The times., 1899-12-25
ALEXANDRIA NEWS.

ALEXANDRIA, Dee 24.-August Dorsey. col
ored, twenty-five years of age. made an
successful attempt to break Jail at an early hour
this morning. lie was detected by Warden Hayes
preparing TO cut through the roof OF the prison.
Dorsey has been confined in the city Jail since
October % under an indictment Of having broken
into and robbed the postofiee at Lovettsviile,
Loudoun county
He viii be placed on trial in the United States
court on Tuesday next and in addition to the
charge OF robbery, will probably be indicted for
attempting to break Jail. Dorsey claims that he
was assisted in his attempt to escape this morn
ing by Frank Mason and Ed Nowlan, two tramps.
Dorsey was confined in cell No !, on the lower
floor OF the building, and the tramps, with
several other prisoners, occupied cell on the
upper floor About 3 o'clock this morning War
den HAYES heard a noise in the prison He
discovered that the door of the cell in which
Dorsey had been confined was open. Hayes ran
20 the upper floor of the building and entered
room 80 The five prisoners who had been con-
fined in this room We're In bed and Dorsey was
seated on a bed Hayes saw that Dorsey had
succeeded in removing double-thick board cell
ing and had almost reached the slate roofing.
Dorsey taken to the lower moor and con-
fined IN the dungeon. When seen by Times
porter this evening Dorsey said that he was
urged hy N0wlau and Mason 60 escape. The two
men. he claims, came 10 his cell door and told
him that the guard not i'm tine building, and
that he would have excellent opportunity to
fee With a piece OF iron he succeeded in break,
ing the fastening to the lock ON his cell door,
and the two tramps pushed back the bolt which
Dorsey could not reach. Dorsey insisted that
the two men had assisted him in breaking through
the ceiling.
Dorsey made a desperate attempt 10 escape from
the Jail five DAYS after he Was inglrgerated. He
requested Warden liammil 20 allow him % go
into the prison yard for water, and when the
warden unlocked the door he murderousy
assaulted by Dorsey. But for the prompt action
OF Warden Hayes this morning there would have
been a wholesale Jail delivery.
Capt Alfred Cnrley Of the schooner Sidonia
Curlev. reported TO the police today that the
and robbed of number of articles Of clothing
ana So. - i'm cash. The vessel is lying at the
foot OF Queen Street
telegram was received here this evening from
Orange. \. j., announcing the death ln that
citv Of Col Samuel Johnson. Colonel Johnson
a long time connected with the civil engineer
ing department. Of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road Company.
The members Of Alexandria Washington Lodge,
No. %. +. and \. NJ, will attend religious
| services Al Grace Church, at I p. m, on NedneS
| day next St. Johns day. All other Masons in
| the city have been invited 20 participate.
The chemical and other scientific apparatus
/ formerly used in old ST Johns College here
! have been forwarded to Old Point Comfort Col
! lege Fortress Monroe, where Rev Father Care
| the former principal Of st. Johns. is chaplain.
| Rev Or. Packard, of the Theological Seminary.
| was the recipient yesterday of a well executed
| portrait OF himself, the day being the eighty
! first anniversary Of his birthday.
Services will be held in the Catholic and
! Episcopal churches tomorrow. Al 81. Mary =
Church the first service will be held at 10 o'clock,
| Special services will also be conducted in the
| German Lutheran Church. Special musical pro-
grammes have been arranged by all the choirs.