Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-01-17
SUBURBAN NEW
ANACOSTIA.

A fire which occurred last evening in Hills
dale presented some features which, 1t fs
believed, were almost, if not wholly, with
out precedent, certainly in this vicinity.
First of all, the destruction was caused by
two dogs. The scene of the fire was a large
double frame house belonging to Mr.. James
Waters and located on one Of the highest
end most inaccessible of the range of peaks
in the suburb. One of the houses was oc-
cuped by Mrs. Carrie Kelly, a colored wo-
man, who was away from home at the time
the fire broke out Mrs. Kelly had left her
son, aged about ten years, in charge, and
he, becoming lonesome, went out to play
with some of the boys in the neighborhood
and left lighted lamp on the table In the
kitchen. He also left two dogs in the room,
and it Is supposed that they, in playing,
knocked the lamp to the floor. breaking il
and setting fire 70 the premises. The fire
was practically beyond control before 1t
was discovered. but there were hundreds Of
persons who tried to get to the house and
do what they could toward saving Mrs.
Kelly'S personal property, but they We're
prevented by ellis Keys, an old colored ex-
hackman, whose property adjoins that In
which the burned house was situated. Ihere
is no street. leading up to or near the places
which We're on fire and many persons tried
to make short cut across Keys lot, which
was the nearest way. Keys, however,
fused to allow any one to go across the lot
and stood guard with a big club, threaten
ing to do his best toward killing any one
who should diSobey him. He was materially
assisted in his efforts to keep back the
crowd by the fact that there is barbed
wire fence separating the two properties,
and a few persons tried to climb through,
but on most every occasion the party was
prevented by Keys and his club. proml-
nent railroad man who wanted 10 get where
he could be of some aid to the untortunate
woman offered Keys money TO let him
through the fence, but Keys refused to ac-
cept the tender, saying that he cid not want
any money.
BY this time the railroad man and The
Star reporter had become tired of Keys
fooiug, and reached the fire by the most
direct route at hand. which was not one
that KEYS approved of, bV: 1t vas then too
la tie to 10 ANYTHING toward saving thing.
Mr.. Waters loss was in the neiGhborhood
of 1000. He said that he is unable. as yet.
| to tell whether not he has any Insurance,
as he is afraid that the policy de-
| stroyed by party whom he intrEsted with
| the arranging of some of his papers short
| time since Mrs. Kely's loss was she said,
about $3.50. which comprised everything she
possessed in the world. except the clothing
she wore. and on which there was no in
Surance.
The light from the fire attra cted a great
| deal of attention in thu city, and report
| was widely circulated that some of the
buildings at st. Elizabeth's Asylum were
being destroyed, and in consequence of this
| great many persons from Washington
| went to the scene Sergeant Anderson and
Officers Reagan and Allen of the Anacostia
| substation were promptly the spot, but
| like the other citizens could render no ma
| terial assistance in saving any property.
| Mr.. Horace CroZier and several other of
| the most prominent farmers in the vicinity
| of Suitland We're in Baltimore last evening
| attending a convention held under the aus
pices of the Maryland Game Protective As
| Sccia ton. The object of the convention is
| to prepare a petition and bill to be sent to
| the legislature asking that more stringent
| game law be passed for all the counties in
| the state 1t is claimed that the prese t
| law is not strict enough in its provisions.
| and that it is inefficienty enforced.
| 1t is understood that the Legislature will
| be asked to require that there snail be
| one season during which the killing of
| cartridges, rabbits and woodcock shall be
| absolutely prohibited. The legislature will
also be asked to close all the markets in
| the state, and to see If the Cooperation OF
! the proper authorities in Washington can
also be secured so that game which may be
| killed in defiance of the law will not find
| any purchasers. 1t is also proposed TO have
| game wardenS appointed to see that the
laws on the subject are properly carried
! out.
| DR.. Grant Green, brother of DR. A NJ
| Green of Anacostia. and paying teller of
| the banking house of A. NJ Green & Co..
| who has been sick for some time, has be-
| come so i'll that he yesterday was removed
| to a hospital for treatment.
| Skating on the ice has become quite :,
popular amusement in Anacostia. and those
who are not already experts fast be-
coming so. AIMING the best of the skaters
are Mr.. and Mrs. H. A. Griswoid. the for
| mer of whom learned the art while boy
in Connecticut, and who, with his wife, are
daily to be seen enjoying themselves on
the Anacostia river; Mr. and Mrs. Guer-
drum, Miss Guerdrum, Miss Carrie H. Gold
en-, Miss Mildred Peck, Miss Maud Sim
mons, Miss Nellie Simmons. Miss Eta
Haines. Miss Lizzie Watson, Miss Lulr
Mari. Miss Sadie Humphrey, Messrs. Geo
Guerdrum, Ollie Gessford William H. Peck
r r Fisher and lanes Ety,r
Rev. w. G. Davenport. rector of Emmaa
uel P. E. Church. has arranged to delive,
a series of sermons before the Brotherhood
of st. Andrew OF the parish, common cling
Sunday night next, when the subject vii
De why We Go to Church.