davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
MUSIC CONTRACT
| TO BLUES BAND
Six Park Concerts Week fol
Twelve Consecutive Weeks
Is Schedule.

Contract for supplying the city with
park music for the summer was
awarded last night by the Council
Committee on Grounds and Buildings
to he band of the Richmond Light In
fantry Blues, the specifications calling
for band OF twl,lty-nve musicians
six concerts a week. OF two hours
duration each, for period of twelve
weeks.
Two other bids were received, Pro
fessor Sctin, Of the Bjou and Acad-
cmy orchestras, offered strictly
union band for ten weeks, and Pro-
fcssor itessnich n union organization
for nine weeks, throwing in four sh-
cred concerts on Sunday afternoons,
the price in each instance being $4,000.
The committee decided that the
Blues bid was the lowest. Offering
seventy-two concerts, Stein offering
sixty and Kessnich iftyeight. The
vote was IL to l. MIR. Sclph voting
against, the award on the ground that
Messrs. Blake, Melton and Seaton
We're named as a subcommittee to fix
a schedule OF parks and provide for
bandstands.
\ Ward system In Music.
\ Several members spoke in favor of
their fnvorite parks Chairman Bat
l<ins stated that While lie had no pref
crcnce as to parks he thought better
results would be obtained by picking
six parks. we'll distributed through
the city, and assigning to each It's own
night. In that case the public would
como to know the schedule, and could
expect music In a specified park on
he same night each week. If 1t is
attempted to have music in all the
parks. It would mean concert once
every two or three weeks In each,
and the schedule would be uncertain
and changeable. while the cost Of band
stands and lights would be greater
The concerts will begin the FIRST
week in June, and continue for twelve
weeks,
Contract for lockers for the First
RcSim Armory was awarded to the
Virginia school Supply Company for
s2,21o.66. that concern being the low
est of three proposals secured by Ma
jor Price y minority of the com
mittec wanted to advertise for bids
in the usual form.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
Spotter Is Dead

abJect poverty a kindly police com
missioner heard OF his sad straits and
sent him pair Of striped society trous-
ers. with waistcoat to match. Sonnie
was happy again. He found himself
a pair OF tan shoes. beaver and a
swallow tailed coat. Later came a
heavy bearskin coat. No one uues-
TONED him, and he never volunteered
Information as to where he procured
the other 6uds He was proud always,
however. 10 name the police commits
sloner who donated the society trous-
crs. lie died with these same trousers
on. They always say Of heroes that
they died With their boots on. Sonnie
mad on both boots and trousers. ana
VINO shall say that he was not n herop
lie was born black and humble He
learned how TO steal before he learned
now TO write, and he never learned 10
write The one art was sufficient nm
| III he learned that other and greater
art-that OF catching thieves.
inc sun was at the meridian yestor
uaS wren poor Sonnie breathct his last
IT'S lungs were gone, and he could not
ptealhe prayer. But maybe there is
some nope even for Sonnie Tor he saw
but feeble light, ana his guiding Star
was I'm in the distance He viii u.
missed when they lay him in Potters.
nero. Iherc Will be few who will
mourn his loss, even though thcv ri.
10" not behind his cortepn
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
new MYSTERY IN
JE VEL ROBBERY
Woman Who Returned Mrs.
Hooker's Diamonds Used limo
cent Woman Name.

Mrs. I. W. Dawson, OF Seven Pines,
yesterday morning presented herself
at the home or oscar Hooker 7O6 West
Grace street, and rather Indignantly
denied that she was the woman who
on Tuesday night returned $3.50
worth OF ieweiry stolen from Mrs.
Hooker in January and received there
for q check for $500
One glance al the real Mrs Dawson
convinced both Mr. and Mrs. Hooker
that she was not the woman who had
returned the jewelry. In appearance
the women are totally unlike Mrs.
Hooker, WHO once lived on the Seven
Pines Road, had often seen Mrs Daw-
son on the cars. and identified her.
The check for the reward, SO far as
is known has not yet been cashed at
the American National Bank, or Which
it was drawn. When the pseudo Mrs.
Dawson called at the Hooker home
Tuesday night. She made no mention
OF the reward But. as the jewelry
had been returned and a reward had
been offered for its return, neither Mr.
nor Mrs. Hooker had any hestancy in
giving check
No Help From Police.
While the Police Department has
been working on the case no effort was
made to see Mrs Dawson on Wcdnes-
day after the first publication in The
Times dispatch that day that the
jewelry had been restored TO the right
iful owners. 1t was printed that Mrs
Dawson refused to give the name of
the boy from whom she received the
property.
Had detective interviewed Rvs
Dawson he could have ascertaincd tina
she had nothing Whatever to do with
the case and the woman who mper-
sonated her might have been caught
and Identified when she endeavored to
cash the check. II is possible that the
check was cashed elsewhere than at
the bank on which II was drawn.
II Although Mrs. Hooker suspects no
one and is not inclined 10 prosecute e,
II Is 4 fact that Two crimes have been
committed-one by the thief and one
by an unidentified woman, who return
ed the diamonds.
The robbery was committed on Jan
nary 5. Mr.. Hooker reported it to tile
police. but they We're unable to render
any assistance. Then. when Mr.
Hooker was advised 10 advertise in
The Times Dispatch and oilcr a liberal
reward, the police. 1t is claimed, tried
10 persuade him not 10 do II, But he
did advertise and the police did no,
know that tire jewels had becn re-
covered until they saw 1t in The Times
Dispatch
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
Just a Little Tale of a Bunco.
Steerer Who Spread Sunshine
Net for Coin.

Consider. now for a moment, please.
the case OF MIR, Platter, OF Texas.
Well groomcd. debonnaire, apparently
wealthy. with a charm OF manner and
fun of mir,h, Mr.. Platter. Of Texas,
blew in from the Southwest and
chatted pleasantly Of the weather and
other things From a silver case,
Which was curved TO fit the pocket, he
drew forth a Handsomely engraved
card. dashed one. then another, and
20, instantly into the graces of some
tobacco manufacturers on the repre-
sentation that he was a member of the
Texas firm with which the Richmond
concern did much business.
Everybody thought Mr.. Platter was
1.-The goods; SO did Mr.. Platter this
story tells YOU how he got away with
them. lie had evidently been ia
Texas for did he not converse freely
and ntelligently Of that same firm Of
which he claimed TO be a partner? Yes
he wanted 10 see that wonderful fac
tory whose product poured into his
place and out again TO the smoking
chewing multitude. II must be said ia
tho credit Of Mr.. Platter that he liked
| tho plunt
a little lunch? Wen. come to think
! 81 IT, lie dIdnt care II he did? \ little
| Tfrvtor car trip through the town? Well
| II" mad his own motor and there was
(, no novelty connected with 1t, but while
! he was here lie might as well look
! over tho town that sent forth such
charming tobacco. And he look ed, And
| he talked OF the firm in Texas. did Mr.
| Platter whose anecdotes were fresh
| Somohow, for a stranger, MFR. Platte,
| improved as the conversation jumped
from Mexican grcaserS to higher art
las cXemplihed in the cigarette pic.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
Famous Police
Sonnie Hoy, Once a Thief, Later
Helped Officers Catch
Other Thieves.

Sonnic Hoy. famous police spy and
spotter has gone TO his reward. He
died at noon yesterday Of consumption.
There were few mourners about his
bed, and there were fewer who breathcd
a sigh over his bier. Yet Sonnie. ex-
convict though he was, had done va
liant service for the police force. He
had risked his life often for those OF :
ncers who occupied the largest favor
In his heart. lie had been a thief him
self. and he knew how to catch a thief
a term In the penitcntiary caused him
10 reform, and after his release he set
about helping to put others behind the
same white walls whence he had come
no did IT without malice. He consid :.
cred II his duty. and his black face
It was the blacklist face this side Of
Afric's golden sands-was often seen
peerlng into the doors OF the First
Police Station. He had come with III
formation concerning some evildoer.
and the officer who went with him gem
orally landed mis- man. 1t was Sopuie
who put up" Sam Tucker. the negro
who stole the Buei. jewelry. lie was
never rewarded.
In his latter days Sonnie yergcd ,,nnn
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
Mr.. Platter, Of Texas, FareweN|

lures.
Then, sad to tell, the time came when
Mr.. Platter had to say goodbye. OF
course, the manufacturers would GER
tainly hunt him UP in Texas and let
him show little similarity in the
matter of Southwest hospitality The
big hotels In New York might be all
right. but how he would miss those
court eous and delicate, attentions which
SO characterized the good people OF
this grand old State of Virginia, But
the day OF parting some time was sad,
vet there was the glorious an
ticipation of an early return. Yes,
that nice OF YOU to pass over so
many samples. oh. by the way. would
/ 1t be possible to cash Mr.. Platters
check for Il tri1e, a little thing like
5000? Why certainly, Mr.. Platter. hut
do you think that is all you Will need
Sure of It?
And so the check was cashed. 1t
was late: he would pack his luggage,
and If he had time he would call by
Oh his way TO the train TO say good
bye again. Then he passed out, did
Mr. Platter, of Texas. leaving pleasant
roc objections. Good bye Mr. Platter
good bye. and good luck old top.
And so 1t came to pass that the old
top caught his train Things dropped
! hack into the old groove. Then In the
rush OF shipping carloads Of the fine
product To the four quarters Of the
earth, there was naturally less thought
OF that good fellow who preached sun.
shine and optimism and good cheer
Out OF the rush yesterday there
came sudden jar. Mr.. Platter. OF
| Texas, got hack again into the mind
not the heart--of his warm friends. for
| 81 message sung over tho desert across
the mountains and finally into the very
! room which was made roscate with
that Platter smilc-that there was no
Mr. Platter in the Texas firm and no
funds because there was no Mr. Plat
ter. As trimmer Mr. Platter. yo,
win: you may tell the boy now to SET
| EN- UP in the other alley.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
SERGEANT WREN
BACK On FORCE
Fined 500 by Police Board on
Charge Of Being
Drunk.
MADE CLEAN CONFESSION
Officers Long Service Serves
Him Well at Bad Time.
Conway Dropped.

On his plea Of guilty to the charge
Of being intoxicated and absent from
duty, Detective Sergeant T. j. Wren
was fined 500 by the Board of Police
Commissioners last night.
In his admissions Sergeant Wren
stated that he had taken only three
drinks. and the board believed that the
detectives condition on the night he
was reported for the ofensc was due
more to lapse in caution than to in
tention. The detectives long term Of
service was also taken into considera-
ton. lie is the oldest man in point
of service and in years in the detective
department., and his work in itself was
deemed sufficient reason for his con-
tinuance in service.
Admitted II Like n Man.
1t was stated that the board desires
all branches of the force to adhere
strictly to the rules and regulations,
and that every man will be held strict
Is 10 account for his deeds. But 1t
was said. Sergeant Wren admitted all
the charges brought against him. maxi
ing no defense. and, in view of his
record in the past the board deemed a
fine sufficient punishment.
Sergeant Wren will return to his
official duties to-day. and his recent
lapse. so far as the board is concern
ed, will be as closed book.
Conway Dropped by Board.
Among other business. the board
finally settled the case of Policeman
Elect r. a. Conway. whose age was
alleged to have been more than the
limit prescribed in the regulations. He
was unable satisfactorily to prove that
his age was within the minimum. and
he was, accordingly dropped from the
rolls. II. ]. Franklin. OF Marshall Ward.
was elected in his stead.
The matter OF clecting an additional
man TO the detective department was
not preached, and other like business
scheduled to have come before this
meeting was postponed,
For Juvenile Court.
The board also took up the matter Of
operating here a Juvenile court. In a
previous meeting the board had re-
Quested an opinion from the City At
torney as TO what steps were necessary
to establish such n court here. and his
opinion. received last night was that
IT would demand legislative action.
Therefore, for the purpose of framing
the necessary bill. committee OF three
was appointed by Mayor Richard son.
eN-officio president OF the Board of Po-
lice Commissioners. to confer with a
committee Of three from the Juvenile
Protective Association. The commit :
tee from the board consists Of Com
missioners Manning, Mccarthy and
We'll.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
N. & w. EARNINGS
ReFennes Decrease, While Expense, of
Operation Grow Larger

- Operation Grow Larger.
he net income for the Norfolk and Wee,
err Railway system for the first eigh;
months OF The Ascal year from July /. 1910
70 FEBRUARY q. 1911, shows q decrease from
me corresponding period OF ss47.74I.ea. or s
Per cent according 10 q statement Issued
Yesterday by Joseph ". COKE. co,nrtrolIer
For ne month q February 1911, the nc,
income shows decrease Of IS per cent. In
The first eight months Of the year the pas
.enetF mall and express revenue was ssI3l :
e25S, freigh, s20+57.7lss2 total s.aaSs7so 70
az increase. rs compared with last wear az
ti,2l9fsso ~ But operating expenses have IN
f'eased more ranidly than the revenues ire
ioia! operating expen.e having been SIS .355.-
ia4 n an Increase q sl.S635?6.sS or Il per
sem. allowing for other income and deduct
,nG iHcd charges and taxes the net inc ono
iol tie period was 1915, 257.2? a decrease OF
f<iTIil29 or 5 per cent :
f9F ne month Of February the passenger.
ma! and EXPRESS revenues We're s3T47ss g.
freight s2lSs,5i9 81, TOTAL 5 5t5 os0is a de-
c!tase 81 Ssi.i532A. or per cen,. OPERATING
expenses amounted 10 sl7is.552s2 am iro
crease q $3.50. IS making the net income
after allowing for other ntorne. nxed
ssna!ses and taxes. siiii225, decrease Of So
r.; al OF IS Per cent ~ y II
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
MISS HELEN GOULD HERE
Comes from New York to Visit President
William EortIro, i,.'''-''1'.

Comes from New York to Visit President
William Northrcp
Miss Helen Gould. accompanied by Mrs
Shaw. OF New York arrived here last night.
and will be the guest OF her relative Wi,
liam Sorthrop. president OF the Virginia
hallway and Power Company until to-mor-
row afternoon. when she leaves for Norfolk
MISS Gould will inspect the Y. Af. c. A. OF
the Virginia Railway and Power Company.
which she founded. and probably will visit
other s!inilar institutions In the city She
also VIII make a tour OF the street railway
lines here and In Petersburg in which she
Is n large stockhoider. II there is time She
VIII 30 10 Ashland over the Richmond and
Chesapeake Bay line
Miss Gould and Mrs Shaw arc planning TO
spend two days in Norfolk on the return
trip. looking over the Naval Y. N. c. A. In
which she has taken great interest. On
Monday She Will attend meeting OF tho
woman's auxiliary OF the Naval Y NJ c. A.
They so TO New York directly from Norfolk
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
PATRONS ASSOCIATION
Movement to Help Work at John Marsha
High GcbODl

flEh school,
with seventy-fve members the Patrons
Association Of the John Marshall HIGH
school vas organized las, night Or. j A.
G. Chandler was elected president. while
other officers We're chosen as follows: Rev.
e, y. Caiisch. D. D. first vice president
Miss Lulu c. Kelly. second vice president
Mrs j. 3. Spiers, recording SECRETARY: Miss
Alice NJ. Welsh. corresponding secretary a nd
Mira. Howard NJ. Smith. treasurer
The object OF this association is to bring
the patrons or parents or guardians OF the
children OF the High School into closer touch
with v!eM OF fur,her!ng the welfare OF the
pupils
DR.. Chandler named severa! committees
They include:
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. E. r. Fuller (cha!r-
mani, James w Kimbrough and Miss Re-
becca Angel.
Miss Lulu c. Kelly Mrs. E. r. Fuller, Mrs
9. 2. Browning and Mrs. Creed Davis.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
PLAYGROUND RALLY
Many Speakers to Discuss Features of Out
door Work To-Night,

T.. r. Fuller. chairman of the Finance
Committee Of the City Council. will preside
tonight at the playground rally 10 take
place at O'Clock In the John Marshal
High School. Many persons Interested in the
work OF the Richmond branch of the Fed
era ton of Mothers Clubs, under whose
auspices the meeting Will be held have an
nounced that they will be present.
For various reasons this meeting has been
postponed from time to time, but account
of the interest displayed It IS believed that
the rally will be success
The object is TO secure more and better
Fairgrounds for the children of Richmond.
Among those who will speak VIII be c. b.
Cooke. DR.. +. NJ Reade. Councilman Don
I.cnvy chairman OF the Council Playground
Committee and Chief Of Police Werner
The report of the delegate sent by the
federation to the playground institute In
Baltimore last January Will he presented
a feature Of the rally will be musical
program
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
MEMBERSHIP UP TO 1850
:. W. G. a. Campaign closes with Good

y. w. c. A. Campaign Closes With Good
Work by Committees.
The membership campaign OF the Young
Woman's Christian Association ended yestcr-
day. and at a meeting held in the home in
Fast Franklin street Il was announced that
the organization now has 1850 members.
The campaign naugurated for the
purpose OF bringing the membership rolls
of the Y. W. G. a. to,a total Of 5000 names.
Though the goal was not reached the work
Will continue in the hands Of scvcral com
mittees which Will be named
At the final meeting REV. Walter Parker
D. D., pastor OF the Park Place Methodist
Church, addressed the workers and congrat-
u!atcd them upon their efforts. and encour-
aged them in continuing their labors to in
crease the membership OF the associa tion.
Admitted 10 Practice.
Robert w Arnold. of WaYcrly, Va. was
admitted TO practice yesterday In the United
State District Court.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
FEDERAL INDICTMENTS
stephens TO Answer Charge of Stealing Reg
isfa oft

Stephens to Answer Charge Of & enIIng Reg
istercd Letter.
The following Indictments were returned
yesterday by the Federal grand jury:
Benjamin stephens. OF Suffolk, stealing a
registered letter and contents from the post
office at Suffolk. The letter was addressed
10 Edgar T. Brownel!. at Norfolk. and for
warded to him at Suffolk. Tho indictment
contains three counts
Two true bills against Arthur Bradley,
Roger Willis Robert johnson, william
Brooks George Banks and Curtis Young
prisoners al the government workhousa at
Occonuan Prince William county, who es-
capped The second indictment. two counts.
charges them with an assault upon guard,
william +. WcnZcl.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
Court Directs Verdict

\ verdict for the defendant was instruc CT ed
ny tho court yesterday in the Gaze Of David
5. Booth against Thomas b. Hammer, which
was in progress for TWO days In the United
States Circuit Court,
The case OF the oil Well supply Company
against George L. Stone and James B.
Montgomery was argued Yesterday The
court instructed the jury 10 find for the
plaintiff. and $2,525.as, with interest from
Yesterday. was awarded.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
Political Club to Meet

Modern governmental problems will ba
discussed by speakers selected by commit
tee at the meeting OF the Clay Ward ActIves
tomorrow night. ". 7. Dabney Is chairman
OF the committee OF arrangements. and Is
getting up a program to interest the mem
bcrs OF the club. The meeting VIII be held
as usual In Monroe Hall, on Main Street near
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
NEW TRIAL REFUSED
"udse ingram Approves Verdict In Woodey

: OOQey
Damage Suit.
~, ~ me La" ana Equity Court yesterday
suuEe ingram oyerruled the motion for a
new iriai In the case OF Mrs. Ida c. Woodev
a aisa1 ne Virginia Railway and Power
I,oniPahS. me verdict brought some
time ago. and Mrs Woodey was awardad
damages OF $3.50 The motion to set aside
the verdict was on the grounds of after-dis-
covered evidence -
Attorneys Tor tho street railway COMPANY
hotci exceptions and were given thirty DAYS
af'ei the expiration of the present term of
court 10 present their bill
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
TRACE STOLEN WARE
~ ". Landr''m Charged With Receiving
Stolen iinnds

stolen Goods.
~ W l.andrnn OF south Fourth Street
OF receiving $40 worth OF stolen crocl,erv
ana tableware belonging to Mrs Alley II
nan oeen 'eportcd that the property was
east Main street. Officers Grafton and ste
phens traced II to I,andrum's home. and ar
1cs'ed MIN. He said that the crockcry and
o.ntr ware had been brought home by Two
Smalt chiinren. and that he would make an
investigation.
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
BROKE LEG IN FALL.
David simpson DIdn,l Know Mt First lie wns

Simpson Dunn know nj First HE Wns
Injured.
Falling down the stairs from tho nrs, 1oor
into the basement OF the Travellers Ins,lr-
ance building, now In course of erection on
East Main Street. David simpson slate con-
tractor, OF e1I6 Floyd Avenue, broke his left
leg in two places yesterday afternoon He
was treated by Or. thurman, OF the city am
hulance corps. and was then taken to the
Virginia Hospital.
simpson. when lie had rolled to the bot
tom OF the stairway. didn't know that his
leg was broken When he attempted. how
ever TO take his shoe OFF he found that hot h
bones just above the ankle were fractured
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
COAL COMPANY FORMED
Richmond Capital Engaged in Mining in

Alabama.
WIN an authorized maximum capital s,oc,,
OF SIgDcG and minimum OF $40 90 IN.
ErTan Coal CORPORATION. with principal 81
fec n Richmond. was chartetcd Yesterday
BY the state Corporation Commission 40.
eordinE 10 the PAPERS or incorporation II Is
the Intention % this concern 10 buy sell
operate and do ,arious other things Win
coal and oil properties n the State or Ala
baIna.
The usual restrictions as TO Inc holainr
81 1900 ACRES are placed on the company
The stare secured & Zee of $50.
Officers are as follows: Frank Nelson IL
Burning nam Ma. president: Thomas 3
Eco'i, Richmond vce-president caorge
Cole Sco't Richmond. secretary ana traae
uror- The directors arc the officers and
games II, Dooley, Fred " Scot. and John =
Branch. Of ;his city
The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-07
To Sink Another shaft

Plans arc now being made by the operating
company OF the Clayton Coal Mines, Henrico
county 10 sink another shaft. I; is hoped to
find q natural coke deposit, which, II is be-
leved. abounds in that vicinity. II Will take
more than a year to complete the shaft
This will give two shafts in actual operation
though there are several which were aban-
doned time ago.