The evening times., 1899-01-02
CURRENT EVENTS
IN GEORGETOWN
FIRE At AGED woMEN's HOME
Coolest Weather Ever Recorded on
the Heights-Death AlOnZO
ThecsSer.

Last night about o'clock FIRE was dis
covered in the Aged Women's Home, at
1855 Thrty-secend Street. and but for the
prompt work of the firemeu of the George
town station and the police of the Seventh
precinct station the loss of life would
probably have been great. The building Is
an old one, without the fireproof improve
rlentS of newer structures. and had the
fire burned few minutes longer before be-
ing discovered the damage to the home and
the surrounding buildings would have been
serious. The fire originated in a closet
which opens off the room occupied by Mar
tha Skinner. eighty six years of age. She
is an eccentric old lady, and had stored in
the closet few articles which were very
dear to her. She never exhibited them and
would never open the closet except when
she was alone. Last night after the others
had gone to bed she took lamp and went
into the closet. In some unknown way an
old lace curtain became ignited and the
flames spread rapidly TO the adjoining
room. The matron soon afterward dis
covered the fire and Immediately notified
officer Connor, who was passing at the
time. An alarm was turned in and the
officer, together with another policeman,
went into the burning building and began
taking out the inmates. For a time there
was panic among the old ladies. Some OF
them were so frightened that they were
officers were obliged to carry a number Of
them to the street. Every one was finally
removed safely to the adjacent houses. 4
number Of the inmates were III. and the
excitement incident to the fire had very
bad effect on them. After the fire was eX
tinguished the old ladies went back 10
the home but insisted on staying up all
night TO watch fer another outbreak of the
flames. The damage to the building was
slight.
On the heights OF Georgetown this morn
mug at o'clock the thermometer regis
tered two degrees above zero. This. say
the old inhabitants of that part OF town,
is the codest weather that this section has
experienced in three years. AS a result OF
the cold weather the streets in numerous
places are being torn up by workmen to
repair bursted water pipes. Rock Creek is
frozen over and the ice is thick enough for
skating. The river is also frozen over but
the ice is not yet thick enough for skating.
William and Laura Wheeler, colored,
aged forty and twenty-seven respectively,
were arrested last night about $3.50 o'clock,
charged with disorderly conduct When
found by the officer the couple were en-
gagged in threatening each other. William
had badly lacerated finger which he said
was inflicted by the woman. Laura, how
ever, told different story, saying that
William had cut his nnSer Win khiie,
which he had in his possession. Both are
old offenders and are we'll known to the
police. They were locked up in the Sew
enth precinct station.
Mrs. John Dugan gave a very pleasant
watch party Saturday evening at her home,
1911 M Street. An enjoyable evening was
spent in game playing and dancing, and
at late hour supper Wa-i served. Among
those present were Miss Nellie Dugan,
Miss May Heupel, Miss Louise Volkman.
Miss Ethel Pyles, Miss Louise Lipscomb,