The morning times., 1896-12-30
HARPER ACCUSED OF ARSON
Tried in the Police Court. at Alexan-
dria. and Placed Under Bond.
Snow Must BE Removed from Side
walks Elections Of Officers
and Other Virginia News.

Bishop Mcnamara, the eN-prest, who
has been in Alexandria for several days
making arrangements for a series of
lectures against Catholicism, was refused
admittance to SchuIer's Hall last night
Mcnamara it is alleged, rented the hall
from Mr.. Schuler's son without definitely
stating the character of the proposed
lectures. AS soon as the owner of the
hall became aware OF the object for which
the hall Lad been leased he cancelled the
contract, and offered To return the deposit
made by Mcnamara. The eX-pTiest declined
the proposition, and insisted upon having
the use OF the hall.
Last night he appeared in front of the
building at Z o'clock and walked up and
down the pavement until 1.45 O'Clock,
when he assembled the steps leading to the
hail. and addressed the crowd Of about
fifty people which had gathered. He de-
nouHced, Mr. SchuIer, and stated that lie
had already taken preliminary steps to
recover damages for breach or contract.
In conclusion he said he has been offered
another hall and will speak under the
auspices OF the Odd Fellows, in their hall,
on North Columbus street, tonight.
Prominent odd Fellows who were asked
about the statement denied that he would
speak under the auspices of the order, but
admitted that their hall could be rented
for such purpose as the lecturer desired
it for.
The attacks made by the eX-prieSt are
not sanctioned by the church-gOing people
of Alexandria, where the members of all
denominations are working shoulder To
shoulder in alIeviating the poor's suffer
ings.
William Harper. colOred, was placed on
trial N the police court last night on the
charge OF having set fire to a row Of
frame dwellings a I the northeast corner OF
Duke and Payne streets. The fire OC-
Cured on the morning of Sunday, July -.
Subsequently a Young man was arrested on
suspicion of having fired the buildings,
but was dismissed at the preliminary eX-
animation.
The princiapl witness against Harper last
night was Richard Burnett. He stated that
on the afternoon Of July 1 . Harper came To
his place and purchased liquor, and that
during a conversation which followed adj
mitted that he had set fire TO the buildings.
Mr.. John H. Green testified that he was
present during the conversation referred
To, but did not attach any Importance to
the remarks, which he regarded as joke
After some other immaterial testimony
Harper was released in the sum of $3.50
for his appearance on January s.
The session of the United States court
will be held in this city on January , and g.
AT this term the case against Charley MOy,
charged With sending an obscene letter
through the malsto the wife OF Sam Sing,
will be called The grand and petit jury
men for the term have been drawn.
The mayor is enforcing the ordinance
requiring residents to keep the sidewalks
clear of ice, and the police are notifying
delinQuents that unless the law is respected
they will be arrested and fined.
The Christmas celebrations OF the Sun
day schools OF the Second Presbyterian,
the Baptist, the Southern Methodist, and
the Methodist Protestant Churches took
place last night. Excellent musical pro-
grams were rendered and hundreds Of
little ones were happy recipients OF
presents.
In tile county court yesterday, in the
attachment case of Aaron o Dell VS.. William
Bailey, the attachment was quaShed aad
O'Dell was directed to deliver to the
defendant the horse Lady May.
Nearly all of yesterday was occupied by
the court in hearing arguments and to sti
mony in favor of and against the proposed
new road from Alexandria county to con-
meet with the proposed extension of Prime
street in this city, Yesterday afternoon
the Judge, the attorneys and several others
most interested were over the site Of
the proposed road. When court reconvened
yesterday evening an order was entered
directing the proposed road to be opened.
Belle Haven Council, Junior Order of
American Mechanics, has elected the fol-
lowing officers: Thomas Chauncey, coun-
cillor; Fred Rodgers, vice councillor; Al
bert Harding, recording secretary; j.
Ellis Norris, assistant recording secretary;
Edward Scott, financial secretary; George
Johnson, treasurer; John Ennis, conductor;
T. NJ. KidweIl, warden; George Goings,
inside sentinel; s. s. Mills, outside sen
tinel; Norman Treakle, trustee; Edward
Scott, representative F. B. A.
The following officers have been elected
by Morley Encampment, No. 6, 1. o. o. F.: