Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-13
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Daring Attempt Made to Rob an Ex-
press Car.
THE MESSENGERS PROMPT ACTION
Appeal for the Restoration of Old
Pohick Church.
iEN ERAL AND PERSONAL
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 701 King st.
POLL rra1anhono No zoe


No. 701 King st.
Bell Telephone No. 106
ALEXANDRIA, Va, April 10, 1901.
A daring attempt was made last night
to rob the express car of the second sec
ton of north-bound passenger train No. IS
over the Pennsylvania railroad, which
passes through this city shortly after IL
o'clock, at the Virginia Midland crossing
about four miles southwest of this city,
where the line of the Pennsylvania road
crosses that of the Southern. Owing to the
vigilance and prompt action of the express
messenger the highwaymen were COM
pletely foiled. While the train was ap-
p1 coaching the crossing at a somewhat re-
duced rate of speed the express messenger,
who occupied one of the two express cars
attached to the train heard a noise on,
the platform. and looking out saw in in
distinct outline the forms of several men
crcuching down between the two coaches.
He watched them intently and soon be-
came convinced that they were trying to
force open the door of the express car.
wh1ch was locked. After taking in the
situation the express messenger quietly
gave the signal for the train to stop The
reducing speed of the cars and the noise
of the air brakes aroused the suspicion
OF the burglars that they had been detect
ed. Hastily abandoning their attempt they
jumped from the platform Just before the
train came to a stop and ran off across the
fields.
Police without a Clue.
1t was believed by the crew of the train
that there were three men in the gang
When the train reached this city a few
minutes afterward the matter was re-
ported, but up to the present the police
have not been able to find any clew to the
identity of the men. Officials of the COM
pany here are reticent in regard to the
matter. 1t is not known whether the train
carried any treasure, or whether the bur
glars were probably in possession of any
information that acted as special in
centive to the attempt.
In recent years the Virginia Midland
crossing has become noted for the many
attempts to hold up trains, both on the
Southern and the Pennsylvania roads, In
that vicinity. 1t has been only few
months since a nitroglycerine explosion
tore up the ground by the track of the
Southern road a half mile south of the
crossing, which is believed to have been
the cause of the death of Foulke and Nc
Carthy. two noted crooks. Some time prior
to that occurrence the night operator at
the crossing was surrounded by a gang
of men and ordered to stop an incoming
train. None of the various attempts how
ever. have been successful
Plea for Pohick Church.
An appeal for the restoration of old Po-
issued by Mount Vernon Chapter, Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution, of this
city. The address Is directed to the his
toric patriotic and antiquarian societies
and to the clergy of the United States, and
is as follows.
I'VE appeal to restore Pohick Church,
the parish church of Mount Vernon. of
which General Washington was a vestry-
man and regular attendant.
This site was chosen and the plans pre-
scented by General Washington himself and
the church was erected in 1772 He chose
the present site as more accessible and de-
strable than that of the original church a
wooden structure the other side of Po-
hick creek from Mount Vernon.
Not only were the ground plans and
front elevation drawn by General Wash
ington with his own hand, but also the
plans for the aisles. the disposition of the
pews and chancel and the location of the
pulpit. The old walls, covered with WV
still stand intact, as they did when the
general sat and listened to the ministra-
tions of Parson Lee Massey but the inte-
rior is now dismantled, only temporary
seats and primitive chancel furniture
I'VE wish to restore the interior as it
was designed and carried out by the Fa-
Their of His Country.
Mr. Dodge. the superintendent of Mount
Vernon, Is yeStryman of Pohick Church
He has access to these original plans and
he claims that the restoration can be com
pleted for $4,000 The church is situated In
d lar ming HelSnDorhoOd, th1nly settled. but
what the members lack in wealth they
make up in zeal
'One of the Mount Vernon vice regents
Mrs Rathbone, has raised an endowment
fund towards the salary of the rector, so
that nothing remains to be done but the
restoration of the interior.
1T is the privilege Of the Mount Vernon
Chapter of the Daughters Of the American
revolution, the local historical society. the
society that represents not only the parish.
put the family OF the Wasfingtons of
Mount Vernon, to make this appeal"
General Matters.
Armory Hall. on South Royal street. was
slightly damaged by fire yesterday affair
noon. The department was called into
service and the flames subdued before thew
had made much progress. The gymnasium
outfit was slightly damaged It is not
known how the fire originated.
An interesting lecture on '.Solomon's
Temple was delivered last evening in the
lecture room Of the NJ. E. Church South
by Mr.. W. H. H. Smith Of washington.
The gathering was under the auspices of
the Epworth League, and a large audience
attended.
Behind closed doors the Citizens Pro-
gressive Association held another meeting
last evening in the rooms Of the Bust
ness Mems League. 1t is said that a gem
eral discussion occurred on the chances
for electing the associations ticket for
council, and that plans for the democratic
primary, which occurs Tuesday, were about
completed.
The Alexandria German Club held its
post-Lenten hop last evening In McBur-
ney's Hall. Many guests from out-of- Town
points were present.
Proposals Received.