The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-31
ALsxANRRia E:fAlRs.
Hoping for the Fire Departments In
creased Efiiciency-A Land Boom.

Hoping Tor the Fire Departments In
creased Eficiency-A Land Boom.
ALEXANDRIA, VA. January 30 Spe-
.Ial. An illustrative working plant Of the
6amcweli ere alarm signal appafatns is on
exhibition in the Council Chamber here,
the agent Believing he can put up plant
here - siie complete satisfaction Of the city
Finance Committee and citizens as well.
The workings OF the apparatus were ex-
planned at the last meeting Of the boards.
though no action was taken, the electric
light matter moi having been thoroughly
wound up as yet
II is hoped that Alexandria viii have
something OF this sort. and the council will
be asked 20 consider the matter at its ear
liesi possible convenience. The fire depart
ment here is volunteer. and its apparatus
consists Of twn rrgine companies and a
truck COMPANY. al Of which are drawn by
two horses each, the reels Of each engine
being drawn by the companies men under
five year enlistment.
The streets here are neatly paved with
bOuldors and such like bio stones. with ruts
on many squares, The engine houses are
situated very like the three ends Of tri-
angle. and about three blocks apart, and
each has bell which is required 10 be rung:
the ward i'm which the fire is thought 10 be
designated. hy one two, three or four strokes
first The main ide Of the firemen is TO get
their machine there first, and they make
the horses come in for an excuse for not ring
ng the bell until they get started.
There il considerable rivalry between the
engine companies and frequently a CHM
ney on fire or false alarm means a water
battle. The bells are rung "seyeral ways
for sunday and frequently the machines
run i'm opposite ways Yet the roundup
comes later. and one company ieer5 on
cheers the other, etc. Nearly a month in
the year one Of the engines is on the stocks
or one of the horses Is ,spralned, ana quiet
volunteer fremen who live down near Jones
Point get provoked at running 20 Poriners
Brewery or shutters Hill for a chimney on
fire or the like,
A fire alarm signal service would save
needless amount OF injuries 10 the machines.
and an alarm now brings on many cases OF
Ia grippe and doctors bills.
DR.. Henderson Suter, Of Christ Church.
has been requested 20 act ne secretary and
treasurer Of the Episcopal Education So
ciety. and Colonel Arthur Herbert as treas
urer of the seminary fund. These positions
the late Cassius f. Lee long held.
Lately there has been a decided increase
i'm the county land boom, and not day
passes that there isn't some stranger here
looking over sites for manufacturing pur-
poses. The Isaac Harter Company, mill
ing concern of F0stOria. Ohio, have been
thinking of negotiating for the Old Pioneer
mills property. They would require thai
property and the old cooper-shop building
given them and exemption from taxation.
etc. They would in return start ont VIII
an expenditure Of SljO,0OJ. The matter Is
now being considered by both the merchants
here and the Ohioans.
MrJ. y. Hamilton, foreman Of the Mid
land shops. has been presented with silver
tea service by wOrkmen and clerks OF the
road stationed here. Mr.. Hamilton, who
has resigned TO accept position IN the
North. is held in the highest esteem by the
railroad people here.
The old barn Of Tobias Lears, that was
erected by General Washington, when the
former was his secretary, Is being demOi-
ished. 10 is ON the Wellington estate, a
few miles below here.
Mr.. Simon Genzberger, formerly Of this
CITY. but now Of Nandalia, Mo. who has
has been visiting his parents here, left iof
the West to-day, his sister, Miss Hannah.
accompanying him.
John. the siXtecn-year son Of City Treas
urer Harlow, lies at the point Of death to-
night. His illness is cercbro spinal menin-
gifts, from grippe.
A delegation healed by Mr.. Lewis Nc
Kenze. called on Census Superintendent
Porter, to-day, urging George {. Round, of
Prince William. fer supervisor Of census in
this district. General Malone is urging "a
Harris0nburg man, and Mr.. Mckenzie be-
ing a personal friend Of superintendent Por-
ter, the outcor4c is watched with interest.
Judge Norton to-day chartered the >ecur-
ity Investment Company, to deal in real es-
tate in Washington and hereabouts. Napl-
tai $4,000 The incOrp0rators are all Wash
ingtOnians.