Evening star., 1897-07-26
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
Charges Affecting the Management of the
Chain Gang.
Ernest Hall Charged With Assaultlng
a Stableman With Murderous In
tent-Street Sprinkler Assured.
EVENING STAR BUREAU,
No. so King street
Bell Telephone No. 1860,

ALEXANDRIA, Va, July &c, 1897.
There is said to be something radically
wrong in the management of the chain
gang, fer almost daily men who are sent
there for various offenses make their es-
cape and have to be rearrested by the po-
lice. Several days ago Lewis Darlington,
a well-known negro character, was sent to
the chain gang for thirty days for assault
ing Matilda Pcindexter. He was taken to
jail and put to work with the gang. Sat-
III day morning about o'clock he was busy
sweeping the streets. Shortly after 8
o'clock, it is said, he was an interested
spectator Of the proceedings of the police
court, and when the gang was turned In
Saturday night Darlington was reported
missing.
he was located at Sefer Blauss' saloon at
the head of King street, but when the off,
GERS arrived he had skipped. Later in the
night he went back to the house of Ma
ti,da Poindexter. where he gave her good
whipping, and. not being satisfied with this,
turned in and whipped Martha Hughes,
VINO was also in the house.
Sergt. Smith got on Carrfngtons track
and pursued him. He was traced to his
home, but Darlington saw the officer and
jumped from the back window. Sergt
Smith started after him, at the same time
blowing his whistle, to which Officers Ticer
chase the fugitive was cornered and taken
to police headquarters.
In the mayors court this morning Mayor
Simpson returned him to the chain gang.
cape, and fined him SO in each case for
assaulting the two women. These escapes
are of such frequent occurrence that 1t Is
said Mayor Simpson will have complete
chain gang. and endeayor to tighten the
screw that Is evidently loose.
A Shooting Affair.
Ernest Hall was arrested Saturday night
by Officer Lyles, who charged him with
disorderly conduct and attempting to shoot
an employe of Mr.. VIM. Rogers, on upper
King street. Hall was drunk and started
into Mr.. Rogers stable with q lighted
match. The man In charge ordered him to
leave, but Hall, 1t is said, became enraged.
and, pulling out pistol. shot at the sta
bleman twice. neither bullet taking effect.
Hall then took to his heels, but was cap
tured at the corner of Princess and Henry
streets In the police court this morning
the evidence brought out was about as the
above, and Mayor Simpson imposed fine
of $50.
VIII Have n New Sprinkler.
Alexandria is to have an improved street
sprinkling machine. SO says Chairman B.
B. Smith of the committee on streets. the
only contingent being whether proper ar
rangements can be made with the Alexan-
dria Water Company. which controls the
water supply.
The cut Of the present sprinkler which
appeared In Saturdays Star seems to have
awakened the people to the absurdity Of
attempting with II to avoid the present
conditions-the raising of clouds Of dust
when the streets are swept without being
properly watered. Chairman Smith, n
talking to The Star representative, said
You can say In Mondays Star that have
arranged to provide q street spr1nkline
machine, and It viii be put on the street
Saturday morning. II can arrange with
| the water company"
Died From Her Injuries.
Mrs. Jane e. Wright. the old lady wh0
was so badly burned several days ego b.