Evening star., 1896-08-10
ALEXANDRIA AFF AIRS
Miss Miller, Who Attempted Suicide, Eas
Rallied This Morning.
Hcpe for Her Recovery NOVA Ser
Items OF Interest.

Miss Bertie Miller. a waitress In Mrs
Cooks eating house IN the market building
tried to end her life last night by taking
laudanum at her home on South Lee street
No reasons ere assigned for the deed
though il is said she has made several at
tempts to destroy herself recently. \ young
man ramed Frank Riley of Washington.
who has been attentive to the girl for SOM
time. called on her yesterday afternoon.
and she seemed to be in the best of spirits
As night came she became melancholy
and told a youTg lady friend that she
wished she were dead and her troubles
over" Nothing vas thought of the
mark. ani shortly afterward she sent boy
named John Taylor to drag store for two
ounces OF laudanum saying she wanted il
for toOthache. When the boy returned
with the drug she drank the contents OF the
vial and tncn. walking 10 the rear OF the
house, complained to neT mother OF severe
pains In her stomach. Mrs. MiIirr detected
the odor of laudanGm aud accused her
daughter of having taken IL. which she
denied strenuously. In a few moments
she fell to the ioor and hcrarnc uncor-
scious. Mrs. Miller screamed for help. and
DIR. Hugh Mcclure WAS summoned and
found the girl in a preca:ious condition
Every efOrt was made to restore her to
consciousness huj last night the young
lady was thought 10 De dying. She rallied,
however. and today her condition is said
to he more favorable. Mrs. Miller states
that she can give no reason for her daugh
ter's attempt at suicide. she knows of n0
troubles that could prompt her to Kill her
self.
The Charge Withdrawn.
Lawrence Washing Ton. well-knoNn
young man of this city. was before Mayor
Thompson at a special session of the police
court Saturday night on charge of seduc-
ton under promise of marriage brought by
Miss Elizabeth Williams. The girl testified
that Washington had been intimate with
her a number of times during the past six
or seven years. and had repeat eddy prom
ised to marry her. Mrs. Williams. the girls
mother. testified that Washington had sew
eral times stated. in her presence. that he
expected to make her his wife. Mr.. r.. b.
Taylor. who represented Washington, re-
fused 10 allow his client TO go on the stand
and the case was continued until this
morning, that further evidence might be
secured. Yesterday. however. the girl and
her mother sent for Chief of Police Web
ster, and requested that the charge b..
withdrawn. giving their reason THAI
Washington would be more of an incuni-
brance than an advantage to the girl II h.
married her as in all probability She would
nave to work for his support. When thu
case was called in the poiire court This
morning Washington WIS dismissed.
R~nI Estate SwindIer Caught.
j. 7. Van Smith che of The biggest real
estate swindlers in the United States. who
was arrested in this city or Saturday upon
complaint Of Detective II. II. Perkins of
Pntsbure, was brought before Mayor
Thompson Saturday afternoon. The Dris-
oner expressed his Willingness TO go with
tie detective without waiting for raluisi-
tion papers. and Mr.. Perkins left with his
charge al 6::,D o'clock Saturday sNeuiu.
Van Smiths wife accompanied him She
appeared greatly distressed a the very un-
pleasant notorety that has suddenly been
thrust upon her husband. but stated thai
she felt perfectly corfii mt that the matter
would be cleared up before long and FER
husband completely eXonsrated.
Noics.
Mr.. James r. Caton left SATURDAY 10 ioiE
his family at White Sulphur Springs
Messrs. Martin Green and Horace Down
ham ara at Colonial Beach.
Mr.. William Bryant is AT Atlantic City.
Mr. Frank Smith. who was injured bv
being knocked from an electric car In
Washington Saturday night is able TO walk
about though ne has ugly cut over the
left eye and is considerably bruised.
A man giVirg the name of w. l.. Will
iams of Fairfax county had his pocket cot
out i'm Washington last night and was rob
bed of all his money.
Mayor Thompson fined Edward Ware IS
this morning for an assault on w. II. Will
Jams. Smith Miller. charged with assault
ing and beating his wife, forfeited s. col
lateral.