The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-15
MECHANICS HAVE
ANNUAL MEET ING.
--------------------
Ancient Organization in Prosper
Gus Condition-Hugh r.
Smith President.
SEND BACK RUNAWAY BOYS
e------
Two Lads Whom Police "Wel-
comed' Are Returned to
Norfolk.
SEND BACK RUNAWAY BOYS
tspeolal to III. Tlmes-Dispa,ch.,

NSpeClul 70 Aud 4HHcb"1IabpdtCAi
PETERSBURG. VA. January 1.-THE
Petersburg Benevolent Mechanics Asso-
citation. one OF the oldest and best-known
organizations in the State. held Its an
nual meeting for the election of officers,
receiving reports and other business at
the Mechanics Library tonight. Tho
following officers were elected: President,
Hugh K. Smith; yice-President, w. b.
Poole: Secretary and Treasurer, w. II.
Baxter: Directors--Charies Z. Williamson,
r. e. Brunei. Il. l.. Campbell, James y.
Branch. DR.. Thomas Y. Burgess, o. w.
Mattox. A. j. Clements. The association
was organized In 1925 for the benefit and
advancement OF mechanics. and has been
In active operation ever since, numbering
now among It's members some OF tho
most honored citizens in Petersburg. 1t
has ono OF the most valuable libraries
in Virginia. numbering over 1000 vol
umes. Reports tonight showed additions
during the year Of about 800 volumes and
a register of over 5000 visitors. not In
olnding maubers and their families. At
tached to the library Is an excellent mu-
scum. After the meeting tonight BAN
quet was given at Masonic Hall.
Anti-Saloon Addresses.
Yesterday was the Petersburg Field
Day of the Anu-saloon League OF vlr-
ginia- Ministers representing the or
ganization preached at all the Methodist
churches in this city and vicinity. ex-
ceptinE the Washington Street Church.
Rev. j. w. Mitchell. president of the
league, preached at the Ettrick Metlio-
dist Church In the morning and at the
Ettrick Baptist Church In tho evening.
Rev. DR.. r. II. Bennett. Of Randolph
Macon College. one OF the most proml.
rient Representatives OF the league,
preached at tho Market Street Methodist
Church In the morning and at Wesley
Church in the evening. presenting the
cause Of temperance In most interesting
form to large congregations. Rev. j..
w. West, field secretary OF the league.
was at Blandford Church in the rnort'ns
and ut the High Street Church in the
evening.
The union evangellstic services held at
Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian
churches during last week were SO sue
cessful that ministers OF tho several
denominations will continue to conduct
them each night this week. The SER
vices will be held at the First Baptist
Church, where different clergymen Of
this city viii preach each night.
Runaway Boys Return.
Louis Handbers, ten years DID, and
Eudo Bell. twelve years old. two small
runaway white boys from Norfolk, who
stole a freight train ride to Petersburg
Saturday night, ana were welcomed by
the police on their arrival. were re-
turned to their homes to-day.
Police Officer James f. Collier. who
went to Jacksonville Fla, few days
ago with requisition papers for NJ. K.
tn1n
graphs that he Will leave with his pris-
oners for Petersburg to-day. The men
are wanted here for robbery, and Suter,
who is said to be widely known crook,
has been under Indictment hero for some
time.
A 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, bit died out
before reaching It. It Ia understood that
little damage resulted from the fire.
which 1t believed to have been started by
n spark from a locomotive on the Sea.
board Air Line Railroad.
Storage Warehouse.
Excavations for big storage warehouse
on the old Dunlop lot. extending from
Bollingbrook to Lombard Streets, have
been begun. Brister & Harrison are the
contractors.
The stock. business and goodwill OF
"The Palms" on Sycamore Street, hes
been sold by F. K. Clements, the former
owner. The 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
be;nr cleared, preparatory to building
operations.