Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-28

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The countin~ room OF the Richmond Dis
patch and the Richmond News has been
a beehive of industry day and night for
weeks The climax has been reached dur
ing the week just closed, and last night
was the record breaker. Passers-by have
observed g large force OF clerks and &C
countants busily engaged in writing and
compiling statistics night after night. and
well into the morning. and had they stay
ed to see. they would have observed that
this night force was busy practically all
night Last night was the biggest rush
of the entire three months that the rush
has been on.
The occasion for this all-night work has
been the great profit-sharing contest in
augurated by the Richmond Dispatch and
the Richmond News for their own and
their subscribers benefit, and incidentally
to introduce the papers into homes where
they were not That means that the
papers once subscribed to will continue
to be taken year after year, for their
merits insure that.
Total of GSe Prizes.
The contest was inaugurated September
24ln, 1902, and consisted Of competition
in estinat ting or guessing the amount of
toe bank clearings of the combined bank
ing houses of Richmond during the year.
It has been announced in the columns OF
the Dispatch and the News since the
contest begun, together with full and
explicit statement OF the terms and condi-
tons. In brief the competition was for
total of $4,000 to be distributed in prizes
or bonuses to those guessing the nearest
the total amount of the bank clearances.
For the nearest correct estimate. prize
of $500 was offered; for the next nearest,
$3.50; for the third, 500, for the fourth, SIS,
for the fifth, $50, and for the sixth. $50.
The next fifty nearest correct guessers
will get SO each; the next 100 guessers -
each. The next 200 nearest correct s.
each, and the next 300 nearest correct. 81
each. This makes up $4,000 of the entire
So, 600. The remaining $500 is to be distrib-
uted in prizes of sle0. SIS. $50. sS5. SIS. and
SIS for the nearest correct estimates sub
mitted before September 18th, October ISL,
October 18th, Novem:e: 1st. November
18th, and December LIST. Thus total OF
662 prizes will be awarded to those en-
titled to them.
To BE Announced Shortly.
The total bank clearings Of the city will
be announced on or about January ISL
The submission Of guesses closed a mid
night, and under no conditions or excuses
will one offered after that time be con-
sidered The result will be officially an
nounced as soon after January LIST as
practica BILE. It will probably take. day
or two to compile and record the guesses:
The night force In the office has been
kept busy receiving the guesses and re-
cordiL; them ever since September 24th
Guesses accompanied by paid subscrip-
lions have been pouring in by every mall,
by messenger and presentation by guess
ers themselves AS the time for the close
of the contest drew near. the guesses
began to pour In In greater volume until
yesterday and last night. when they came
in a deluge. by mail. In person. and IN
every way. Each guess was accompanied
by paid subscriptions. In some cases sub
scriptions were paid UP for five years in
advance by the eager guessers. Last
night two gentlemen paid up for the Dis
patch for two years each.
Up to the Last Moment.
All the evening up to the midnight hour.
guessers were pouring IN and deposittng
their money and guesses.
Tbs subscription lists of both papers
have been enormously augmented by the
contest and the contestants. besides re-
ceiving their moneys worth in the paper.
will have fair chance at the rich prizes
5 10 be awarded.
A committee of prominent business men
will &c selected to canvass the result and
I compile and onlcially announce 1t. The
naEes Of the committeeman will be an
no1ncad N a few days. Meanwhile. ths