Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-08-07

OASE DlSMlSSED.--1ne case OF j. L.
Beckham, jjr., charged with attempting
to set fire to house, was dismissed in
the Police Court last night, there be-
| ing no evidence of arson nor of an at
tempt to commit the crime. A num-
Der of witnesses were examined, among
{ them several attaches of the Columbia
Engine Company.
Lieutenant Smith testified to MIR.
VIM. Wood reporting to the station
house that Beckham intended setting
fire to the house which he subsequent
ly entered. He said he and Officer
Hall repaired to the vicinity and sta
toned themselves in the alley on the
opposite side of the street, that they
saw Beckham approach the house and
enter the cellar. While in there the
accused lighted several matches which
blew out as quickly as they became
lighted. Beckham had previously
taken off his shoes, which witness Sc
cured. The accused shortly left the
house and walked to his home short
distance away. The officers after salts
flying themselves that no fire had been
kindled returned to the opposite side
of the street and awaited Beckham's
temperance. He soon returned and
began a search for his shoes, lighting
matches in the meantime on the pave.
ment. Beckham subsequently left the
neighborhood, when the lieutenant and
some officers who had arrived in the
meantime entered the house with
light and explored the prem.
ises. The officers found no ev-
idence whatever of any attempt
to set fire to the house. There is no
door to the cellar into which Beckham
entered, and the floor of the room above
is beyond the reach of men of ordinary
height. No waste nor oil was found,
and parts of the matches which Beck
ham had burned were all that could be
found.
Mr.. VIM. Wood testified to Beckham
going to the engine house and the SUBJ
sequent intimation which came to his
ears that the prisoner intended setting
fire to the house.
Mr.. Noble Smith testified to hearing
Beckham tell Mr.. Frank Entwisle he
intended committing the arson; also
that Beckham had secured bunch of
waste which had been taken from him,
MIR. Henry Posey testified to the
prisoner taking tive-gallon can of coal
oil from the engine house. The evil
dence showed he had taken the can
midway the square on Prince street, be-
tween Washington and St. Assph,
had placed it on the pavement and had
fallen asleep in doorway. Mr.. Posey
recovered the can and returned it to the
engine house.
Mr.. Entwisle, upon being put on the
stand, positively denied the statement
that Beckham had impaired to him his
intentions, and said the prisoner had
invited him to go with him and get q
drink.
Mr.. Stephen Taylor was examined,
but his evidence was not material.
Mr.. George Appich was also put on
the stand, but his testimony threw no
light upon the case.
The evidence Of Officers Hall and
knight was corroboratory of that Of
Lieut.. Smith.
Mr.. Beckham was finally asked if he
had any statement to make. He said
he had no recollection of his adventures
after reaching the city from Riverside
Park Wednesday; that he had been
drinking and knew nothing about 60
ing to the house on Prince street until
told of it next morning. The evidence of
all the witnesses was to the effect that
he was drunk.
The Mayor, after all the testimony
had been given, concluded to discharge
the prisoner on the ground that arson
had not been committed nor mad it been
shown that the crime had been attempt
ed, but reminded the accused that his
actions had been justly suspicious and
that he had brought himself into I'M
pleasant notoriety from the too free use
Of liquor.
Commonwealth Attorney Marbury
represented the prosecution during the
examination and considerable time was
spent in bringing out the exact facts in
the case in order to refute the many
absurd rumors which had been circu-
lated during the day in connection with
the matter.