Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-08-28
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
Branch of the Standard Oil Oompany's
Works Went Up in Flames
Firemen Had Great Difficulty In Saw
ing Adjoining Property-Other
Interesting Items.

This city was visited again this morning
by another disastrous conflagration. This
time the Alexandria branch of the Stand
ard Oil Company went up in flames, with
a loss of $4,000, with no insurance on the
plant. Shortly before 8 o'clock an alarm
was turned in to the telephone office, but
owing to the fact, 1t is said, that the
horses of one of the engines were out being
exercised and the wheels Of the other were
off and she was being creased, the engines
did not arrive at the fire for some min
utes, and the flames had gained consider
able Roadway. When they did get to work
they fought manfully, and soon had the
flames confined to the burning building, and
it took several hours to put them out.
In close proximity to the burning build
ing, which contained about 100 barrels of
OIL all Of which caught, was the Alexandria
gas works, on which a stream Of water had
to be poured all the time to prevent the
heat from cracking the tanks. About 100
feet off were three large tanks of oil con-
tanning $500 gallons each. and the flames
were kept from them by hard work.
The fire started in the cooper shop and
spread rapidly. About one dozen barrels
Of gasoline were saved; The origin Of the
of the colored employees was mixing some
paint in the cooper shop and went off and
left it for a few minutes. When he re-
turned the building was in flames, and he
telephoned that fact to the central Office
and it was quickly sent in to the engine
houses. Mr.. ]. H. McFadden, the city
manager, was not at the works at the
time the fire started.
The volunteer fire department worked
manfully and deserve great deal of credit
for the persistency with which they fought
the flames and confined them to the burn
ing building. The smoke from the fire
could be seen all over the city.
Real Estate Transfers.
The following real estate transfers were
recorded in the clerk of the courts office
yesterday: K. Kemper, special commits
sioner in the suit of Annie Henderson VS..
Virginia Henderson, to Charles E. Church
man, jr, lot of ground on the north side
of Duke street, between Alfred and Pat
rick streets; IS and other valuable con-
sideration. Charles E. Churchman, jr., to
William Desmond, the same property, for
$3.50.
Police Court.
Justice Thompson presided in the police
court this morning and disposed of the fol-
lowing cases: VIM. Bryant, charged with
disorderly conduct fined 81; Louisa Herb
ner. charged with profane Language, dis
missed; Martha Lewis and Jas. Lucas, dis
orderly conduct and fighting, fined S. each;
Edna Dudley, charged with fighting, dis
missed; VIM. Dudley, disorderly and fight
ing fined IS; Bentley Banks, suspicious
character, held for further examination;
William. Bryant colored, assault on Clara
Carter, fined 81.
Sam Dudley, a young colored man, was
before Justice Thompson in the police
court this morning charged with stealing
hide from a car on the Washington
Southern railway several days ago. He Of
fered to sell it to c. C. Smoot Sons, but
they, suspecting something wrong, tele-
phoned the station house, but the boy
caught on and skipped. He was arrested,
however and fined 5000 or four months in
Jail.
Old Virginia Battle Flag.
Capt. K. Kemper and Mr.. Albert Uhler
of the Old Dominion Commandery, who
left here Monday morning for Boston, took
with them the old flag of Virginia, under
which the Alexandria Light Infantry have
won so many victories. This flag was
taken at the request of st. Georges Com
mandery of Beverly, Mass, who wish that
the flags of Massachusetts and the old COM
monwealth should be among the decora-
items of the reception which they will give
Old Dominion Commandery.
Notes.
The Virginia glass works will resume OPP
erations on Monday.
Mr.. Louis Echberg has gone to Atlantic
City.
Mayor John G. Beckham has returned to
the city.
A branch Of the Calvert Building and
Loan Association of Baltimore has been
organized in this city.
There will be prize Waiting contest at
Riverside Park Friday night.
Alexandria Council, Royal Arcanum, con-
ferred the degrees of the order on several
candidates last night.
Ex-MayQr and Mrs. Henry Strauss have
returned from the White Sulphur Springs.