Evening star., 1896-12-18
Oreditable Development Of the Local
Police Force.
CHIEF WEBSfER'S LONG RECORD
Notes Of General Interest From
Down the River.
DESTITUTE AND STARVING
Everin8 Star Bureau,

tIlN li!ti hHO" ilittt tHS
great degree of efficiency they have at
tained under the present arrangement
April l. 1855. James F. Webster was
elected police Estable for tn. city, and
served as such until July 10. 1870. when
the present police force was organized,
and of which since that date he has been
chief chief Webster has grown old in
the service. and his head, which is covered
with gray, shows the signs of many
wrestle with the lawless In protecting life,
limb and property He is familiar with all
matters that could throw the slightest
light the citys regular crooks" and
knows many OF the prominent crooks op-
Grating in the big cities The captain tells
some hair-breadth tales of his varied ex-
pertences and connected history OF his
life would make interesting reading mat
ter From his constant contact with the
laws, h- has attained considerable infor
nation in this line. and there few law
yers al the bar WHO stump him i'll
matters which daily arise in the police
court Chief Websters famous and pet
expression in this connection is common
law is based on common sense; if man
has comm m sense. the law is all right
Chief Webster always sits at the right
hand of the mayor in the trial of cases
in the police court and is OF great assist
ance, as the venerable chief knows to
turn the record of most of those who figure
in the from day to day. and but Tor
the tramps who are arrested daily as
vagrants one sees but few strange faces
behind the bars-the regulars taking their
places almost in turn The crooks or the
city stand in awe of Chief Webster and
don't like to have him after them. for IL
Is known that he always gets his man,
even If his gun has to he used. and the
chief has shown on more than one occa-
sion that he knows how 10 use it. though
he Is noted for being careful and showing
great judgment under the excitement OF
making arrests. Chief Webster. though
well along in years. Is remarkably bright
and active and is ever on the watch Tor
the interests of his department which he
has by untiring effort raised to its present
high degree of efficiency
When the police force was ORGANIZED
jelly 10. 1870. John l. Smith was elected
lieutenant. He served until November l,
1sS2 when he died. and succeeded by
H A. Crump. Lieut. Crump's term was
short one. and he was called TO his home IN
ieSS. August l. 1883, James Smith. son
of John l. Smith, was elected lieutenant,
and he has served until the present. and Is
kI OWE as one of the most efficient officers
in the service. and an able assistant to the
v.I crabie chief. He is known by crooks rs
q daring officer and has made many im-
portaat arrests during his term of service
When Jim Smith starts after man IL Is
generally all right with him, and the
idWtFtAkerS tBluSdEOr always 10 give
a wide berth. Lieut. Smith has acquired
quite a reputation detective. He is
sharp. quick and active. Has a keen eye,
and from his constant contact with GRIM
iT ais can spot one at glance. Many noted
criminals from other cities have oeen 10
Gated and arrested by him He a valli-
able man to the city and will make an able
~ ccesscr to the venerable chief.
From 1880 until 1875 the police force was
elected by the city council, but this was
found not 20 work we'll and the matter
pat In the hands of a police commits
sion. composed of one member from each
ard, With the mayor president. The
force was increased four men. making a
total of nineteen men. James T. Smith. th-e
n est active, energetic and efficient private
on the force. was elected sergeant. and has
ST ryed in that capacity with credit TO him
self and to those who elected him. The
police are divided into tricks OF eight
hours each, and the number of officers
duty at night is double the day number
Owing 10 the watchfulness of the police
and the efficiency of the management but
little iawlessness occurs except of a minor
nature.
Attempted "HOld-Cp."
AS Mr.. John Jacobs. 4 travelling man. was
driving into town on the Leesburg pike
sko rtly after o'clock last night he was
accosted by three unknown men. one OF
whom caught the head of his horse. and
the others ordered him to give up his pos
sessions. AS he made a motion as IL 20
CGRcede to their request he picked from the
seat q loaoed revolver. which WAS ready for
Use. When they saw the glittering barrel
of the revolver the men scattered In all d.
recttons- Mr.. Jacobs proceeded on to town.
Cnse of Destitution.
\ report was received at police head
quarters ls st night from residents of the
neighborhood that Mrs. Barrett, residing al
81: Queen street. was dead. The house was
securely fastened up, and the old lady had
not been seen for several days. Officer
Beach Investigated the case. He refused to
break in the doors. as suggested by the
Heighbors. but gained an entrance TO the
house through rear door
he FOUND Mrs Barrett alive. but badly in
need OF medical attendance, and arrange
nients were made for her TO be cared for.
There Is not so much destitutioB In the city
as usual at this time, due. it IL thought
tc the mild condition of the weather Cases
are relieved by the city and the various
Church societies.
Fences for Fires.
Much complaint comes from the residents
OF West End on account of the tramns W ho
lnfesi that neighborhood, tearing down
their fences at night for the purpose of
building nres. These Iramps roost near the
southern railway yards. and the fences are
convenient FOR fuel An effort will be made
TO put d stop to the practice.
Woman's Auxiliary.
There was called meeting of the Wo-
mans Auxiliary of r. K. Lee Camp Con-
tederate Veterans. this morning at which
important business was transacted.
Police Court
Mayor Thompson this morning disposed
OF the following cases:
Loney Jenson. charged with yagrancy;
dismissed.
John Peters, colored. charged with as
sault on Joseph Lucas: fined So
Joseph Lee, colored. charged with assault
on Mary Jones. colored. dismissed and com
plalnant made TO pay cost of warrant
Julia Pines. ccloTed. charged with keeping
disorderly house: fined so, in default OF
which she went 10 Jail for ninety days.
J. Stanley Neale of the Alexandria Times
II Or visit TO his former home in King
William county.
The pupils OF ST. Mary's Academy gave
an interesting entertainment at the Aca,l-
eTay this afternoon.
Alexandria Council, Junior Order United
American Mechanics. held a regular meet
lU4s. T.s.~