Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-12
NEWPORT NEWS
Hands Employed for Railroad Con-
struction Are Dissatisfied.
Tho Contest Situation Apparently in statu
Quo Another Mysterious Fire In Rock
cts-Pilgrims Visit Norfolk TO Learn RI
tualistic CcremoniaIs.

Newport News, Va, July 11.-Mr.
George Wray Booker left here two
weeks ago with Il force of about $50
men for Gladys. w. Va. The men were
to go'to work on the new railroad that
is being constructed by Mr.. II. 1. Ma
son, of this city.
Several young white men that went
out with him do not seem to be very
much prepossesscd with West Virginia
or railroading. Some of them did not
start to work at all, and others work
ed only few days. They went ont
with the intention Of getting carpen-
ter work, but they could not get any
ana the only avenues remaining was
the pick and shovel and tie-ticket
routes. The boys chose the latter, and
after several days of "tramping it,
and beating" freight trains they land
ed back on the peninsula.
THE CONTEST SITUATION.
The contest situation is, apparently,
in statC quo.
1T is understood that both Mr.. Mitch
ell ana MIR. Fitchett have secured as
many az seven afiidavits from people
who claim To have voted for them. and
expect to come into the Council with
ut least one more apiece.
The remarkable feature of this case
the ballots in the case of Mr.. Mitchell
and Mr.. Fitlchett, voted for Mr. Fitch
cit, which makes ii all the more aston
ishing that there should have been a
mistake in the count.
This Tact is being commented on
10 Il considerable extent. and ii is en-
Sidercd by many that the count. made
by friends of the contestants should
he taken as of fully as much account
as the afiidaVitS.
ANOTHER FIRE.
Another mysterious fire occurred
last night in the Rockets. and had il
not been for the prompt services rem
dcred by the residents of that locality
Il serious fire would have been the re-
suit.
y gents furnishing store $685. Twen-
ty-third street. is conducted by l. f
Eaier. and soon after he had closed
the rear part of the store was seen
TO I'LL with smoke. and upon investi-
cation the fire was found in a Cox
alongside the rear side wall, and no
explanation could be given as to the
origin of the fire. These fires
have occurred quite frequently of late
in this district and a thorough invcs-
tigation should he inaugurated, as the
expenses to tho city each time the de-
partmcnt is called out amounts to
quite sum. The department respond
cd promptly. and Chief Stew made n
thorough examination of the premises.
PILGRIMS VISIT NORFOLK.
Grand Knight Bowen, Chaplain Don
ahoe and Guard j. j. Ward. of the
local council of the knights of Column
bus, last evening went over to Nor
folk to witness an eXempliiication of
the second degree in the ritualistic Ger
cmonials of the order.
The mystic rites We're conducted by
the officers of the Norfolk and Ports
mouth councils and extended far int -
the night. The pilgrims from the
'Shipbuilding City" We're unable to re-
turn home until this morning, there be-
ing no available means Of Transports
ton in operation at the late hour of
adjournment. They We're Hospitality
received by the brethren across the
Roads. many of whom will probably
visit this city on the occasion of the
installation OF the officers of the New
port News council next month.