Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-22
HAMPTON.
BODY OF UNKNOWN MAN FOUND
BASEBALL.
Especial to virginlan-Pllot.)


Especial to Virginlan- Pllot.)
Hampton, Va, April 21.-Late yester-
day afternoon officer Joseph Deistle re-
ceived n telephone message from Cap
tain Cronkmte. OF Fortress Monroe.
announcing the fact that q body had
washed ashore just back of the water
battery. This officer at once secured
the services of Justice w. G.. Skinner,
who acted in the absence OF Coroner J.
V. Jones, and took the next car for
the scene of the tragedy. An inquest
was held, but the body Was not iden-
tilted. 1t is supposed that the man
was one of the crew who went down
with the schooner near Newport News
last winter. Undertaken Hall, who had
the body in charge said that he
thought he had been in the water three
months He has either been in the
water since last winter or winter be-
fore last, for his coat was tightly but
toned up and he had a pair of heavy
mittens in his pockets. so he was GER
tainly drowned during winter time.
BASEBALL.
This afternoon the entire Hampton
club was at practice at Riverview
Park. Monday an exhibition game will
be played with the street-car nine, and
this will give the people OF Hampton
an opportunity to get glimpse Of the
boys that will defend Hampton in the
Virginia League.
CURTIS NARROW ESCAPE.
Shortly before II o'clock last might
Mr.. Edwin Curtis, who has for some
time been conducting u country store
on Back river near the new Poquosin
bridge, ten or twelve miles from this
place. discovered that the house was on
fire. The building was two stories
ffv II ND
second floor. He is not certain what
1T was that aroused him; but whatever
it was, he opened his eyes and saw
tongues of flame darting here and
there. He sprang from the bed. seized
his clothing, leaving purse containing
$50 Under his pillow, and ran for the
nearest window. with the fire almost
at his heels. He leaped TO the ground
ana calmly viewed the destruction of
his building and its contents. That was
all he could do. The exact loss Is not
known, but 1t will run into the hun
dreds. He carried a small insurance
policy on his stock. This Is the fourth
lire that has occurred ut that place.
The country around is populated en-
tirely by colored people, and it is be-
licved that some one who disliked Mr.
Curtis set fire to the building. Mr..
Curtis is n son of the Sheriff Of this
county.
;. TROUBLE IN A CHURCH.
The withdrawal of thirty-eight mem
hers of Big Bethel Church. nine miles
from this place, for the purpose OF
forming n new organization at Little
Bethel about five miles distant from
Hampton. which took place three weeks
ago, promises to breed ill-feeling among
the Baptist brethren of that section of
the county. The Rev A. n Allison
pastor at Big Bethel. is severely criti-
cised by MIR. c. w. Banes, of Newport
News, on account of his attitude to-
ward the rev church. Mr.. Allison was
not present at the organization. which
was conducted by the Rev. Mr.. Cox,
pastor OF one of the Baptist churches
ut Newport News. and two or three
other ministers He explains that his
absence was due TO the fact that he
mad to attend funeral several miles
away and could not possibly be present.
1t was said to-day by Colonel r. II.
saunders, one Of the members OF Big
Belhel -thatAlr- Raf4as- Had made q
serious mistake by assailng Mr.. ALI
son.
A FOX HILL ENTEE TAINMENT.
a delightful entertainments took place
last night in the Odd Fellows Hall at
fo% Hill. 1t was given for the benefit
OF the Methodist Church of that pros
porous village and was as successful
III yielding dollars as it was i'm afford
ing amusement for the two or three
hundred people who We're present. An
other event which is being looked for
ward to with interest is lecture on
Odd Fellowship. which will be given
next Thursday evening.