The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1900-03-04
FRESH GOSSIP
FROM GOTHAM
Methodist Bishops Appoint a Week
Of Prayer.
DEATH OF "FATTY" BATES.
\ wildcat Breaks Out in Madison
Square Garden and Makes
Panic-A Case That Paz-
zIes the Doctors.

NEW YORK, March 3.-Special-The
Methodist Bishops have appointed week
OF prayer, beginning March 18th, for the
people OF the whole state of the Church
bishops Ninde, Fowler, and joyce have
prepared a letter which explains the
meaning of this action.
While taking hopeful view of the fu-
ture and by no means confessing the de-
cadence of Methodsm, the letter calls
attention to certain facts which demand
revival of the old time spirit AID en-
thusiasm and devotion of this famous
and a aggressive Church. They declare that
the Church has stood aloof from attempt
ing any solution Of labor troubles and
has left the Submerged tenth" to the
Savatlon Army. Christian Science, the
abandonment OF camp meetings and the
indulgence in light literature and amuse-
ments are given as the causes of de@iina
in iChurch attendance and discipline
Criticism of preachers and sacred thihSS
and the higher criticism of the Bible are
stated as contributing causes. TO arouse
the members the week of prayer IS ap-
pointed
DEATH OF A EIORSEMAN.
The death is announced OF Charles Z.
Bates. "a well-known horse dealer better
known as Patty Bates. He had been
Ill with pneumonia since "Wednesday.
Mr.. Bates was born thirty-four years ago
at Newport, r. l.. He was unmarried. he
was the proprietor of the New YORK
Coach, Horse and Cab Company. winch
has extensive stables at No. 2lo Nest-End
Avenue.
Mr.. Bates was one of the best known
figures at the annual Madison Square
Garden Horse Show. He WAS always a
winner in the many classes in whlcn ne
mad horses entered. Some Of the pest
families in the city have bought 1neir
z horses from him.
WILDCAT. LOOSE
There was small panic at the Sports
mems Show in Madison Square Garden
yesterday, when a wildcat broke out Oh
its lair and wandered around the build
ing. The animal had become infuriated
by reason of the fact that spectators haa
been poillng al it with sticks ana IN It's
desperation squeezed through the WIRE
mesh of its cage. and gained the floor-
What happened next is best described cy
the Herald:
For fraction of a second he slared
Hereby at the almost panic-st-icken
crowds in front of him. and then darted
with the agility of a squirrel up the
foliage back of his cage to the promenade
gallery above.
Several young women were at the gal
5!ery edge when he reached the top. and
their piercing shrieks acted as general
alarm. Disdaining to take any NOTICE
of the ladies the cat mounted the gallery
railing and gave an exhibition OF sprint
ing toward the Madison Avenue entrance
that was revelation to those who saw.
it.
In a box over the main entrance
d,Aquin's Military Band was playing the
5,ntermezzo Of 1Srothar's Monte Crtsto,
Ewnen the animal approac hed the n VIE " U.
the suddenness Of "a limited express.,Eoo
startled to remove their instruments fraHl.
their mouths, the musicians uneonsci7us u.s.
sly expressed their terror through their
trumpet, and the blast possibly would
have killed the composer OF Monte
sCristo.. had he heard it.
Arriving at the gallery stairs at the
northeast corner Of the pron,enad de-. ths5
cat rushed headlong Town the stairs and
mid beneath them
various schemes 10 capture - @t