Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-08
AT NEWPORT NEWS.
Investigation Demanded--To tnsti-
tute suit for $50, 900 Against Japan
ese Governmenf--Big Addition 10
ship-Yard Property.

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, January r.
tspeclal)-A petition IL being circulated
IN this city for signatures. which VIII be
submitted at the next regular session Oh
the Common Council, asking that Dooy
20 investigate the action OF the Board OF
Police Commissioners In dischargihs
Patrolman u. T. Jones. Already mum
Der of signatures, including those Oh
prominent citizens-Democrats and ke-
publicans-have been affixed TO the petit
ton. officer Jones, II is claimed, was
dismissed by the board for insubordina-
ton. Acting upon the advice of counsel
Mr.. Jones has not surrendered his badge
or any OF his equipment. He has not re-
ceived his last months salary, and 1t Is
probable that a suit will be brought
against the city by him in the Circuit
Court This case has attracted consider
able attention. Three secret organiza-
lions have adopted resolutions con-
deming the Board Of Police Commission
ers and the Chief Of Police. One minister
made the officers dismissal the text Tor
discourse and he eNcOrated the officials
( responsible for the policemans removal
charging that the Chief Of Police was the
man who ought to be brought before the
board for trial.
Attorney Francis +. Causey, of Hamp-
ton. has been retained by the mother Oh
J Frank Epes, seaman on the United
| States steamship Olympia, who was muir
/ dered and robbed in the harbor OF Ma
gasaki. on the night of December 14th, TO
prosecute a claim for indemnity against
| the japanese Government for SJOOVO. Epes
/ was 10 years old. and the main support OF
| his aged mother, who lives at Phoebus'
near here. The young man shipped with
| the Olympia about four years ago. On the
! night of the murder he Obtained permis-
sion to go ashore at Nagasaki. After
| nightfall he set out In japanese sam
pan. a swift boat, to return TO his ship.
Epes had just been paid off and had con-
siderable money on his person. The sam
pan was manned by several men. Shortly
| after pushing out from the dock, Epes
was attacked by the Japanese boatmen
lie fought desperately TO keep his as
sailants off and yelled for help. His
cries attracted the attention OF the sea
men on British man of war and boa
was lowered and sent TO his assistance
Seeing the boat coming, the Japs put
about and pulled toward the shore, an'
owing 10 the superior speed Of the sam
pan. they were enabled to elude theil
pursuers. Three days later the body OF
Epes washed ashore. The head was nor
ribly crushed, and there we're other evi
dences that he had been murderously as
saulted. He had also been robbed
The deal pending between Coils +
Huntington, the principal owner OF TIT
ship-yard here, and the Old Dominion
Land Company, for the purchase o
thirteen acres of land fronting on Jane
river adjacent to the site Of the ship
yard. was closed to-day. A deed convey
ing the land to Mr. Huntington was re
corded in the Clerks Office this after
noon, the purchase price being %O'OoO
At last Mr. Hutingtons great desire L
have his ship-yard to extend along tn
river front for the distance of mile IA
been gratifed. The land purchased to
day. which will be added to the site, give
the plant a frontage Of one mile, maxim
it the largest shipbuilding plant In tn
, world. Mr. Huntington has some deep
laid plan in mind, or he would not haV
purchased this large tract Of land. IL
believed by those who are in positio
TO conjecture that he will operate an
other plant in conjunction with the shiI
) ward nrobabiv an ordnance factory.