Evening star., 1900-01-03
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
Case of Howard P. Owens Tried in United
States Court
Not Guilty of ImpersOnat. t.
ing L. $. Omcer-Grand Jury Re-
pOrts-Peraonal Notes.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 7O1 King Street,
Bell Telephone No. log.

No. 701 King Street,
Bell Telephone No. 1O6
ALEXANDRIA, Va, January 3, 1900.
AT the opening Of the United States court
here this morning, Judge Edmund Waddin
presiding. the case of Howard P. Owens,
charged with fraudulently impersonating a
United States army officer in Richmond,
Va. was called for trial. This case was
continued from the December term of
court in Richmond. At the time of his ar
rest Owens. it is said, was attired in the
regulation uniform of an army captain,
and. 1t is further alleged, was passing as
Captain +. c. Ward. He was released un-
der bond of Sl.J1.
Owens acquitted of the charge this
afternoon. 1t was alleged that he had OBJ
tained $50 from Col. W. T. Hartz of Rich
mond, Va. by fraud. Col. Hartz, when put
on the stand, testified that he had been in
tuenced in giving the defendant money
largely by the belief that he was a son of
col Ward of the United States army.
As the government had based its prose-
cution on the grounds that the federal uni
form had bean employed for the perpetual
ton of Il fraud Col Hartz's evidence knock
eG OUT the case, and Judge Waddill in
structcd the jury TO bring in verdict of
not guilty.
Attorneys Geo. d. Wise and James Camp
bell appeared for the defendant
The grand jury yesterday afternoon re-
ported the following indictments: Gus
Dorsey. colored. for burglariZng the post
office at Lovettesville. va; VIM. F. Bell,
for the embezZlement Of 81 500 in postal
funds from the office at EXmore, North
ampt"n. Va, and the case was transferred
to Norfolk Va, for trial; Peter F. Reid
and Nm. Wright. for violating the pension
laws. these cases being also transferred to
the Norfolk court.
Society Elected Officers.
The annual meeting of the Young Mems
Sodalty Lyceum was held last night in
hal D,rly r-it 1arp Of
tendance Captain William Fl. Sweeney,
the retiring presiding officer, made his
port for the past year. showing the society
tSto be in excellent condition, with a men,
bershp of more than 100.
The election of officers for the ensuing
year resulted follows: John d. Nor
moyle. president: W. II. P. Kelley, first
vice president: William Desmond, second
vice president; Richard l.. Carne, jr., re-
cording secretary: William Whitcomb jr..
corresponding secretary: John ]. Hanrotty,
treasurer: James T. Lawler. sergeant-at-
arms and Francis T. Quinn. librarian.
The following We're elected members of
the council: William II. Sweeney. NJ. Cree
gan. Rudolph Norris. Eugene McKenney
and John O'Laushlin.
officers for Fire Company.
At the seventy-second annual meeting of
the Hy,ll aulion Fire Engine Company, held
last night, the following officers We're elect
ed for the ensuing year: NJ. B. Harlow,
president: W. w. Ballenger. first vice pres
id-nt: L. Francis DOwnham, second vice
president; ~ Sidney Mankin. secretary; E.
5. Smith. treasurer; Andrew Sullivan, jr.,
recorder: II. y. Bownham. foreman; Err
nest Langley, assistant foreman, and Geo.
J.. Ward. commander of hose.
When tn. business session was concluded
the members. according to time-honored
custom. repaired to the reception room,
where an oyster supper was enjoyed. Many
outside friends of the organiZa ton were
present and took part in the jolliiication.
General Matters.
The Young Wumans Christian Temper
ance Union gave largely attended New
Year entertainment last night in the par
Iors of the society on Duke street. An at
tritctive musical and literary program was
rendered. the feature of which was a de-
bate On the question as to which of the four
seasons presented the most favorable au-
spices for Y. w. G. T. L. work. Miss Katie
l.. Smith. who argued for autumn, was ad-
judged the winner and was presented with
Il hIndsom" calendar.
The transfer barge used for conveying
freight cars between Alexandria and Shep-
herds wharf. opposite this city, for ship
mcut over the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
was frozen fast in the middle of the Poto-
mae late last night but was released at an
early hour this morning.
The young people of the Second Presby-
terrain Church held a reception and enter
tainment at the church building last even
ing in honor Of Rev. J. Ernest Thacker,
who lately resigned the pastorate of the
local congregation to accept call from
the Second Presbyterian Church, Norfolk,
Va. The event, which was largely attend
ed was really a farewell service, as Mr.
Thacker will leave at the close of this week
for his new field.
After the regular monthly meeting of the
Noman's Auxiliary, r. E. Lee Camp, held
last night. Mr.. Joel Adam entertained the
members by a reading on "reminiscences Of
the civil war
The only case in the police court this
morning, that of Frank jenkins, charged
with disorderly conduct, was dismissed.
Arguments in the Military road case be-
fore Judge J. NJ. Love. in the Alexandria
county court, We're concluded this after
noon and the case given to the jury. When
The stars report closed the jury was still
out.
The city treasurer is now engaged in pay
ing the semi-annual dividend on the. city's
debt.