Evening star., 1898-03-31
AFFAIRS IN, lAExANDRIA
Negro Charged WtblHGnous Offense and
Lodged intDiF Jail.
Transferred From Fauquier County
mftted Suicide tNGuhday Last.
Evening star Bureau.
G29e King street,
Bt:llsSTelephone log,

GZOe King street,
BsllsTelephone LOG,
ALEXANDRIA, va.y March 81, 1898.
Acting Deputy Sheriff J. w. Shirley of
Fauquier county. Va. arrived in this city
last night at 9:35 o'clock, having in charge
negro named Jim Eskins. whom he
lodged in the city Jail. Eskins was sent
here from Warrenton on charge of hav-
ing attempted rape On a child near Beal-
ton station, in Fauquier county.
The negro, 1t is stated was employed by
Mr. Michael Wagler, a farmer, living near
Bealton. and on the night of the 29th in
stant, 1t Is claimed, he made an attempt to
feloniously assault little Barbara Wagler,
VINO Is only ten years of age. Eskins made
his escape. but was caught at Elkwood sta
ton on the Southern road and taken to
Warrenton
So great was the Indignation of the peo-
pie in and around Warrenton over this at
tempted assault, ard so loud were the
threats of lynching, that it was deemed
wise to send the negro to Alexandria for
protection. He was quietly put on the
tram Yesterday evening and brought to this
city. Shortly after his arrival here the news
that there was a negro ravisher lodged
in the Jail spread like wild fire, and for a
time therer Was considerable excitement.
Everybody remembered the terrible expe-
rience of last June, when James Mccoy
was taken from the police headquarters
and hung to a lamp post. But few people
went to the Jail. however. and there was
little or no talk of lynchine, although had
the innocent victim of this attempted as
sault been in. Alexandria the man would
probably have been summarily dealt with
before the militia could have been called
out for his protection.
A reporter of The Star called at the jail,
and through the kindness Of City Sergeant
smith was allowed to see the prisoner.
Eskins was SO scared, however, and SO
nervous, thai absolutely nothing c0llld he
gotten out of him. Deputy Sheriff Shirley
repaired to the hotel and Immediately went
to his room. refusing to be seen by any
body. He returned to Warrenton this
morning. leaving the prisoner in the Alex
andria jail. where he will remain until he
is wanted before the grand judy.
Identified as p. j. Kaufman.
AS stated exclusively in The Star yester-
day, the body of the mysterious suicide of
Monday last is believed to be beyond doubt
that of P. J. Kaufman. a southern lawyer.
This information was obtained from clue
secured by reporter for The Star. AS
stated Monday afternoon, the buttons on
the trousers worn by the dead man bore
the name of H. ]. Pefzman, a Washington
tailor. Investigation at Mr.. Pelzman's es-
tablishment resulted In establishing the
fact that man answering the description
of the suicide had ordered a pair of
trousers from Mr.. Peizman September 20,
Der Z. Mr.. Pelzman went to Alexandria
yesterday afternoon, and after viewing the
remains is of the opanieA that the dead
man Is the same person for whom he made
the trousers, and that the trousers worn
by the man when he killed himself were
those made by him.
Mr.. Pelzman stated to a Star reporter
that he saw the man who is supposed to be
p. j. Kaufman in Stinzin8s saloon, on 7th
street in Washington; Friday night last,
and it rs said that at that time he had
quite roll of money in his pockets and
wore several diamond rings This gives a
reason for believing that the deceased was
well-te-do, but. when the body was found
dead on board the tusboat there was moth
ing in the pockets Ct the clothes but a
small black pocketbook containing five PEN
nies. There was no sign of jewelry,.. on
his person other than a pair of cuff butt
tons, which were examined by reporter
small Dadlock and appeared ito be gold
plated and of very cheap make. 80 :
If it be true, as stated, thar the deceased
had a roll Of money, Friday night he may
have been foully dealt with, but from the
position in which the body was discovered
such theory is hardly tenable. 1t will be
remembered that the, body was found be-
tween the rail and house on the tugbeat,
and no part of IT. was touching the deck.
Apparently the suicide sat on the rail with
his feet hanging overheard and put the
pistol to his forehead, expecting that when
he fired the fatal shot his body would fall
into the river. but his expectations were
not realized, as the body fell backward,
his head striking against the house with
such force that it made a large bump on
the upper left-hand side.
The police are Investigating the case as
carefully as possible and will continue to
do SO. A photograph will be made of the
dead man, in order that the body may be
identified should relatives or friends make
inquiries in the future. The body will be
inferred this afternoon or tomorrow.
Death of H. e. Holt.
Mr.. H. E. Holt an old resident of this
city, died at the Alexandria Infirmary at
S:45 O'Clock last night. Mr. Holt was taken
to the infirmary yesterday afternoon suffer
ing from an attack of la grippe Shortly
after his arrival at the institution pneu-
Inonia developed rapidly and in a few hours
death claimed him. Mr.. Holt was about
seventy years of age.
Mrs. Hogan Not Dead.
A representative Of The Star is requcs ted
to state that Mrs. William Hogan, residing
in yesterdays Alexandria correspondence
Is alive and as well as she ever was in her
life. The announcement was made in a
telegram sent by brother of Mrs. Hogan
TO another brother In the west. He alone
was responsible for the rumor.
Police Court.
In the police court this morning Mayor
Simpson disposed of the following cases:
Ollie Gaskins. charged with disordsrly con-
duct, was iled IS; Sarah <Haney and Fe-
lima Colley. charged with being drunk and
disorderly. were fined $3.50 each.
II We told you that your baby