Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-17
EVANSVILLE AND VICINITY.
Officers After Burglar. Highway n
and Man Accused of Arson.
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence OF Inc Evening SIar
EVANSVILLE, Nd, August 10. 1900.
Considerable excitement was occasioned at
Riverdale yesterday morning by the en-
deavors of Constable Payne, assisted by
dozen or more citizens of the village and
Riverdale to locate and capture a negro
burglar who had entered the residence of
Mr.. Reybold. The negro is described as
a mulatto with red hair and crosseyed.
He entered the house by means of win
dow, and, spreading a table cloth on the
dining room table. proceeded to fill it with
whatever struck his fancy. He then pro-
ceeded to the upper floor, where he found
a pocket book containing 35c. In the mean
time of the family discovered him and
gave the alarm.
When he found he was discovered the
intruder ran into a back room. and. it was
supposed, hid beneath stairway. Con-
stable Payne responded promptly to the
alarm, but was unable to locate the burglar
in the house 1t is supposed he made good
his escape by means of a back window.
George Doyle, an employe of the Bali-
more and Ohio Railroad Company, residing
at Branchville. had an exciting experience
with four highwaymen as he was crossing
the bridge the Eastern branch last
night about 10 o'clock. Doyle had been to
Bladensburg to make some purchases, and
started for home at the hour named. While
crossing the bridge he heard footsteps be-
hind him. and turning, saw four negroes
following him. When nearly across the
bridge one of the quartet struck him on the
back of the head with stone, knocking
him down. The other three men then
kicked Doyle about the face and head until
he was insensible, and the four took what
money they could find upon him and made
their escape. Doyle was found later and
brought to the village, where he received
treatment for his injuries His head and
face were badly cut He was unable to
give a description of the men.
Considerable interest is being manifested
in the tennis tournament. which Is being
held at Riverdale. A large number of spec
tators witnessed the match yesterday be-
tween George N. Calvert, jr., and H. w.
Dorsey, jr, winners Of the preliminaries.
The game was hotly contested and some
fine work was done by both players. Cal
vert won two straight 81 and 6-3, and had
four games to his opponents three in the
final set, when Referee Flannery called the
match off on account of darkness.
John w. Thomas was arrested here this
morning by Detective David c. Smart of
the Maryland Detective Agency, for the
Virginia authorities, on the charge that he
burned large barn containing number
Of horses, cows and farming utensils, on
the farm of DR.. A. c. Fisher of Emmerton
Richmond county. Va, in the latter part
of June last. Thomas. at the time of the
fire, was visiting colored woman in the
employ of DR.. Fisher His visits became
so frequent and of such long duration that
the doctor informed him he would have to
stop coming upon his place under the threat
that If he did he would shoot him. Thomas
left vowing vengeance. 1t Is said, and the
following night the fire took place. He
was Immediately suspected and later ar
rested and was held by the grand jury of
Richmond county under bond Of $500. which
was furnished by his father. but before
the case came up for trial he had made
his escape.
He was finally located. it is said, by De-
tective. Smart at PIP N street northwest
in Washington, where he was living with
a woman under the name of William Toms
The detective was unable to make the ar
rest in Washington. but induced the &C.
cused man. under the pretense of employ
ing him. to come to this village, where he
was met by Constables Moffatt and Payne
and taken before Justice Carr, to be held
for requisition papers
When Thomas found he was under arrest
he informed the officers that he would not
be taken alive, and started for a window.
Detective Smart intercepted him and, draw
ing his revolver, commanded him to throw
up his hands. which he promptly did. He
was then handcuffed and the detective
started with him for Virginia this evening.
1t was stated that the loss on the barn
and contents amounted to 5000.