Evening star., 1899-02-11
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
Fire Destroys Two Dwellings, Entailing
Loss of ST 200.
Tyvo Additional Cases of Smallpox Re-
ported to Health Ofice-Peti-
tiOn to the Mayor.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 727 King Street,
Bell Telephone. No. Jog,

ALEXANDRIA, Va, February IL, 1899.
Fire broke out this morning about half
past two O'Clock in two unoccupied two
story frame tenement houses on Fayette
street near the Pennsylvania depot, COM
pletely destroying the buildings. The en-
tire department responded to the alarm
and were in service for over an hour. A
loaded freight car standing nearby caught
fire. but was saved from much damage.
Some difficulty was experienced in get
ting to the fire plugs, which were almost
buried in the snow. The weather at that
hour was so bitterly cold that the firemen
suffered severely. Two employees of the Co
lumbia, Messrs. Taylor and Posey, had
their fingers frost bitten.
The houses burned belonged to NJ. Schuler
and were valued at a total Of $1,000, partly
fire was of incendiary origin, as the prem
ises had been occupied by Rebecca Bryant,
the first smallpox patient since the disease
appeared n this city.
Additional Cases of Smallpox.
Two additional cases of smallpox have
been reported to the health officials since
yesterday afternoon. One of these is at 915
North Alfred street and the other at 516
South Henry street in the family of Ed
ward Petit.
The suspected case which was reported to
was investigated last night by DR.. Quack-
enbush. who pronounced 1t not smallpox.
DR. Quackenbush is now assisting the reg
iIlar corps of vaccinatipg physicians-Drs.
Smith, Miller German and Purvis. Police
men knight Wilkinson. Spinks and Rob-
erts have been detailed to specially aid the
health officials.
Benjamin Hughes and Walter Cline were
appointed this morning on the squad OF
health guards detailed to watch infected
premises. thus increasing the force to twen-
ty-two men.
Petition to the Mayor.
The petition to Mayor Simpson in re-
gard to smallpox, before referred to in
The Star has been handed the mayor. The
paper is signed by a large number OF ply
sicians and business men. 1t reviews the
smallpox situation and urges the adoption
of compulsory vaccination; house of de-
tention with increased hospital facilities;
the reporting of all cases of chickenpoX
to the health officer; a more rigid quaran-
tine, and the following Of any suggestions
made by the health officer.
Mayor Simpson has acknowledged the re-
ceipt of this Ietition, and announces that
his message to the city council next Tues
day night will be accompanied with the
petitioners paper.
The new hospital will BE- occupied this
afternoon. Sixteen cots have been sent
there, and will add largely to the facilities
for treating patients. A small house has
been erected for the watchman whose duty
it is to guard the oest house.
Mandamus Proceedings.
Judge Ncol il the circuit court at Manas-
sas today heard argument in the suit be-
tween Alexandria corporation and the
Washington, Alexandria and Mt. Vernon
railroad. Corporation Attorney Boothe, for
the city, makes a new application for a
mandamus to compel the defendant to lay
new rails on King street between Fairfax
and Royal streets, in compliance with
council ordinance.
The Alexandria Library.
A meeting of those interested in the
Alexandria library will be held at o'clock
this evening at the residence of Miss Corse,
president of the organization, No. Ala North
Washington street. The board of managers
recently held a meeting and decided to
consult with several business men as to
the best means of putting the library on
permanent basis, and the meeting above
announced was decided upon.
Water Report.
The final water report has been put in
the hands of Mayor Simpson, and 1t is
thought that it will be submitted to the
city council at its meeting next Tuesday
night Much interest is manifested in the
report by the citizens.
General and Personal
Railway traffic over the Long bridge was
delayed for about half hour this morning
by defective rail-
Very few country people attended the
market this morning on account of the cold
weather.
There was but one case before the mayor
this morning, that of Samuel Haney, color
ed, charged with injuring private property.
A fine of $50 was imposed.
A car load of quartermasters supplies
has been forwarded from St. Asaph to New
York, to be shipped to Mama
The superintendent of outdoor poor has
removed his office to the old court house
building on North Columbus street