Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-04-10
OFF FOR OLD POINT.
THE MASSACHUSETTS sUDDENLE
LEAVES NEWPORT NEWS.
THE FLYING SQUADRON is READY.
Reason to believe the War Vessels
May weigh Anchor at Any Mo>
p,ept-Mnrk Hanna Didn't Nateri-
aIize-Profcssor Epes Endorsed.

NEWPORT NEWS. VA. April s.-(Spc-
cial)-The battleship Massachusetts,.
which hes been anchored on this caty fof
the past three weeks, weighed anchor az
l045 o'clock this morning ana ran down
to Old Point under a full head OF steam.
The big vessel left hurrediy and unex>
pectedly under orders from Commodore
Schley.
At 1890 o'clock this morning there wera
six shrilI blasts of a steam whistle from
the Massachusetts, and both of the ships
launches, which were ashore at the time.
quickly got under way and made for tbs
big fighter. Usually, when varsity
sails, she lifts the launches on the davits,
but to-day the little dispatch-boats wsrS
ran. alongside and fastened with ropes
from the yards extending over the sides
of the ship In this manner the Massa-
chusetts sailed out OF the James river into
Hampton Roads and down to Fort None
roe.
A HASTY FAREWELL.
The wives OF the officers. who are stop
ping at the warwick Hotel, knew nothing
Ok llt ilttuA'A ~fRdA bei0 "a SH~ ~-'Ff
when they saw the formidable mass OF
lead -colored steel moving rapidly down
the river they ran down 20 the boulevard
waving their handkerchiefs. The officers
stood on the deck and waved in roturns
but the Massachusetts sped on only tha
faster. The only farewell she gave the
sorrowful wives on shore was dip on her
c1lors. which was tho only thing that
| could be done, and which was probably .
precedent In naval etiquette
on arriving at Old Point the battleship
| anchored with the rest Of the ships. COM
| prisng the flying squadron.
| There is now every reason TO believe
| that Commodore Schley is under sailing
| orders, which may be supplemented all
| most any hour by instructions 70 weigh
| anchor and proceed 10 his sealed destina-
| ton. Every ship in the Hampton Roads
SQUADRON is in fine condition and ready
| TO sail at a moments notice. The ofhcers
| and men expect to leave Hampton Roads
! any time in the next twenty-four hours
| MARK HANNA DIDN'T COME.
| Senator Mark Hanna and his party of
| friends, including the Belgian Minister at
| Washington. did not arrive at the Cham<
| berlin tonight. contrary TO general OK
| pectations. Manager Campbell. who had
| set apart the best suite OF rooms in ths
| Chamberlin for Marcus "Aurelius." re-
| ceived n telegram from Washington this
| morning TO the effect that Mr.. Henna and
| party had given up their purpose OF visit
! ing Old Point Comfort for recreation as
| the Senator had important matters which
| demanded his presence at the nation
capital.
At II o'clock this morning. at Hotel
Chamberlin, Lieutenant William G. MIL
Ter, Jr, United States navy, and Miss
Elizabeth S. McCalla, daughter of Cons
| rnandar AIcCale,-of the navy, were mar
| ried in the presence Of number OF
friends.
| PROFESSOR EPES ENDORSED.
The Board Of School Trustees has en-
| dorsed Professor n. IT, Epcs. principal
| of the High School, for one OF the in
structors In the Summer Normal School.
Mr. Epes received unanimous endorse
ment and will no doubt be appointed by
the State Board OF Education. He Is ona
| of the best-knOwn educators in tho State.
is a graduate OF the Virginia Military IN
stitute, and has been engaged In educa'
tional work for the past twenty years
, Professor Epes Is a brother Of ex-Con-
gresham Epes. who was recently unseat-
ed by the Republican party.
; | tee met last evening and determined upon
the plan for the lesalized primary elec'
. ton to be held on April 2Sth.
The Lutherans in this city are now
raising a fund for a new church
The Yale Glee Club gave Cne or It's
"swell' entertainments at the Chamber
: lin Hotel last night
THE TRAMP WENT BACK.
It was reported this afternoon that q
Spanish cruiser was making tho capes en-
route to Newport News for coal. lnvesti
cation revealed the fact that a Spanish
tramp steamship had entered, but turned
back when II learned that six United
States men-of-war were anchored IN
= Hampton Roads.
There IS no longer any doubt that tho
Morgan Line steamships FL Rio and III
Sud will be coverted into armored auxi'
liary cruisers at the local ship-yard.
THE BLACKsBURG CADETS WIy.