Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-16
MR.. THOMAS l.. CALLS MISSING.
His Whereabouts Unknown-Ques-
ton About the Alexandria ArmOry.


His Whereabouts Unknown-Ques'
tion About the Alexandria ArmOry.
ALEXANDRIA, VA, November D.
(Special)-Mr. Thomas l.. Calls. manager
of the Metropolitan Insurance Company
Of New York. hereabouts, is missing from
his home. and there are suspicious cir
cumstances connected with his absence
Mr.. Calls is tall. rawboned man OF
about As, with black hair and slender
build. and wears a moustache and plain
black suit He was last seen on the
80 ferryboat Saturday forenoon. 1t is
said ne left two notes--one to his wife,
the other to his chief deputy-saying that
he would drown himself and his body
would be found somewhere in the river
near by. The Metropolitan does a
large industrial business hereabouts. and
considerable money passes through its
manager here. Mr. Calls aspired to be
City Sergeant two years ago. and was
backed by the United Order of Junior
American Mechanics. Some time ago he
reported that he had been robbed of $3.50.
but no clue was obtained as to the thief.
JUMPED FROM THE BRIDGE.
A Washington man jumped from the
aqueduct bridge yesterday. He struck
lle aDutIuCnl anu was OGOWutG
An Alexandria bartender also took an
opiate, but was soon himself again.
The new county courthouse % Fort
Myer Heights will be dedicated to-mor-
row, when Governor Tyler is expected to
be present. 1t is a modern building, well
equipped for court uses. The old court
house on north Columbus street is in
rather a dilapidated condition. and too
far from the country people to suit them
The town claims half it's value. and that
of the grounds, which extend fun block,
and there has long been litigation in the
courts over 1t.
PROPOSED MILITARY COMPANY.
There was a meeting at the Armory
last night to inaugurate a scheme by
which the city would have a military
company. Those foremost in the move
ment were the members of the company
just mustered out of the government ser
vice. Colonel Il. l.. Smith. commandant
OF the original Alexandria Light Infantry,
called the meeting to order, and read the
military laws from the Code, after which
a sort of club was formed. with late
Second-Lieutenant - as captain. Ser
geant p. II. Murphy as first lieutenant,
and Payne as second lieutenant.
OF course this does nos settle the matter,
a prominent question in which is who
owns the Armory? The State does not
and the government lays no claim to 1t.
When the Alexandria Light Infantry, as
II Company, Third Virginia Volunteers,
entered the government service. ii was
with comparatively few men who had
long served in the organization. which
gradually built and enlarged the building.
OF course the State and Federal ques-
tions enter this matter. There are really
very few old-time members who did not
contribute 10 the needs of the organiza-
ton, and there is something Of senti-
mental nature of the matter-that is, the
general run OF the people believe that for
volunteer soldering some substantial man
should be atthe head of the company,
such as Colonel Smith, Captain Mushbach.
or others older and more prominent than
the young men who went to Richmond
and encamped at Camp Alger. The COM
pany did have roll Of honorary men,
bers, but that was twelve or fifteen years
ago--indeed, the. ladies have a just claim
TO il also. The Armory to-day is with
out a gun or a good cartridge, and the
pictures hanging on Its walls and the
uniforms TO be found there go away back.
OLD MEMBERS MAY PROTEST.
II is not unlikely that the old members
will protest against the meeting of last
nlKht. Inc Itdl STATUS VI lic SOipdhy
is not at all clear, for even those signing
the roll last night were discharged be-
fore being mustered out OF Uncle Sans
service, and there are some who went
out with the company to be disqualified
and returned. II II is to be club. 1t will
die like other clubs have died: II mill
tary organization. II will have to be
reorganized, with both active
and honorary members. Who owns the
Armory Is one piping question. and will
those disqualified for physical defects or
from lack Of inclination to go to war be
against is another, and
there are others besides. The Armory
covers two town lots. is well fitted Up,
and has a drill hall of about 40 by LIS
feet. on ground floor. 1t is free from
debt. and needs but slight repairs.
Several carloads Of collins for soldiers
are being stored at Asaph's; more are
10 arrive. They are emergency af-
fairs-e, e., ready for instant use.
Superintendent Ernst, injured in the
powder factory explosion in Fairfax. is
dead. making the second victim.
Agents Meet I'm Norfolk.
NORFOLK, VA, November 15.--(Spe- |
- ..o~.. ty,pnrtonf raoaffpo of rail |