Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-15
Especial to virsinian-Pilot.)

Hospital here suffering from a self
inflicted wound, while iaboring under
temporary insanity.
Capt. Couch has been especially ac-
ti|e IN the pursuit of oyster thieves,
and had. it is said, incurred the enmity
OF u number of poachers, who had
threatened to have their revenge at
the arst opportunity. The fear Of
meeting unexpectedly with bodily harm
caused his mind to give way.
For some time Capt. Couch had been
stationed near West Point, guarding
the private oyster beds of DR.. George
richardson. Early this morning he
rushed into the Terminal Hotel shout
ing TO take his life. He drew pistol
and began to fire at random, narrow
~ missing several guests He then
rushed to the roof of the hotel and fired
two shots at himself, one grazing his
head and the other lodging In his lower
left side.
CHANCE FOR RECOVERY.
1t is thought that the injured man
may recover.
The city to-day has as guests many
Democrats, who are here to attend the
meeting of the State and Executive
Democratic Committees tomorrow
morning.
The work tomorrow will be OF con-
siderable interest TO the Democratic
party of Virginia
DEMOCRATIC EXECUTIVE COM
MITTEE.
Chairman Ellyson to-day announced
that he had appointed on his Executive
Committee the same gentlemen who
served last year. Their names are as
follows:
First District-W. A. Jones'
Second District--R L. Boykin.
Third District-H. NJ. Smith, Jr.
Fourth District-Wm. Hodges Mannl
Fifth District-E. w. Saunders.
Sixth District-Carter Glass.
Seventh District-Thomas S. Martin.
Eighth District-Joseph II. Willard.
Ninth District-W. h. Rhea.
Tenth Distrct-E,dward Echols.
There are fifty members OF the GEN.
trail body and ten of the Executive
Committee. Most OF these gentlemen
twelve electors and nine nominees for
Congress are expected. The Democrats
OF the Second District have not made
a nomination as yet.
ENCOURAGING PROSPECT.
Secretary Joseph Button arrived this
morning. He says the situation in the
Tenth District is very encouraging to
the Democrats. There is no doubt. he
says, OF the election of Mr.. Flood. pro-
vided all the Democrats will go to
work. MIR. Button thinks the party
will perfect the strongest organization
1t has ever had in the Tenth.
THE NINTH DISTRICT.
Mr. Il. a. Lynch, member of the
lIOtl llS Nlutu ar
rived this morning. He says the DEM.
eerats of the Southwest are determine
ed to re-elect Judge Rhea. They will
so TO work in earnest about the first
OF September The campaign prom
ises TO be a hot one. but Mr.. Lynch
thinks Mr.. Rhea will receive a larger
majority than he got two years ago.
DEMOCRATIC HEADQUARTERS
Headquarters Will be opened here
about the first of September. Secre-
q ~ Nttff a % Loo l....
roome will be needed and they cannot
be secured in the Chamber of Com
merce building. He will look around
elsewhere for quarters.
LETTERS FROM CHINA.
Several interesting letters from China
have been received here. One was to
the Presbyterian Mission Board from
missionaries in Shanghai, saying that
the missionaries are all safe and COM
Portable and that the younger mis-
sionaries are drilling in the battalions
being formed for the possible defense
of Shanghai.
\ letter received by the Foreign Mis-.
sion Board of the Southern BAPTIST
Convention from Rev. r. E. Chambers
of the South China Mission. with head
quarters at Canton, states that it seems
likely that another month will see trou-
pie IN south China, He says that about
three weeks before the date of the LET
ter the American consul ordered all
American women and children to leave
canton and take refuge in Hong Kont.
or Macao. and that while there Ia at
present no outbreak in Canton. the sit
uation Is most delicate and some ac-
tion slight IN itself is liable to precipi-
tate trouble at any time. He says that
considering the situation, several mis-
slons nave decided that it will be best
Tor those whose furloughs are nearly
que 10 go home, il the events of the
near future seem to justify them in
Mr.. Chambers married Miss Matte
hail. of Richmond. He has heen In
China about five years.
Another letter from Rev p r.
Bryan, OF the Central China Mission
With headquarters at Shanghai states
that the missionaries have never i,esn
IN any danger in Shanghai. He saws.
however that the situation "a very ne.
culiar. and that while they do not
seem TO be in danger, they do not know
what a day may bring forth.
,r BAT.rLESEIP VIRGINIA..
Inc w. II. Trigg Ship Company has
pesN asheu by the Government to bid
tvr ine construction of the battleship
virginia, and the three new cruisers to
be built in the near future. The Trigg
oihciais are now at work preparing
drawings and bids which will be sub
mitted next month.
me launching OF the torpedo boat
destroyer Decatur VIII take place prob
carnival.
The boat will be cnr!stened BY MISC