The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-22
NEW BUILDING AT
SOLDIERS HOME.
The Capacity of the Barracks In
creased by Five Hundred.
ARTILLERY FORCE AT MONROE.
First Load of Il Large Contract of
Stone To Improve the EOrt-Ncw
Newspaper Organization in
Newport News
ARTILLERY FORCE AT MONROE.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA. December q.
SpecaL-For two months past large
force Of mechanics has been at work on
the construction OF two additional build
ings for disabled veterans at the Ma
tionai Soldiers Home. The work was
let TO Lynchburg contractor, who
brought most of his men with him. This
large construction force is camped on the
grounds in improviseI quarters known
as The Shack. and eating at a general
mess. IL had been hoped that the work
would be completed by Christmas, bur IL
Will not be done until late in January.
Tho two new barrack buildings are
massive. substantially constructed two
story frame houses. similar I'm general
design 10 those previously erected. Ac-
cording 20 The plan or lettering. they
Will be known as buildings q and = and
will make sixteen blrrack buildings. As
in the case of the others. they will ac-
c0mmodate 80 men each. thus increasing
tho capacity Of the Home by half thou
sand.
THE ARTILLERY.
There are now on the rolls Of the United
States artillery post at Fort Monroe
total Of l.3iG men. rank and file ,he bat
terry complement having been increased
10 two hundred for each of the seven
batteries.
Some twenty-five men deserted from
the post after the last pay day, but this
is not unusual Of late i'm view ~ the
number OF rccriits that have recently
been received. Very few of the good
men go.
Even stern military discipline IS relax
81 i'm obedience TO the universal spirit
which makes Christmas the great holt
day. All duty save the absolutely essen
tial police and guard work will be sus-
pended about Friday or Saturday and
not resumed until January ?. 1850 Per-
haps as many as one hundred and fifty
furloughs VIII be granted TO enlisted
men who wish 20 go home These will
BE- OF ten and twenty days limit.
The old fort fire engine. General Stew
art Van Nlct." has been shipped 10 Nor
folk for repairs and overhauling.
TO IMPROVE THE FORT
The barge John r. King, in tow of
the tug Ahser J. Hudson. with one
thousand tons Of crushed stone. has ar
rived at Old Point. This is the first con-
signment OF a large contract which the
Government has with the r. II. hood
Company to be delivered from their
quarries just below Poughkeepsie. The
stone is II be used I'm extending the forth
ments will be on a large scale. and
large number Of like cargoes will be
brought here during the winter
DR.. Wise has not yet served notice
Of contest on Rcpresentative-elect
young. OF this district. but the latter eX-
poets 20 receive it some time within the
next two or three weeks. Mr. Young says
that he IS not at all uneasy as 10 the
result. and, I'm fact seems TO be rather
sorry that the Doctor will not be able
70 get the document 10 him in time for
Christmas gift as he did in the case Of
r'se former contest.
NEWSPAPER COMBINE.
The Daily Commercial. until recently
owned by Mr.. John A. Robinson. has
a hanged hands Mr.. Robinson selling out
TO newly-Organized company. with
which Mr.. J. y. Locke is identified in
the capacity OF manager.
Tho best sale OF real estate that has
been recorded on Washington avenue was
that which has just been effected by
Messrs. Marye and Boyenton, for Mr..
Edwin Phillis. OF the lot and three-story
brick house ct the corner of Twenty
sixth street. which was bought by Mr..
J. =. Kimberly, Of Old Point, for Sli5oO
net cash.
Thi- sale is considered one Of the
most striking evidences Of the remarka-
BILE increase in the value Of Newport
News real estate that has yet been fur
nishod. II has been predicted that the
bottom IS going 70 drop out some time.
but it IS not believed that prices will ever
be much lower than they are now. At
tho same time Il is considered that the
limit has certainly been reached. Prices
will undoubtedly go higher still, but It is
conceded that any further adj
vance is likely 10 be artificial.