Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-04-13
HAMPTON.
A Boys Narrow Escape From a
Life Sentence.
Anniversary Exercises of Normal Institute
-ALnndlord Ficeccd- Grip mt tho Sol
diors' Holno-rriai for murder Fight
for Life.
Especial to vIrglnlan-P Pilot,

Hampton, Va, April 1.-THE narrow
escape of Davy Stephenson. the colored
youth who was yesterday found guilty,
stealing Il pair of shoes from the Rev.
DR.. Richard Spiller the distinguished
colored Baptist minister of this city,
from a lifetime sentence in the peni-
Tertiary, recalls the fact that Mr. C. P.
Huntington has been for some time
considering plans looking to the estab-
lishment in Virginia of q reformatory
for colored boys and girls. There is
such an institution for white youths. the
expense of maintaining it being paid
out Of private purses.
While Mr.. Huntington's plans have
not been made public, it is said that
Hampton is not unlikely to become the
seat of the proposed establishment, the
town, in the judgment of the million
airc, aiTording better facilities for its
successful management than any other
place in the State.
Mr.. Huntington is deeply interested
in the welfare of the colored race and
has contributed literally of his means
for Its advancement. 1t is stated
that another scheme which will be car
ried out at an early day for the benefit
of the negroes of this section is a dime
Newport News.
ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES
The anniversary exercises of the
Hampton Normal and Agricultural In
stitute. which will occur on the 25th
instant promises to exceed in interest
those of any year in the history of the
famous school. Many distinguished peo-
pie will be present, including. perhaps,
Governor Tyler. Acknowledgement Mon
tlU1lo and other St0ta oia1c 10 ,x-yo
invitations have ben sent. 1t is also
hoped that Booker Washington will be
here.
Especially interesting will be the con-
ferences which will take place concern
ing the progress made by the colored
people of the South along educational
lines and in trade and commerce The
work of inspiring and cultivating moral
and religious sentiment in the race, as
we'll as Riding 1t of the hindrance
which now lie in the way of so desir-
able growth. will also receive a large
share of attention at the hands of both
speakers and writers of prominence.
These conferences viii continue several
days.
FLEECED HIS LANDLORD.
A man who registered at the Augusta
hotel a week ago. as Alexander Staun-
ton, of Boston. succeeded on Thursday
in fleeing his landlord out of a board
bill. Stanton. it is alleged. had a
scheme for building a city, somewhere
on the shore of Mill Creek, for the be-
nefit of working people. He enlisted the
interest of one or two real estate men.
from whom he borrowed small sums. 1t
is said that he went from here to Nor
folk. with Landlord Clay in hot pur-
suit.
GRIP AT THE HOME.
Scores of the old men at the Soldiers
Home are down with the grip, but the
number of fatal cases reported is by
no means so large IS during former
epidemics of the malady. This happy
state of affairs is attributed to Cover
nor Woodfin's watchfuness. When it
was announced that the disease had
broken out among the veterans he pro-
ceeded to combat it on the principle
that "a stitch in time saves nine" But
Notwithstanding the Governors care
the number OF mounds in the Gene.
terry north OF the Home Is rapidly in
creaSing.
THE TRIAL OF GRANT WATTS.
The trial of Grant Watts, charged
with completely in the murder OF Bat
teryman New. of Fort Monroe, which
occurred at Phoebus about three
months ago. is attracting more atten-
ton than that OF Phillips, said to have
pceu the priicipsli III the Orlmc and
last week found guilty of murder in the
first degree. Many people believe that
Watts, while knowing, perhaps, that
the soldier was to be killed. took no
part in the assassination.
FIGHT FOR A LIFE.
Attorneys Bassette and Fields. OF this
city. have formally applied to Judge
Blackstone for q new trial in the case
OF Frank Benjamin, the young negro
under sentence of death for an alleged
assault upon n white woman at the res
idence of Banker George A. Schmelz
about four weeks ago. In case the ap-
piication is denied. Benjamin's friends
VIII endeavor to secure communication of
the sentence. At the trial the plea of
insanity was put forth in his behalf.
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