The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-09-28
NEWS FROM ALEXANDRIA.

ALEXANDRIA. Sept. 2S.-JuIee John
I Critcher. for many years a prominent
figure in State politics, died at u-50
O o'clock yesterday morning at his home III
North Alfred Street, after compare
lively brief illness. The deceased had
been in failing health for some time past.
but kept on his feet and devoted his time
TO his Law practice in Washington. Judge
tritcher was eighty-One years Of age A
widow and four children. all grown. three
daughters and one son. survive him The
FUNERAL services will take place from his
late residence tomorrow afternoon at 4
o'clock
The deceased was a son Of John
Critcher. well-known planter. and was
born March II, 1870. at Watervfew. West
moreland County, Va. He was reared at
his fathers estate. in that county. and
attended neighboring common schools.
Before he became Of age ne studied law
at the University Of Virginia Afterward
he went 20 Europe with George Tucker,
author Of the Life Of Thomas Jefrer-
son." where he continued his studies I'm
law While in Europe he was present at
some Of the most exciting debates in the
House Of Commons. and ne was in Paris
when the remains Of Napoleon were
brought from St Helena and placed in
the Invalides
In 1872 he returned 70 his old home and
took mp the practice Of law. He subse-
quentiy married a Miss Lizzie Whiting,
Of Hampton. Va Prior TO the civil war
he was elected TO the State Senate, rep
resenting WestmoreIand, Northumber-
land, Lancaster. and Richmond Counties.
While in the Senate he engaged In irnpor-
tant legislative work for his district and
for the entire State. At the outbreak OF
the civil war he became quite prominent
In state politics. and was one Of the few
who were opposed to secession. In the
year 1851, on this issue, he was elected to
the state convention. As the intensity OF
feeling began 20 ripen between the two
sections Of the country, and il became
certain that Virginia was to be invaded
by hostile army. he. like others. voted
to dissolve the relations existing between
Virginia and the General Government
At the outbreak Of hostilities he was a
member Of the State Senate and conven-
ton. He at once entered the Confederate
army as a private. and before the close
Of hostilities he rose TO the rank Of a
colonel At one time he commanded a
brigade Of cavalry
At the close Of the war he. with sew
eral others, was summoned TO Richmond
~ President Lincoln to assist in the re-
organization Of the State government
His nomination as judge OF the Eighth
Judicial district was sent to the IegisIa-
ture by Governor Pierpout and was at
once confirmed He filled the position
for about three years In November. 1870.
h. was elected TO Congress from the First
district Of Virginia, and took his seat in
March the following year.
In 1854 Judge Critcher took Up his resi-
dence in this city. where he resided up
20 the time Of his death For many years
he enjoyed a wide and extensive law
practice He had his office in Washing
ton Among his cases were some Of the
most Important that Of late years have
come before the United States Supreme
Court. Court Of Claims, and the Court Of
Appeals II Virginia During his residence
IN this city he gained large circle OF
friends
The Carson Spoke and Handle Company,
situated at New Alexandria. on the river
front. directly south of this city, was en-
-iTely destroyed by FIRE last night The fire
started about $50 O'Clock, and in two
hours time the once imposing structure
was but pile Of smOlderinE ashes The
origin OF the fire is unknown The loss is
estimated at $4,000 The loss is only par
italy covered by insurance.
Messrs- Carson and Mcneil are the prin-
cipal owners Mr. Carson could not be
seen last night, as he is at RiyertOn. Va
Mr.. Mcneil, manager and part owner.
was the only stock owner on the grounds
when the fire started He stated that he
had just come from the building. when
the FIRE commenced. and he HAD no idea
Of its origin To him IL seemed Thar the
fire started ia the middle of the building
In less than five minutes the whole build
ing was q mass Of flames. The fire en-
glues from this city could not 20 out 0u--
ing 10 the Isolated situation Of the place
There was fire apparatus in the build
ing but the flames spread 50 rapidly that
those present did not have time TO use IT.
When the fire started Mr. Mcneil was
present with the night force. who were
about 20 go 70 work The men. however.
were unable 10 give any aid, owing TO the
hre's rapid headway- Dir Mcneil stated
that considerable quantity Of valuable
new machinery Including lathes, etc. had
just been placed IN the building. and these
together with "a large quantity of raw
material. ana the books Of the company.
were DESTROYED The only thing saved
was the Office cat
Mr.. Mcneil stated that yesterday morn
ing he went 90 the office OF a local irsIrr-
ance agent FOR the purpose Of having $S.deO
stock and building He was told 10 draw
UP the proper application papers and
last night Mr.. Mcneil drew from
his pocket the papers that he intended
TO turn over to the agent. making
application for the extra insurance. He
remarked that IL was bad luck The fac
tory employed sixty men and boys. and
Sey VIII. Of course. be thrown out OF
employment II could not be stated last
night whether or not the factory win be
rebuilt The shooting flames from the fire
highly Illuminated the southern heavens,
but very few from this city went To The
scene Of the fire
At $3.50 o'clock a special car left here
Tor mat place with several employees Of
the Washington, Alexandra and Mount
Vernon Electric Railway Company. Their
mission was To cut the wire. which save
current 10 the factory for illuminating
purposes This was done 10 prevent the
grounding Of the other wires on the road.
After efecting it's purpose the car return
ed Doc Baltimore. an empIGge OF the
company. was slightly burned in en-
ing was two-st0ry brick anair. and the
Carson Company recently added large
wooden building
The original factory was built for the
use Of the Dies Company. Of CanzI Dover.
Ohio After being operated as a flrritllre
factory for some time il was entirely
destroyed by fire. Some time aftcrward
the present building. similar structure
was Duilt and again operated by that
company After the Boom Of the town
had died down the Dies Company sold
out the factory 20 the New Alexandria
Improvement Company This cOmnanv
operated the factory for some time as
the Mount vernon spoke COMPANY They
manufactured the same line Of goods as
the Carson Company About two wears
ago this company sold their stock and
building To the Carson COMPANY The
latter company operated the factory IN
a most successful manner They sold
their goods in England and other foreign
markets. and their sales are reported to
have been unusually IaTEe.
The grand jury proceedings of the Alex
i'm nod H.