The morning times., 1896-08-07
THOUGHT HE WASkFIREBU
Alexandrians Excited by the Arrest
Of j. 7. Beckhanl ... =.
Prepar rat Ions for an Elaborate Eman-
cipation Celebration-Nume
Notes and Personals.
A sensation was caused yesterday by the

A sensation was caused yesterday by the
arrestor J. T Beckham jr., wellkDown
young man, on the serious charge OF having
attempted 10 set fire to a twO-story frame
house ON the nor III side or Carneron street,
near the corner OF Alfred, ~. ,,tl.. -
Beckhan has been drinking heavily, and
near midnight, on Wednesday,, ii is Urged
went into the Columbia enginehouse and
took a nve-gailOn can OF Goa vi and started
up Prince street. Engineer WCod saw Linz
leave the house, anu ar,er following him
for stort distance, rec covered tie can and
carried IL back 10 the eDeiEchoUse. Mr..
Wood went immediately and Ieported tie
facts to the police, and also reported that
BeckhaIn hau said lie ibtendcu 10 set fire
to the vacant house on Cameron street
Lieut.. smith and OtIicer Hall went to
the locality named and secrcted themselves
Oh the opposite side Of the. street in view
or the building. IL was only short time
before the young man made ms appear mte.
He staggered toward the building and
after taking off his shoes descended into
the cellar OF the house, where he remained
for a short time and struck several matches.
He then came out and went away, but re-
turned in a short time and struck several
matches in attempting to find his shoes.
He was allowed To go to his hoine without
the knowledge that his movements had
been observed by the officers The off
GERS then made an examination Of the prem
ises, but failed 10 fiud ahy evidences or an
attempt to fire the building except the
burnt match stems.
The Young man was taken tefure the
Mayor last night, and number OF wit
nesses testified to the circumstances as
above stated. After consultation with
CoGIEonwealth's Attorney Brent the mayor
hsa tn-ff mi
niand to the accused. The only statement
by the prisoner was that hc-was drunk at
the time, and could give no account OF his
movements on Wednesday night.
Harry Jackson, oO,ored IIreoian of the
Southern Railway Company, abused Offi-
Ger Beach near the Gepot yesterday aLi
was arrested.
The congregation of the n. E. Church,
South. has decided TO posip pone the con-
struc;ion OF IL new church building until
September. II was intended 10 begin the
work this month.
Peter Lucas. coiored, was fined 81 in tfle
police court yesterday for assau ling
William Eppes. George Nugent and Tai
kers Tale, cOlored. for, keeping unlicensed
dogs were fined 81 each and required to
lake out a license. -'.'T-.
Magnus L. Robinson. chairman OF the
committee, has received a letter from
John NJ Langston. accepting the invita-
lion 10 be present at the tirty-third auni-
versary OF the emancipation proclamation
which will be beid in this city September
22. Invitations have been extended TO
the following organizations To participate
In the celebration: Laboring Mems Union,
Capt. Henry Willis; Benevolent Associa-.
ton. George W. Holiday. marshal: Industrial
Guards, Capt Albert Green: Young Mems
Zouavrs. Capt. Andrew johnson, and Sons
or Zion, all OF this city: Gum Springs
Farmers. Falls Church Tournament Club.
and Seminary Hill Club The affair prom
iSes 10 be the greatest ever held by the
colored people OF this section of the
country After the parade addresses will
D" dehvered by We h-known colored
speakers.
Ex-Mayor Strauss has gone to Chariottes-
vile 10 visit his daughter.
Policemen Sherwood and Davis are tax
ing their vacations.
Mrs. II. E. Foster. of Washington. ia
visiting friends in Alexandria
Mr. s. s. Hopkins has gone to Oxford,
Nd. to spend week.
Miss Katie Jasper has gone to Fauquier
county for two weeks
Mrs. Annie NJ. Johnston left On Wednes.
iay for Berkeley Springs, W. Va.
Mrs. W. ID. Grillbortzer and daughter
have gone TO Charlottesville for the re-
nainder OF the sum mer
Mr.. s. q. Brent has Joined his family at
5 Swect Springs, W. Va.
Miss Nellie Watties and, Misses BRYANT J
are at sweet Chalybeate Springs
Col. L. C. Barley is at Sweet Springs.
". Va, with his family.
Mr. A w Armstrong was notified YES
'erIiay by telegraph that his little son
lad been badly injured by falling from a
wagon at Berkeley Springs
DR.. Howard who was Injured a few days
ago by being thrown from his buggy. is
suffering very much from his INJURIES.
At a regular meeting OF the Columbia
Fire Company last tnightcharge> were made
AGAINST Two members for unbeComin, con-
uuct. AMI their names were dropped from
the rolls \ committee OF five was ap-
pointed to select Il design and ascertain /
me cost OF silk banner for the use OF the
company IN parades. A committee was
also appointed to provide new curtains for |
the pariors OF the company.
Dr. Purvis ard Messrs Esuri.e. and |
Aioore, JAIL examiners, yesterday, filed |
heir quarterly report. The institution is |
'aid TO be in II good condition.
Mr.. Joseph Powell, a prominent resident |
1r Fairfax county, died at Fairfax Court |
house Wednesday evening. Mr.. Powell |
was candidate for the judgeship of the
county when Judge Chichester was appoint
ed TO that position.
Mrs. George Craven. in attempting to
nlight from an electric train at Wilkes and /
Royal streets, last night. was thrown
'iolently To the ground and badly injured. |.
Mr.. T. j. Dempsey was overcome by the
heat last night and fell at the corner ,r
and Prince stress. His head /
vas badly cut by The fall. He was taken
o his home, on Fairfix street.