Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-05-21
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
Result of Officer Beach's Trial on Charge
of htoxication.
James Lewis, Condemned for q Helm.
General and Personal Notes.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. SO King street,
Bell Telephone. No. JOG.

Bell Telephone. No. 100.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, May q, 1897.
The regular monthly meeting Of the
board of police commissioners was held IL
the private office of the mayor, at police
headquarters, last night, with all the MEM
bers present.
After the routine busiress of the board
had been concluded, a report from Chief
Webster was read charging Officer Jeffer
son Beach with intoxication. Chief Web
ster explained that several days ago a
man named William Whalen had reported
to him that Officer Beach was drunk, and
that lie Whalen) had seen him being car
ried home by Officer Proctor. 1T is said
Whalen at the same time told the chief
that unless Officer Beach was reported to
the commissioners he 0he chief would be
reported for not attending to his duties.
When the case was called Mr.. Whalen
was conspicuous by his absence, although
it is said he had been summoned to ap-
pear al s o'clock.
George Hall, who had been suggested as
witness by Whalen, was put on the stand.
Hall said he had never seen Officer Beach
drunk. Officer Proctor, who Whalen
stated carried officer Beach home in
drunken condition, testified that he had
meyer done ANYTHING of the kind. and had
never seen Officer Beach under the infiu-
ence of liquor in his life
Just as Officer Proctor concluded his tes-
t-mony Mr.. Whalen, whom Chief Web
ster named as the complainant, sauntered
in. and was put on the stand. Mr.; Whalen,
to the Surprise of everybody. said
Il never saw Officer Beach drunk In my
life, and I never made any such complaint
to Chief Webster l did complain to the
chief about my watch, which had been
stolen"
Chief Webster stated that Whalen made
complaint Saturday last that Beach was
drunk Tuesday. the 18th instant, and that
he had seen Officer Proctor take him home.
After hearing all the evidence the COM
m.ssioners completely exonerated Officer
Beach. All who know the accused officer
know him to be fearless, efficient and
urtiring officer He was prominent in the
police raids last January, and has always
been known to do his duty faithfully. He
has the respect of the board of police COM
missioners, as we'll as Of the entire COM
munity.
WY such a charge should have been
brought against him. and why the investi-
cation should have shown what 1t did, is
a matter for speculation
Strawberry Festival.
Tuesday and Wednesday nights next at
Meem Hall, ST. Johns parish, West End,
there will be a school entertainment and
strawberry festival for the benefit of St.
Johns Chapel. This is the only church in
the entire village, and is conducted by
students from the Virginia Theological
work, and need money for repairing the
church building.
Lewis Asserts Innocence.
Mr. c. Vernon Ford, who was recently
appointed commo 1wealths attorney for
Fairfax county to fill the vacancy caused
by the promotion of Judge Love, in con-
versation with Star reporter yesterday
afternoon, said that James Lewis, the ne
gro ravisher of Mrs. Ida Reidel who is to
hang for the crime June 4, still maintains
his innocence. and hopes to get new trial.
Mr.. Ford says that Lewis told him he
thought it was against the law to hang
man when he swore he was not guilty.
Lewis does not seem in the least af-
fected by his approaching end said Mr..
Ford, land wanted me to take charge of
his case again, and ask for a new trial;
but of course, my appointment as COM
monwealth's attorney would prevent such
a course, even If were disposed to do so.'
The Burnett Case.
Several days ago Messrs. r. w. Moore
and John H. Greene, attorneys for Rich
ard Burnett. who is held in the Fairfax
Jail. charged with arson, asked for bail,
and Judge Love fixed the amount of the
bond at $4,000. This did not suit the attor-
neys and they asked for a reduction in
the amount. The question of reduction will
be argued at Fairfax Court House tomor-
row.
Su"ps
There was a called meeting of the Wo-
mans Auxiliary to r. E. Lee Camp Con-
federate Veterans, at Lee Camp Hall, this
assisting in the Confederate Memorial day
exercises.
Mrs. Wade's Funeral.
The funeral of Mrs. Julia A. Wade who
died yesterday, will take place from St.
Mary's Roman Catholic Church tomorrow
morning at 10 o'clock.
The Annapolis Trip.
The Columbia Steam Fire Engine Com
pany will have a meeting tonight to take
fir al action on the invitation to attend the
Maryland State Firemen's Association,
which meets at Annapolis in June. It Is
believed that they will accept. They had
ing /. yesterday afternoon. and it was
found to be in first-rate condition.
General and Personal Notes.
Mount Vernon Chapter Daughters Of
America, will hold it's regular weekly meet
ing tonight.
A number of Alexandrians expect to at
tend the concert at the Theological Sem
irary tonight the proceeds of which will
be used for the benefit of the Brazilian
mission.
Rev. j. E. Thatcher addressed the Loyal
Temperance Legion at the Second Presby-
terrain Church this afternoon.
Rev. j. H. Butler. pastor Of the Baptist
Church. conducted the special services at
the railroad reading rooms last night.
There were no cases on the docket at the
police court this morning.
McCabe's School of Richmond will play
match game of base ball with the Epis-
copal High School team tomorrow.
The funeral of Mr.. F. E. Corbett took
place yesterday afternoon at O'Clock.
An error was made in this column in the
account of Miss Daingertield's dance in
speaking of the caterer. The supper was
furnished by Demonet of Washington.