Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-22
AFFAIRS IN GEORGETOWN
Death at Sea of Former Popular Engraver
and Olubman.
Commissioners' Attention Called to q
Dangerous Cave-In on the Canal
Other Items of Interest.

oecuITeu nearly SIX weeks ago While on
his way to the Argentine Republic to re-
sumo Els position as engraver with one
OF the prominent bank note companies
there. Mr.. Kettle had previously been en-
ployed for about three years at Buenos
Ayres, but contracted a fever there, and
came to the United States to recuperate
He had practically recovered, and was on
his way to resume his labors with his COM
pany He was taken suddenly i'll off the
coast of Brazil, and his body was buried
al sea- He was for number of years en-
ployed in the bureau of engraving and
printing, and was a member during his
stay here of the Columbia Athletic Club
His parents reside in New York. While
the relatives of Mr. Kettle were notified
as soon as possible after his death, the
news of the sad occurrence has Just reach
ed his Washington friends He was about
thirty-five years of age, and regarded as an
expert in his line.
Claimed to BE Dangerous.
A letter was this morning sent to the
Commissioners of the District by Mr. J.
Barton Miller, the attorney in the matter
relative to the condition of the retaining
wall at sd street and the canal, just op-
posite the old police station.
1t recites that when the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal was opened up a great cut was
made Immediately to the north of the lot
at the corner of sd and Grace streets. To
repair the damage done and to prevent the
SOIL of the lot from falling into the canal
the chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company,
or the corporation of Georgetown, con-
structed wall from the level of the water
way to the grade of the street-about
twenty-five feet in height. This wall re-
manned IN satisfactory condition until about
siN months ago, when through the slipping
OF the earth and foundation stones it fell
INTO the canal carrying with it a large
part of the soil. The canal officials sent
men to remove the fall of masonry They
were requested at the time and since to re-
construct the wall in order to afford proper
protection to the north side of the lot, but
up to date no effort has been made to re-
pair the damage
In the meantime the earth continues IN
fall. The lot in consequence, under proper
conditions, it is claimed a valuable one
has been rendered practically foundation
less, and its value thereby deprecated
largely When the wall fell it carried with
1t a protecting fence. and Mr.. Miller de-
clares that human life is in peril-the lot
being on the corner in a thickly buit-up
part of the town, where the msstep of an
intoxicated man or romping child would
mean a fall of twenty-five or thirty feet
into the canal at a point where rescue
would be almost impossible
1T is of the utmost Importance to the
land L represent, he says in conclusion,
and to the safety of human life that the
Commissioners investigate this at once and
order the replacement of the wall l. there
lore respectfully ask that this be DONE
False Suicide Rumor.
report was circulated quite freely that
Frank Ridgway. for many years employed
as confidential clerk at Cabin John Bridge
Hotel. had committed suicide by jumping
into the canal. Where the rumor originated
Is hard to ascertain, but the telephone at
the hotel was kept busy yesterday answer
ing fhka
eide, and most of the calls We're answered
by Mr. Ridgway himself. At first he was
disposed to treat the matter as a Joke but
as inquiry after inquiry came in he became
indignant. There is no foundation what
ever for the rumor, and Mr.. Ridgway would
be glad TO find its originator.
Death of Joseph ConIin.
Joseph Conlin, a well-known and popular
young man, died Tuesday at Garfield Hos
pital as the result of an operation per-
formed in hope of saving his life. He was
employed by Mr.. Kengla of sd street, and,
feeling unwell, went to the residence of
his brother, w. j. Conlin, the janitor of
the Western High School, who lives in
the rear of the school. There being sick
ness in the family, the brother was sent to
Garfield Hospital, and an operation to cure
appendicitis was performed, which termi-
mated fatally. The funeral took place from
( the residence Of Mr.. Kengla and the inter-
death will prove a great surprise to the
many friends of the young man, not one
being aware of his illness.
Held for Mental Examination.
Patrick Howlin, white, aged thirty-ffve,
was arrested at 5 o'clock this morning by
Policeman Pratt and held at the station
house pending an examination to his
sanity. Howlin was employed as a watch
man at the office of the Great Falls Ice
Company on Water street, and this morn
ing he acted in very queer manner. He
seized a pitchfork and held the other en-
ployes at bay and performed other eccen-
trio feats. A policeman was sent for and
the man taken into custody and carried to
the station.
The New Truck House.
Owing to the heavy grading necessary be-
fore the truck house site will be ready to
build upon, it is feared that most of the
appropriation will be absorbed in protect
ing the banks on the sides and in the rear
with heavy retaining walls. The site Sc
lected for the engine house is looked upon
with great disfavor. When the house is fin
ished it will look like a building set in a
hill, almost overtopped with yellow earth
The site is a part of what is known as Fen
wick's Hill, and the Districts purchase
represents only small part of 1t, only the
front of the building Will be exposed to
view. There will be no view from the side,
and the quarters. it is said can hardly be
regarded as healthfui for the men who Will
occupy them.
Personal Mention.
Mr.. and Mrs. Howard Bangs of Dunn
barton avenue, accompanied by their son
John, left today for Waterford, Va, where
they will spend the remainder of the sum-
mer.
Rev. Lucien Clark, d. D., will deliver the
sermon tomorrow morning at IL o'clock at
the Dumbarton Avenue NJ. E. Church.
Mr.. and Mrs Samuel s. Edmonston, ac-
companied by their family, are spending
their vacation at Winterbourn Manor, near
Washington.
The funeral of Mr.. John Archer will take
place Monday morning at $50 o clock from
the late residence of the deceased, at 1853
32d street, proceeding to Trinity Church
where requiem mass will be celebrated
At the West Washington Lutheran
Church, corner of 32d and Q streets, Rev
f. ]. Hopkins will occupy the pulpit at the
IL o'clock service tomorrow morning
Cabin John Bridge by Moonlight
is worth seeing. Phone 1902 and your
order Will be ready on arrival at hotel
advertisement.