Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-09-02
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
Dismissal Of Charges Brought Against
Agents Of an Art Company.
Poison Discovered In MIX Sold by a
Dcaler-GenernI and
Personal.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 701 King Street.
Poll Tolanhnnn M 1lG

ALEXANDRIA, Va. September 2. 1899.
/ Samuel Lang and A. Wise. who repre-
scented themselves as agents for the Co
lumbia Art Company of 10S North Charles
street, Baltimore, with a branch office at
437 9Th street northwest, Washington,
We're arraigned before Mayor Simpson in
the police court this morning. charged with
conducting a fraudulent business The
men were arrested yesterday afternoon on
complaint of Mr.. George Ayers. and gave
collateral for their appearance this MORN
ing.
Several witnesses appeared against the
accused men. The evidence was, in effect
that agents of the art company had visit
ed private residences, usually at a time
when the ladies of the families were most
likely to be seen, and entered into agree
ment to enlarge photographs free of
charge adding that frame would be PIE
sented when the picture was completed,
but that its purchase would be purely OPP
tional with the customer When next the
customers We're called on. according to the
compliments. a new man would present
himself with proofs. Finally, when the en-
larged picture had been completed. still a
third agent would appear. bringing an ex
pensive frame, which. the witnesses de-
clared, many had been buldoZed into pur-
chasing against their wishes. In the event
of customer refusing to buy the frame,
would be retained. The practices of the
agents were Indignantly denounced by the
irate com plainants.
Mr.. Wise. the senior agent, made state
ment that he and his companion were OPP
Grating under a license and doing 1egti-
mate business by contract He furnished
list of persons in this city for whom pic
lures had been enlarged, and the mayor
said he would have officers call on the par
ties and make further inquiry.
The mayor dismissed the agents, saying
that they could not be prosecuted. as they
were collectors, and not those with whom
the original bargains had been made. He
stated, however, that any citizen unable to
regain his property could attach, by civil
process, the property of the Columbia Art
Company in this city. Mayor Simpson fur
ther stated that every agent doing business
would be required to exhibit separate IL
cenSe.
POisoned the Milk.
Mrs. E. r. Boyer, living at the corner
Of King and Washington streets, had an
unpleasant and startling experience with
poisoned milk while at breakfast yester-
day morning. Mr.. Boyer, upon tasting his
coffee complained of a burning sensation
in his throat. The matter was investigated.
and 1t was found that the milk, which
furnished by country dairyman, con-
tanned a small proportion of carbolic acid.
Mrs. Boyer notified her dairyman, and this
morning he reported that four other Gus
toners had complained of the same trouble.
Mrs. Boyer stated that the matter had
not been reported TO the police. as the milk
man was endeavoring to learn for himself
how his goods could have been tempered
with. This morning the matter was called
to the attention of the police, but it is
not known what action will be taken.
Inquiry Concerning Dead Man.
Capt Webster, chief of police. received a
telegram last night from William Kerr Of
Mt. Clair, Baltimore, asking for a descrip-
ton of the unknown tramp who was killed
Thursday afternoon by a passenger train
on the Pennsylvania railroad near this city.
1t was the opinion of Mr.. Kerr that the
dead man might have been his brother. AS
before stated in The Star, he was known to
Edward Carr, his tramp companion, as
kid" Smith. Apparently he was twenty
years of age, of medium build, light weight,
regular features. cean-shaven face, dark
hair and blue eyes. Nothing was found on
his person to reveal his identity. The
Bethel cemetery.
Capt. Webster replied to the telegram,
giving all the information in his possession.
Christ Church will be opened for public
worship tomorrow for the first time since
it was repainted and repaired. Rev. DR..
Wallis of the seminary will ofticiate
James Richards was fined s. in the po-
lice court this morning a charge of
stealing wood from wood yard.
Funeral services over the remains Of Mrs.
Sybile Eidridge, widow of Capt. Manchester
Eldridge of Alexandria county. were held
this morning. Rev. James Sanford of the
Second Presbyterian Church officiating.
The interment took place at the Presby-
terrain cemetery.