The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-15
MECHANICS HAVE
ANNUAL MEETING
Ancient Organization i'm Prosper
Gus COndition-Hugh r.
Smith President.
SEND BACK RUNAWAY BOYS
Two Lads Whom Police "Wel-
coined Are Returned 20
Norfolk.

especial 20 ne tnes-DiEpa -ch-l
PETERSBURG. VA. January 1.-The
Petersburg Benevolent Mechanics Asso-
citation. one or the oldest and best-<nown
organizations ia the State. held It's an
nual meeting for the election OF officers.
receiving reports and other business at
the Mechanics Library tonight. The
following officers were elected. President
Hugh r. smith; Nlce-President, w r.
Poole. Secretary and Treasurer. ". II.
Baxter: Directors-Charies T.. Williamson.
r r. Brunei r. L. Campbell. James y
Branch. Or. Thomas y. Burgess O. W.
Matt0x. A. J. Clements. The association
was organized Ia 1879 for the benefit and
advancement OF mechanics. and has been
IN active operation ever since. numbering
now among its members some % the
most honored citizens in Petersburg. Ii
has ono OF tho most valuable libraries
in Virginia numbering over lO.OoO vol
umes. Reports tonight showed additions
during the year OF about go volumes and
a register Of over 5000 visitors. not fn-
oludinK members and their families At
tached 90 the library IS an excellent rnu-
scum After the meeting tonight a ban-
quet was given AT Masonic Hail.
Anti-Saloon Addresses.
Yesterday was the Petersburg Field
Day OF the Anu-Saloon League Of Vir-
GINA Ministers representing the or
ganization preached at all the Methodist
churches In this city and vicinity, ex-
cepting the Washington Street Church.
Rev. J. w. Mitchell. president OF the
league. preached at tho Ettrick Metho-
dist Church IN tho morning and at the
Ettrick Baptist Church In tho evening.
Rev Or. r. II. Bennett OF Randolph
Macon College. one Of the most proml.
ncnt reprcsen tatives OF the League,
~ an
Church In the morning and AT Wesley
Church IN the evening. presenting the
cause Of temperance IN most interesting
form 10 large congregations. Rev. J.
W. West. neid secretary OF the league.
was at Blandford Church in the rnorutna
and Mt the High Street Church in the
evening.
The union evangelistlc services held M
Baptist. Methodist and Presbyterian
churches during last week were so sue
cessful that ministers OF tho several
denominations will continue 90 conduct
them each night this week. The SER
vices will be held at the First Baptist
Church. where different clergyman OF
this city win preach each night
Runaway Boys Return.
Louis HandberE. ten years old. and
Eudo Bell. twelve years old. two small
runaway white boys from Norfolk. who
stole a freight train ride to Petersburg
Saturday night, ana we're welcomed by
the police on their arrival. were re-
turned to their homes to-day.
Police Officer James r. Collier. who
went 20 Jacksonville. Fla, a few davs
ago with requisition papers for NJ X.
Suter and a man named Gregory. teie-
graphs that he viii leave with his pris-
oners for Petersburg to-day. The men
are wanted here for robbery. and Suter.
who IS said to be a widely known crook,
has been under Indictment here FOR some
time.
4 forest fire in Chesterfield county.
beyond Swift Creek. Saturday evening.
burnt over considerable area and
threatened the seaboard Air line trestle
bridge across Swift Creek. but died out
before reaching 90. II Is understood that
little damage resulted from the fro
which It believed to have been started by
board Air Line Railroad.
Storage Warehouse.
Excavations FOR big storage warehouse
on the Old Dunlop lot, extending from
Bolingbrook 10 Lombard Streets. have
been begun. Brister & Harrison are the
contractors.
The stock. business and goodwill Of
The Palms" on Sycamore Street he's
been sold by F. K Clements. the former
owner. Tho name of the purchaser has
not been announced
The lot on South Street purchased by
the American Cigar Company for the
erection Of another big cigar factory is
being cleared. preparatory to building
ouera tons