Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-05


THE STRANGE DEATH OF GEORGE AND NANCY
MASON
AS published In yesterdays STAR, George and
Nancy Mason, an aged colored couple were
found dead at their house in the county yester-
day afternoon by Officer T. J. Anderson. Coro-
ner Patterson deemed an inquest unnecessary
and gave certificate of death from exposure
George and his wife were each about ninety
years old, and owned the house in which they
lived, which Is a one-stOry frame house, situated
In the county, between Sd and 4th, PomerOy
and Trumbull streets. Yesterday morning the
nelghbors became somewhat alarmed, as there
were no footprints in the snow, leading to or
from the mousse, and no smoke could be seen
coming from the chimney. AS nothing was seen
OF the couple during the morning Officer
Anderson broke open the front door. Lying on
the floor in the front room, near the door. was
found the body of the old man. His upturned
face was calm and smiling. The officer then
proceeded to the next room, where he
found the back door open about three
inches and the old lady was sitting In a
she had evidently sat down TO warm and rest
herself. Her hands were folded i'm her Ian and
she was leaning back in the chair, as one en-
joying the comforts afforded by a red hot stove.
Her feet were on the stove hearth and her dress
drawn nearly up to her knees. Both bodies
frame shanty. All the necessaries of life in
Guiding groceries, fuel and an abundance of bed
clothing were found in the house The front
room was carpeted and furnished very com
fortaSly, a large feather bed covered with sew
efai spreads and blankets occupying portion
OF the room.
The last seen of the old couple was on Tues
Gay evening, when the old woman went to
the old man to take care of the house The old
man, who was inclined to be foolish and playful
mad evidently been playing leap-frog, as all the
cnairs in the house We're upturDed and the stove
pipe lying On the floor. From the fact that the
groceries purchased on Tuesday evening by
the old lady had not been used, ii is supposed
they must have died during the early part of
Tuesday night. The bodies have been taken in
charge by society OF which the old lady was a
Ssd tnr Inl
MARRIAGE LICENSES. - Marriage licenses
nave been issued by the clerk of the court to
solomon Scott of New York city, and Farda
kauimann; C.. X. Ecklof and Carrie C. Field:
Ihaddeus l. Vanderpooi and Carrie f. Gas,
roy and Theodosa Ashe; James ID. Stoner of
b Baltimore more and Emma Francis Hoffman: James
VI; +. knesse and Mary Jordan.
SERIOUSLY ILL.-Mr. s. v. Noyes, doorkeeper
attack yesterday of the illness under which he
mas been suffering, but was somewhat easier
this morning.
HE JAHRMARKT.-Large crowds are at
tracted every evening to the Jahrmarkt at the
W a ,bn Light Infantry armory regardless
was In attendance last night. Tonight the
Societe Franchise will be present in a body.
night also and will form a very interesting
| spectacle. The dancing ut the end OF every
4 S'ShihS much enjoyed ana much admired
py spectators as the gay peasant costumes of
the ladies, as well as of the band, lend novel
enchantment to the waltz. The low prices of
al articles and the tact that soliciting is
zone are much approved features OF this lair
On saturday there will be matinee for Chill.
\ week. " AAS~'
| CALIFORNIA WINE AND RAIsINs.-A meet
| ing Oh grape growers and wine makers at Will
1 iaro haii last evening was called to order bv
senator stanford, who, after naming Represent
| tauve Greene, OF North Carolina, as vice presi-
ueht, ana II. j. MOhan, secretary of the meet
| Ing spoke OF the effort To advance the culture
OF the grape in the United States Mr. Orn-
aori, OF California, read a paperon wine culture
IN THIS and European countries. Charles A
| Wetmore, commissioner OF viticulture for the
San Francisco district, said that what is desired
| Of Congress is stringent legislation to have all
wine manufactured here labeled, that every
| bottle shall contain what the label purports
and that no adulterated wine shall pass as the
| pure article. Representative Greene also
4 spoke. Samples of grapes raised in California
| ana the native wines and brandies were ex-
| hibited and sampled.
A SUIT FOR DIvORCE.-Edella Burdetta has
| filed bill against John w. Burdetta for a di-
vorce.