Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-11-28

their homes. The 7:t0 Norfolk and West
ern train brought ba OK a large delega-
ton of virginia Military institute and
Virginia Polytechnic Institute men to Pc
tcrsburg, Suffolk. and Richmond. The
{ rres TO Portsmouth and Berklsv were
crowded. and there vas 2 big outpourlns
OF Norfolk people.
Five Thousand Spectators.
About 5000 people witnessed the game
a Lafayette field. The erandstand was
completely filed. and around the field
packed. Before the game was finished.
however, there was a marked thinning
out. The contest was decided beyond
6oubt. and the raw, wind that blew from
the northwest chilled the spectators 10
the bone. making it TOO uncomfortable
TO remain sea ted in the open air.
While Virginia Military institute coiors
were y abundan nee OF. the streets and in
the hotel lobby during the forenoon. as
well as on the field. the majority seemed
10 favor the Virginia Polytechnic Irsti-
;ute. if colors count for anything. The
south side OF the field was packed with
carriages gayly decorated. and many
conch;ng and tally-ho parties were in evil
dencc.
The crowd began to gather at Lafayette
field by o'clock. The car line was taxed
to The limit. but the accommodations were
fairly sood. During the wait attending
the arrival Of the teams, volunteer band
OF thirty pieces from TIE United States
training-ship Franklin. at the Norfolk
navy-yard. enivened the occasion with
rastfme and quicksttn. When Dewey made
hfssensat;onal run the band broke out with
Dixie. and there was a rous.ns welcome
given TO the air as the strains hoated
over the field. Unfortunately. the cadet
corps Of V NJ. I. and Y. ?. I. were not In
attendance upon The game. They had TO
stay at home. But there were plenty sup
porters Of the two teams present, and
their cheers rang out from time TO time
while the big crowd was assembling. AM
PIE police protection was afforded, ana
the field was kept absolutely clear of
invaders. Thirty officers, in full uniform.
patrolled the field, but there was nc de-
mand for their services.
At $50. the V. p. I. team entered the
north entrance in a tally-ho. and salvo
OF cheers greeted them, while the band
struck I'D a Sousa march. By ESQ the
mass Of the spectators had assembled.
and shortly after, the V. II. I. team
tIotted upon the 1leid, with Captain.
George Dewey at their head. They were
met with whirlwind Of cheers. Both
teams INDUCED in sho-: preliminary Sig
nal practice, and at 2:45 Referee Abbott
blew his whistle for tne opening OF the
game.
The sharp wind that was blowing
made il evident that the team that won
the toss-up would choose the west goal!
1t fell to the lot OF Y. NJ. l., and V. T. l.
took the kickoff. From this time on The
interest centred in the game. which con-
sisted OF two thirty-five-n minute halves.
Between the halves. the band, with
sailor drum major at its head, paraded
up and down the field to MARTA! music
and the sailor major-don1a did fancy
stunts with his wand.
Carpenter was laid up several times
during the game, and was generally done
up at its close. Pace, the big '. M l.
tackle, was taken out Of the game IN
he second half and r. johnson subsu'
tuted. Wilson, the pluc:1y left tackle,
plaved throughout the game with an ao-
scess on his knee With this exception
there was no changes in the personnel OF
the two teams throughout the game.
The Line Tn.