Evening star., 1895-06-07
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
The Captain of the Chain Gang Dis
missed.
Charged That He Allowed Prisoners
to Buy Their Way Out-Other
Local Notes.

There was some little excitement after
the close OF the police court this morning,
when Mayor Strauss had before him VIM.
II. Travers. captain of the chain gang,
charged with allowing prisoners to escape
and to visit their homes at will. The first
witness examined was a negro named VIM.
Day, who was serving a term for murder
ous assault on a Chinaman, whom Travers
had allowed to go home Saturday night.
Day testified that Travers said II the
"boys' would hurry up and clean the
market square he would let some of them
20 homS.
did you promise to pay him for this
privilege?" asked the mayor.
Yes, sir. 1 promised him $50. Why,
could get away from the gang whenever
I wanted to, for Mr.. Travers often goes to
sleep and tells US to watch out for Bees
Dobie. the superintendent of police"
Noble Smith testified that negro named
Dudley, who worked for him and had been
released about two weeks ahead of his time
on promising to pay Travers $3.50, and
that Dudley had paid Travers so cents on
account, but was stopped from further pay
ment by himself Smith. Dudley corrob-
GRATED what Smith said. Travers was next
heard and tried to shift the responsibility
on the mayor. and said: why, you told
me on Saturday to let the black -
he dismissed Travers from the position very
summarily. telling him at the same time
that he Uravers) was swearing to an un-
truth.
Col. SmOOt Serenaded.
About forty members of the Columbia
Fire Company, headed by the Friendship
Drum Corps, marched to the residence of
Col. VIM. A. Smoot last night and seranaded
him in lively manner. Col. Smoot is pres
Of ba .
serenade was given in honor of his having
been elected grand commander of the Con-
federate Veterans of Virginia, at the meet
ing in Charlottesville. Col Smoot was
taken by surprise, but in his usual happy
manner made a neat little speech, thank
ing the boys for the compliment.
Ran Away From Home.
The police have been requested to arrest
Charles King. a small colored boy. twelve
years of age nearly white. who ran away
from his home in Fredericksburg several
days ago. and to hold him for his mother.
No trace has been found of him.
Charter Granted.
Judge Norton granted a charter yester-
day to the Citizens Traction Company.
The object of the company is to buy and
cell real estate patents, etc. The stock is
to be s1.000,000. Mr.. Thomas l.. Waters is
agent for the city. Mr.. j. H. Ingram of
New York is president.
General and Personal Notes.
There wa but one case for trial in the
police court this morning-James Davis,
charged with ASSAULT on Ida Wingfeld;
fined $50.
Samuel T. Parks was this morning sworn
in a special officer at the Washington
Southern depot in place of C. E. Kimball,
resigned. Parks will do night duty.
There will be a meeting of the Relief
Hook and Ladder Company tonight at S
O'clock
Alexandria Council. National Union, held
a regular meeting last night.
The building committee of the NJ. E.
Church held a meeting last night
The members of the Young Peoples
Union of the Second Presbyterian Church
met last night at the residence of Mrs
Pierson, in Fairfax county, near this city.
The remains of the negro tramp killed
near this city yesterday. were inferred in
Penny Hill cemetery yesterday afternoon.
The regular monthly meeting of the city
school board was held last night. Routine
business was transacted.