well known and so
cially popular In this city Among
these were Surgeon L. G. Hennenberger
who was formerly stationed here CMIr.
fcnnenbergcr was cousin OF Lieut..
De witt Coffman, n connection of the
Bilisoly family; ut-Commander
Richard Wainwright. Lieutenant Fg.
W. Holloman, and Paymaster Little
field.
Naval Cadet Pope Washnston was
from Wilmington. n. c.; Naval Cadet
W. Il. Cluverious was native of New
Orleans, and brother OF Mrs. John
i. Eastwood, of this city: Lieutenant
i5iow was native of Norfolk
Captain w. II. French OF French &.
E'o'" w1ecl2citi. b,calVed h. telegram
from Washington last night ins,ruc:ing
him to go to Havana, presumably for
the purpose OF assisting in the work of
raising the Maine. He is still here
awaiting further orders.