Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-08
ALEXANDRIA.
A VERDICT OF CRIMINAL NEGLIaENe

VERDICT OF CRIMINAL. NEGLIGENCE.
The remains of Miss Dove, who was drowned
on July 4 by falling from the wharf after
landing from the steamer George Leary, were,
as stated in The STAR, found afioat yesterday
and were carried by the direction of her father
to "Wheatleys," but by the direction of the
coroner was carried to ''Demaines," where the
inquest was held by jury consisting of Messrs.
J. II. Beckham, G. A. Appich, A. L. Ramsey,
Harry SmoOt. James McCuen and D. W. Zeisse
Mr.. G. Stout testified that he came off the boat
with Miss Dove, but the crowd was
came separated from her. but hearing her
cry as she fell over he leaped in after her
Other witnesses testified as to the efforts made
to save her. and the jury adjourned to inspect
the wharf where the drowning occurred. and
RESUMED its session last night Mr.. Thomas
Sonthard testified that he found the body
afloat on the east side of the channel about
two-thirds OF the way between the mouth
of Hunting creek and Motley Hall. Silas
Dixon, the colored wharf keeper testified that
his business was to attend to the Norfolk boats
open the shed doors SO as to permit q passag
way in the middle of the wharf, show light, &c
He did this for all boats when the captains
notified him beforehand that they were going
to land at the wharf, but not otherwise
His regular business was with the
July he was notified by the Manchester and the
Pentz that they would land, but he had no no
tice from the George Leary and was not there
when she landed. 1t was his custom to set out
when boats came at night a small common
light, but nothing else He knows of no light
OH the wharf when the George Leary landed on
the night of the Fourth of July. Has been &C.
customed when he opened the shed doors at
night for transient boats to receive SO cents for
his extra work.
Mr. VIM. Wattles, clerk Of the wharf agent
testified that the custom was to open the shed
OF nj ~ nnl la 20 m
such transient boats gave notice. The Leary
had been landing at the wharf since the 9th of
June.
THE VERDICT.
The jurors were over an hour in making up
their verdict and found that the deceased came
to her death by criminal negligence on the
part of the steamer ana wharf owners ir not
using proper precaution for the public safety.
They found that the shed door was closed and
no light displayed from either boat or wharf,
passengers being compelled to leave the wharf
by very narrow and dangerous passage
way on the edge of the building.
Attorneys S. G. Brent and George Mushbac h
attended the inquest. the former on behalf of
the owners Of the steamer. &C., and the latter
on behalf of Miss Doves father, who proposes
to bring suitfor damages. The verdict Of the
jury will be communicated to the common
wealths attorney. Undertaken Wheatley has
prepared Miss Doves body for sepulchre and
she Will De buried today.
A UNIVERSITY HONOR.
The University of Virginia has granted to
Cadet Ernest G. Mock of st. Johns Academy its
certificate of proficiency. his case having been
left undecided at the first university examine
ton. Cadet Mock resides in Georgetown and
the certificate has been sent to him there.
PUMPS AND WATER.
A new we'll and pump has been placed on the
corner of Queen and Payne streets which
furnishes sweet water similar to that which
the old diagonal pumps supplied the water
carts that supplied the town in other days.
The water of pumps III the thickly settled
parts of the town was long ago polluted by the
adjacent waste wells and have all been aban-
doned but nothing can exceed in purity and
freshness the Mount Cameron water supply.
NOTES.
At the United States court here James
Tho mas has been acquitted on the charge of
selling liquor in Northumberland county with
out United States license.
The new market shed which Contractor
Winston will put up in few weeks will be
covered with iron instead Of wood, as origi-
nally proposed.
The Hebrew congregation of this city has
elected Mr.. /. Schwartz president.