Evening star., 1899-02-07
AFFAIRS IN GEORGETOWN
Georgetown Gaslight Company Causes Arrest
Of Grocer Byrne.
Charged With piverting Gas From
Meter-Rev. Dyer's ankle Fractur-
ed-POlicenan Browns Record.

Dennis Byrne. the keeper of a grocery
and provision store at the southeast corner
of 33d and Q streets was arrested this
morning by Policeman Charles Grkgt
rpon a warrant sworn out by Superinten-
Gent Middleton of the Georgetown Gas
Light Company. The superintendent al
lcges that Byrne, in order 10 evade the
payment of large gas bill. connected the
gas pipes leading into his store in such
manner as to divert the flow of gas from
the meter.
The gas meter is located in the cellar be-
meath the store. Sunday morning, as pub
lished in The Star yesterday, there was
fire in the place and it is now supposed to
have been caused by the disconnection of
the regular gas pipe. Byrne is alleged to
fave used a rubber tube in making the new
connections when the meter connections
were severed. The rubber tubing so used
had rotted. or was eaten away at the ends
by the action of the gas, and imperfect
connection resulted. The escaping gas took
turned in.
The charge against Byrne, it is said,
coneS under an act passed for the protec-
ton Of the gas companies of the District,
and the lowest fine that can be imposed
upon conviction is so. with a limit of
something like $50, six months impris-
OEment in default.
Pleads Not Guilty.
The defendant pleaded not guilty in Po-
lice Court today. Mr.. Middleton. Foreman
Deermyer and several employees of the COM
pany appeared as witnesses. 1t was stated
that when employees of the gas company
heard the cry of fire referred to they rush
ed to the house, and one of them succeeded
in extinguishing the flames and checking
the flow of The fire had ed
the change made, it was said, and the rub
Der tubing had burned.
Mr.. Eyrne denied that he was responsible
for the change made in the pipes. The
meter, he said, was removed Saturday by
a man whom he did not see. He also de-
clared he did not know who removed the
meter. His wife conducts the store, he
added, and is responsible for what happens
about the house.
When questioned by Prosecuting Attorney
Mullowny he said that Saturday night was
the first time the meter had been removed
How do you account for drop in the
monthly statement from 400 to 400 feet?'
Mr.. Mullowny asked.
Some people moyed from the house." he
answered, and then we didn't use so much
gas"
Now. Mr.. Byrne." said the prosecuting
attorney. how did you ever think of such
a scheme as this?''
Other peope have schemes" was his
answer
The court imposed fine of 800. with
Tue dltGtudllNe OIL SptlillS ninety u1yS
Jail.
Ankle Fractured.
Rev. Father Marcus Dyer, the son of the
late Mrs. Susan c. Dyer of 3ith and n
streets who is attached to the cathedral in
New York city, but who has been in the
city for some days, coming here to attend
the funeral of his mother, while walking
en- Pennsylvania avenue yesterday slipped
and fell on the snow at 25th street near St
Stephens Church, and fractured his ankle
He was taken to the home of his brother at
110S 10Th street in a carriage, and the
broken bore set by DR.. John f. Moran.
Policeman Brown to BE Retired.
Policeman Augustus Brown who for
some time has been detailed for duty at
the entrance to the AGueduct bridge, ap-
peared before the police board last week
for retirement. Policeman Brown, while
much olGer than he looks, is the only MEM
Der of the original police force who is doing
active street duty as a private. Ever since
the organization of the metropolitan police
force he has been doing street duty, ard
three times refused the position of sergeant
when offered to him. He did not appear
before the retiring board on his own vol-
tiCn, but was ordered to do so, and if he is
retired it will not be of his own seeking
During his career on the force he was never
brought up. on charges, and has not lost a
total month from sickness in the nearly
forty years of his service.
Surprise Their Friends.
Considerable surprise was created here
among the friends of Miss Sadie l.. Thomas
and Mr.. William H. Brown upon the ar
| nouucement that the couple had been mar
| ried in Philadelphia Sunday, January 90
The ceremony was performed by Rev
Alexander NJ. Virgins. The bride resided
with her mother at 3i16 7 street. The
groom is Georgetown boy. and both are
we'll known here. The couple have returned
| to the city and will begin housekeeping at
the corner of Brightwood avenue and Rock
Creek road.
Under Suspicion.
Oscar Pollard, colored, aged twenty-six,
was arrested yesterday afternoon by Po-
| liceman Backenheimer and locked up on a
| charge of suspicion. He was picked up on
| the street with two lanterns in his pos
| session, which he was trying to dispose of.
| Tie lanterns evidently belonged to some