Evening star., 1897-05-29
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
An Interview Had With James Lewis, the
Condemned Negro s
He PrOfesseS tO'Havc Been Converted
Stin Claims to De Innoeent-Citf-
Gems Complain Of theI Dust.
Evening Star Bureau
No: $50 King street
Rell telephOne No. 1(6Sl


ALEXANDRIA, Va. May o. 1897.
A staff representative ofaThe Star went
to Fairfax Court House yesterday and had
a talk with James Lewis, the; negro ray
isher of Mrs. Ida Reidel. who is to be
hanged next Friday morning between the
he urs of md 10 o'clock.
Lewis appeared to be in unusually good
spirits. despite the fact Of his rapidly ap-
preaching doom.
well, Jim, how do you feel today?" ask
ed the reporter.
"Oh, 1 feel flst-rate, under the circum-
stances
"They tell me you have "got religion
gocdT'
"Yes, indeed, is, sir. feel the arms OF
de blessed Jesus round me all de time"
Then you expect to go to heaven when
you die?"
"Yes, sir; my soul is saved"
Have you given up all hope Of new
trial?"
guess / Will have to co.
'Will you say anything on the scaffold,
Jim?"
II 'spect I will have little to say. If
they will let me-
"Wiil YOU make a confession Of your
fcrime?'
done said so three or four times! am In,
nercent, l am. I didn't think they could
hang man II he swared ne was inner
cent
"How is your appetite. JIM"
pretty good. eats all dey gives me.
Lewis told The Star reporter that the
Rev. Mr.. Truatt, a colored Baptist min
lister, from Alexandria. had called TO see
| him yesterday morning, and prayed with
him.
tell Trina had pivep Lewis seemed to
affect him more than that Of any Of the
other ministers.
Back of the little Jail is pile of lum-
| Der. which will be used to build a fence
| around the scaffold. so as to make the
hanging private, as required by law. The
scaffold Is the one used to hang White and
| Robinson the negro ravishers of two white
women at Manassas, several days ago
| One of the ropes used on that occasion will
| be employed to hang Lewis.
| Lewis told The Star representative that
| he knew nothing of Lawyer Sadler's appli-
cation for a new trial for him, and did not
seem to care.
| Dusty Streets.
King street merchants are again today
bemoaning their fate. Clouds of dust have
covered their stocks raised by the street.
sweeping gang with their hand brooms and
without watering cart The effort hither-
| to mentioned in The Star is to be made at
1
| improved watering cart. J, The, nuisance
complained Of occurs everY Saturday morn
ing. ~: bi
Earl Van Auken, ,Returns.
Earl Van Auken. the. voting Alexandrian
| whose many escapades and arrest in New
York were chronicled in The Star, has re-
turned to this city, havinGsbAen released
on bail. Young Van Aukqn,s sfather, 1t is
said. claims that another sLAlexandris
youngster is mixed up inhthei affair. and
will prove II at the proper time.
Shot I'm the sHeess
Willie Foley, while practbcinsewith an old
pistol at Jones Point !, yesterday. acci.
dentally shot himself in sis hazel. He was
aecompanied by young Playmate named
| Warder. -
Dropped Dead.
Nat. Turner colored. wfille at work un
loading a car of coal for MY Park Agnev
on the track of the Southern. Railway Com
pany on North Lee street near the ga.
works. dropped dead this morning. Tur
ner had not complained Of illness. DR.
cause Of death to have been heart dis
esse.
Notes.
The funeral Of Mrs. Orlando Daniels tool
place yesterday afternoon.
Mrs. Kensey Johrs and Miss Johns ar,
visiting In Baltimore
Surgeons are now being caught in larg
numbers In the Potomac.
A. D. Bracket & Co. have sold the Alex
andria steam bakery to Washington par
| ties.
The chndren Of the sconfederacy WI
give an excursion to Riyer View June 80.