Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-12
OLD POINTS SCARE.
THE CAUSE OF THE EXCITEMENT
on FRIDAY NIGHT.
German Tramp Steamer-An I'M
mense Amount of signaIIing-The
Cruiser MiDnoRpoIis-The Buffalo.
General Notes,

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, June IL
HpeciaL)-One OF the alleged Spanish
Warships. whose reported presence ont
side Of the Virginia Capes caused some
excitement at Old Point last night. and
served as rich food for newspaper cor
respondents, arrived at Newport News
this morning at II o'clock, In the form
OF the German steamship Constantia
captain Rorden, which sailed from New
orleans, June 9TH for Hamburg, with
cargo. Like all tramp steamers plving
between the extreme southern and Euro
pean ports. the Constantia took only
nough coal to carry her TO Hampton
ads, and put in here for sufficient
bG4 ker to carry her to the other side.
Ihs Constantia arrived at the Canes
carry last evening, and passed in shortly
after o'clock anchoring for the night
rms morning she proceeded through the
ihlhe-helds, and on passing the war
shlpe at Ola Point dipped her colors and
Iontlnuod on. her way to NEWPORT News
3hAt is the truth, the whole truth
snd nothing but che truth" of the SEN
sational report which was sent broad
cast over tho country last night.
IN order 10 learn the exact cause of the
scare your correspondent this morning
sent message 10 Cape Henry and re
ceived the following dispatch:
About O'Clock yesterday evening re-
ports began 10 come in OF a suspicious
Graft OIL the North Carolina coast, bound
hofth. Her approach was heralded nv
various descriptions. and finally. when
she passed In the Capes, at 7lO p. NJ.
she proved TO be the German steamsbin
Nohstantia, bound for Newport News. T"
III q hot
WAS being done by the fort and warships
9ast night between and II o'clock, and
mat some little excitement was caused
at Oid FONT in consequence Of the wild
reports that We're flying about.
IL is further stated that the men I'm
tort Monroe slept beside the guns last
might, ready for any emergency call that
might Oe issued. A sergeant at the fort
rs responsible for this statement.
MINNEAPOLIS ARRIVES.
The United States protected cruiser
Minneapolis. Captain Jewell. arrived here
at l2:l5 +. Nj. this afternoon and anchored
up the river just above the Harvard. IL |
is stated that the cruiser, which is the
bpeediest warship in the navy on the
regular list. will have her machinery
oFerhauled by the ship-yard and will
then take on about 1900 tons Of coal.
The Columbia, it is stated, will come up
she virginia Capes, and join her sister
ship. the Minneapolis
the 81. Louis, sister ship of the St Paul.
IS expected 10 arrive the latter part of |
next week. 1t is no longer a secret
shat the Navy Department CONCENTRATES |
ahe organization of another flying SQUAD
ron. The fastest ships OF the United
States navy are rapidly being modified
mere. mere, ana II Is said that Commodore
.chiey VIII return TO Hampton Roads on
me brooklyn, when the Spanish feet has
been captured or destroyed. TO take com
msnd OF another flying squadron. which
ls 70 make bold dash for the Straits Of
gibraltar and there keep tab on the ships
on the Spanish reserve squadron. There
VIII be all OF the swift regular and aux
1hary ships available and when IL is ne
cessary 70 send one of the flyers back
10 the Roads or the nearest telegraph
point 10 send messages the absence Of n
snip or TWO will not be felt
st the regular monthly business meet
ing OF the Baptist Young Peoples Union
OF the Newport News Baptist church last
night, the seni-annual election of officers
look place. The following were elected.
Arthur +. Allen, president; John A. cree
siee-9resident; w Perry Epes, secretary. .
W. y Tabb, assistant secretary; Mrs j,
w. Foley. treasurer I
NOTES.
Six of the officers OF the Janaoese er,,,-
Yer now being built at the Union IRON
Works' san Francisco, and the secretary
" me japanese Legation at Washlneton |
visited the ship-yard yesterday and mid
shcir respects 10 General-Superintendent
wafer a Post The distinguished for
.,sslsfs were escorted through the great
-, w,"nI an9 SHOWN the many departments
~. uie greatest shipbuiiding plant in {
american waters. From this city thew =
wspt 70 Fort Monroe, and returned "a :
Washington last night. ~ :
.hiidrens-Day will be celebrated IN. !
M LOTION al both OF the Methodist !
4he exercises at the washington-Aye- i