Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-11-19
LOCAL ITEMS.

end OF The Capitol last night the contractors
III charge OF the street gradings were notified
10 DC prepared tor the event, with all the ne
ccSSlry implements, aud when the hour ar
rived to accomplish their work with the least
possible delay.
by request OF the board a strong detail Of
police were on hand to maintain order if their
services were required
The contractors notified their men that they
would require them for nights work, aud
they were accordingly rendezvoused- hun
dred and fifty at the corner of North Capitol
and Is streets, and fifty just in the rear of
Gait $ teed-house, on Indiana avenue.
About 1:43, one gang, headed by man
bearing red lantern, marched down the hill
To First street, about every other one armed
with u pick, sledge or crow bar.
In the meantime, the other crowd had
crossed Indiana avenue, and, after consulta-
tou it was agreed that they should 60 to work
just at the corner of First street, and the other
party should take Maryland avenue Before,
however, they had got to work the Southern
tram, connecting with the $50 train North
came up the track and necessitated delay
during which time the men retreated.
The Washington Republican says fully half
an hour was lost in waiting for the track to be
cleared, which was finally accomplished, and at
$40 clock Contractor Smith put his gang Of
men at work, starting at the intersection of
First street and Indiana avenue. The men
worked with will, but the track was closely
kuit together, and considerable trouble was ex-
perlenced IN tearing 1t up, but the laborers
were not discouraged, and by dint of persever-
ance they made fair progress, for soon break
was made and gradually, but surely, rail after
rail was elevated and the old track removed
At 10 O'Clock II was apparent that no inter
ference would be made with the operations of
the contractor, aud Lieut. Kelly directed his
reserve force to return to the station.
Mr.. Geo. S. koontz put in an appearance
on the scene about $50 p. H. and inquired
for the superintendent of the work, but failed
to receive any response to the inquiry, after
which he quietly remarked that he could
take ten men and relay the track in less time
than it took the gang to pull it up. The con-
tractor replied that the men were only learning
but by the time they flushed that job he
thought they would be posted enough to
build railroad.
On Maryland avenue the men were divided
into three gangs, one at the corner OF First
street. and the other two on either side OF
-Four and "a half street. After the engine had
PASSED back man was stationed with signal
lantern at the corner Of Sixth street. and
moment later simultaneous attack was made
on the rails, the first one raised being on
the west side of Four and a. half street, which
was followed in quick succession by those on
other portions of the road. The men worked
quietly and surely, but the job was not an easy
one by any means. Tlmbers were used as
levers, bars, and sledges, and picks were
brought into requisition, and piled as they
were by the strong arms of the willing laborers
made even the deeply imbedded ties and the
strongly secured rails give way.
During the evening quite number OF pas
scrs by were attracted by the unusual number
and noise, and remained as spectators for
lew moments, but as 40 interference was
shown by the railroad men it became monoto-
nous and they left
About midnight the men had got the
hang of the work pretty we'll and it was
expected that by this morning the cutire length
of the track would be completely torn up.
The locomotive that carried the through pas
scngers from Lynchburg to Washington last
night returned here, but the train to which 1t
was attached was caught on the other side OF
the destroyed track, and will either have to get
back here via Winchester or the B. Il. 7. H.
H. The passengers that went through tins:
morning from Lynchburg were carried from
the 9th street depot to the B. & y. depot III om-
nibusSes and the train that took them to w ash
ington received the through passengers from
New York by the same conveyanccs, and
brought them on to this city, but the departure
Of the train on the O., A. 4 NJ. Il. Il. was
delayed about an hour by the interruption. The
cattle that arrived here last night went on
through via the B Il p R. r., but no ar
rangelncnt has been made this morning tor the
through transportation of other sorts OF freight.
The officials of the B. & O., the B. II +. aud
the O., A. & NJ railroads were 10 consultation
in Washington to-day, and it Is supposed that
arrangements for the through transportation OF
both freight and passengers, without delay,wu
be determined upon speedily.
CHRIST CHURCH. correspondent OF the
Washington Chronicle givesa notice OF Sunday
in Alexandria, and of Christ Church, from
which the following extracts are taken:
This morning the pulpit was filled by Or.
Walker. of the Theological Seminary, VINO
preached an excellent sermon. The Doctor, is
:, clear talker and reasoner, and while rather
long is always interesting.
In this connection your readers may not o.
icct to hearing something about ''Old Chrisi
Church" This is one of the oldest Episcopal
churches in the United States, being built long
before the Revolution, with bricks brought
from England. 1t is built IN the substantial u
manner tnat once WAS TIC iuio pu' 10 ""
cxceptiop, and the walls to-day are as sue
slantial and finn, as the day when first erected.
The northern side is covered with ivy, which,
FIR more than a century, has cluug to the
house of God as man should cling to a gracious
saviour 1t is In otsituated on Washington
Cameron and Columbus streets, taking
u up half square Of ground The CT Church
j. in the northwest corner OF the lou
on Cameron and Columbus streets, and fronts
south The vestry room is in the western end
under the belfry, and the pulpit (more proper ,e
" cbaneeI, for the old pulpit is thing OF the :
past) is in the eastern end. On either slae os OF
the chancel are two tablets, erected IN memory
of two distinguished citizens OF virginia auu
once vestrymeu of this old church. men ,r hno,
in public life, were above suspieon' anu WIZ vn
Christian faith was as beautiful as 10 was of
osteDtatious mean George Nasnins ILL., no. W
,soh ic