Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-25

CAPTAIN NJ. farrell; Company n, OF Nor
folk. Captain r. j. Nottingham; First
and Second Division of the Norfolk Naval
Reserves. under Lieutenant c. W. CAKE
the Light Artillery Blues, of norfolk,
CAPTAIN NJ. c. Keeling; the Suffolk COM
NAMES + and G., under Captains Causey
and Norfeet, and the Franklin company,
Captain Vaughan, and Company b' Oh
Richmond, Captain Frank w. cunning
ham. and Company +, Captain morgan
r. Mills. ,..,o
Then the Kentucky contingent oecaIle
very much in evidence. Their enthusiasm
knew no bounds. The colors of the Blue
grass State" entwined with the
stars and Stripes, were Haunting from
the military masts Of the kentucky'
while miniature State flags were ehthusi-
astjcally waved by the crowd.
HAD AROUSED SPECIAL lNTEkESI /.
Aside from the fact that the oattlesnlp
is 10 bA Aone of Uncle Sans nnest ue-
tenders, much interest attached 10 the
ceremony of christening this vessei Oh
other reasons. In fact, the kentucky mas
been prominently before the pubhc ever
since its keel was laid. t1rst lherH
tbe unfortunate controversy as 10 "ho
ebould he sponsor for the vessel, MISS
Harriet b. Richardson claiming that she
had been appointed TO that ONCE oy
Secretary Herbert, and declaring that she
Intended TO perform the function whether
or mo This complication was hnally
straie htened out, Secretary Long appoint
ing Miss Christine Bradley to chrlsten lhe
ship. ~
This tangle having been settled 10 the
satisfaction of all but Miss Rlcharusoh'
the momentous question was Ialseu do
IN what fluid should be dashed against
the how of the ship. A number OF en-
thnsiastic Kentuckians promptly suggest
cd that the ceremony be performed Win
a ouart bottle of old Bourbon" whiskey
This precipitated a storm OF proleStS
from the "White Ribboners ana lee
totallers. and they began 10 bring all the
influence possible to bear upon the lalr
sponsor TO induce her 10 refrain irolii
putting into execution a plan so repug-
nant 10 their principles Under their
Jealous presentation OF the case pupiic
sentiment was swung back TO the other
extreme and Miss Bradley finally an
nounced that she would use water from
the spring at which Lincoln once Stacked
his thirst. This programme received
the sanction of a number or prominent
persons. the Kentucky Legislature mann
Testing it's interest by passing resolu-
tion endorsing the position assumed by
the fair young sponsor.
This, however, did not colnciue WIN
the wishes of a large number OF Ken
tu~A--s, who were averse to depar-
ture from the time-honored custom OF
christening ships. and some OF them
quietly prepared to have an auxiliary
christening on their own account.
GETTING THE SHIP READY.
The workmen quickly lined up on either
side Of the massive steel frame towering
above them. Again the blows of the ham
mers striking in unison sounded until ths
Kentucky slowly and imperceptibly ros
from the ground ways and was in posi-
ton TO be launched. Again the breathless
pause as the saw gradually bit us way
through the sole pieces. The sharp snap
was repeated, and then the Kentucky was
OFF
The bottle which held the spring watei
with which the vessel was TO be christen
ed was heavy cut-glass receptacle
handsomely mounted In silver. Miss Brad