Evening star., 1896-08-07
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Why a Young Man is Suspected Of Being
q Fire Bug.
Report Of the Jail Inspectors-Com-
pleting Arrangements for the
Emancipation Celebration.

J. I. Beckhsm. jr.. was given an exam
ination before Mayor Thompson in the po-
Nee court last night for an alleged attempt
TO set fire to an unoccupied house on upper
Prince street on Wednesday night last.
About half-past II o'clock Wednesday night
William Wood, engineer of the Columbia
fire engine, went to the station house and
informed Lieut.. Smith that Beckham had
left the engine house with a five-gallon
can OF coal oil and a lot OF waste, and
that he thought that 1t was Beckham' s
intention to set fire to a house on upper
Prince street. The lieutenant, accompanied
by Officer James Hall, Immediately proceed
ed to the house in question and secreted
themselves. Shortly after their arrival they
saw Beckham come up Prince street, enter
the house by going down into tine cellar
and strike match. In few seconds
Beckham came out again and wen. down
Prince street. About ten minutes later
they saw Beckham coming again up Prince
street, and again he stopped at the house
and lit several matches. as if he were
looking for something. He then went in a
westerly direction, and the officers saw
him go to his home.
The officers then proceeded to the house
in question and made a thorough examina-
ton of the premises, but no signs Of any
kind could be found that an attempt had
been made to set the house on fire. Several
above. Mr.. Beckham, in his own behalf.
stated that he had been at Riverside Park
Wednesday evening, and that while there
had INDUCED too freely of the intoxicating
bowl, and that he did not remember any
thing that happened after he reached Alex
andria from the park. After hearing all
the evidence Mayor Thompson dismissed
the case, exonerating Mr.. Beckham from
the charge brought against him.
The Emancipation Celebration.
John M. Langston has written to Magnus
L. Robinson of this city accepting an in
vita ton to attend the thirty-third anniver-
sary Of the emancipation proclamation in
this city the I'D of September next.
The following additional invitations were
yesterday sent to organizations to take
part in the parade: Laboring Mems Union
Capt. Henry Willis; Benevolent Associa-
ton, George w. Holiday, marshal: Indus
trial Guards, Capt. Albert Green; Young
Mems Zous YES, Capt. Andrew Jackson
Sons of Zion of this city, Gum Springs
Farmers. Falls Church Tournament Sem
mary Hill and Prince Georges County
Farmers.
Jail InspectOrs' Report Filed.
DR.. Purvis and Messrs Moore and Boothe
yesterday filed their quarterly report OF
their inspection Of the city jail. The re-
port shows that there are at present twen-
ty-nine prisoners in Jail, five white men,
tWenty-one colored men and three colored
females. They recommend that fire plug
be erected near the st. .Asaph street en-
trance, and that $50 feet of hose he pro-
Vtded; also some repairs to the roof and
cornice of the building. The general COR
d1tion of the Jail is reported as being ex-
cellent.
Arrested and Fined for Abusing an
Officer.
Harry jackson, colored fireman on the
Southern railroad, was arrested at the
Southern railway station in this city YES
terday by Officer Beach. Jackson was
standing on the platform of the station
curslng and abusing things generally, par
ucularly the police. When advised by
friend to stop or he would be arrested he
exclaimed that mo -- cop could arrest
him." Mayor Thompson this morning fined
him s., which he paid.
Police Court.
Mayor Thompson this morning disposed
of the following cases: Henry jackson, COL
ored. arrested by Officer Beach, charge
disorderly conduct and abusive language
toward an officer; fined So Martha John
son. colored, arrested by Officer Ferguson,
charge di5orderly conduct; dismissed for
want of evidence. At special session OF
court, held last night at o'clock. the case
Of j. F. Beckham, jr., charged with an at
tempt to set vacant house on fire was
dismissed as it was plainly shown that no
attempt whatever had been made.
Notes.
During the absence of Mr.. H. H. Young,
clerk Of the Alexandria county court, Mr.
Brooke D. Young. the deputy clerk, will
lcok after the business of the office.
Yesterday was the hottest day of the
season in this city, the thermometer regis
tcring 100 to 105 degrees in the shade
Mr.. A. w. Armstrong, trustee, has sold
house and lot on the east side of Patrick
street between Duke and Wolfe streets 10
Mr.. Joseph Broders
The regular monthly meeting of the city
school board was held last night. Only
ret tine business was transacted.
Messrs. Lewis c. Bailey and S. G. Brent
left yesterday evening for Sweet Springs
to join their families.
DR.. Hamilton Howard, who was thrown
from his buggy in Fairfax county on Sun
day night last and quite seriously hurt,
improves but slowly.