Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-01-26
ALEXANDRIA,

BURNED To DEATH WITH HIS CHICKENS.
The burning of frame cabin on Duke street
near the stone bridge called out the fremen
under the tenth ward alarm at 2:3O this morn
ing, but the flames had enveloped the cabin
and burned colored man named VIM.
Holmes to death before assistance could be
rendered. Holmes was an old man, and hav-
ing some time ago procured a small lot near
the junction of Duke street with Peyton and
'Cotifnetcs avenues. on the west edge of the
city, he lived whilo there in a large dry
goods box, which by the addition of other
boxes he afterward enlarged to an eight by
ten shanty. There he lived and used the lot to
cultivate celery and raise fowls for market, to
which he carried each day a basket Of
celery, eggs, &C., for sale. This lame, bent
form was familiar figure on King street in
the early gray of the morning. He did not
trust his chickens to the chances Of the night
hawks. but gathered his fowls each night into
his cabin, making that his chicken coop. His
cabin was securely fastened. The stove or
lamp, no one knows which, set the place on
fire. and when the flames made their appear
| ance outside the interior had become furnace,
cremating the old man, and when the fire was
over he was found charred corpse, surrounded
by roasted chickens. The remains were car
ried to Demaines undertaking establishm ent
and the coroner, after an examination, thought
an inquest unnecessary.
THE RAILROAD COMPROMISE.
The city council and the board Of trade are
now coming to an understanding with the au-
thorities OF the Washington Southern Railroad
Company and very great improvements in the
streets In Its vicinity are promised. 1t is said
that now for the first time, are the city author
tiles in communication with the chiefs of the
railway, who have power, and that the reason
of the failure of former negotiations has been
the fact that local railway managers were con-
suited and that they. with every good will,
were powerless to make changes. 1t seems now
| that the illegal occupation of Henry street.
| which has been talked against SO long, but not
interfered with at all since Mayor Beckham
| with his posse was stopped by injunction from
tirmed on condition that certain street
improvements shall be made by the Washing
ton Southern Railroad Company and more lib
crafty shown III the matter of local tickets be-
tween this city and Washington. 1t is the gen.
| eral sentiment here that if this right Of way is
| to be granted the compensation should be
| something Of continuous benefit to the city
and that the right Of way should stop when the
payment stops.
FUNERAL OF Nh. sTRUDER.
The funeral Of Mr.. George Struder. the well
known well digger, took place yesterday after
noon from st. Mary's Church and was attended
by many friends. Mr.. Struder was an old citizen
and much esteemed as q faithful workman and
honest man.
A WASHINGTON MINISTER.
Rev. George Bowman of Washington filled
the pulpit of the Washington Street Baptist
Church here yesterday.
TO VISIT aEoRaKTowx.
Potomac Lodge, 10. o. F. of this city will make
visit to Georgetown next Thursday night and
will be the guests Of Covenant Lodge ct An
evening meeting.