The Washington times., 1901-07-29
NEWS FROM ALEXANDRIA.

ALEXANDRIA, Va, July 2S.-At about
4;3o o'clock this morning boiler No in the
boiler room of the Robert Portner Brew
Ing Company exploded. Goth the boiler
itself and the brick walls surrounding it
were practically demolished. Lewis Hart
the engineer, was badly burned about the
arms and face. Hart was taken to his
home on Wilkes Street, between Royal
and Fairfax Streets, where his injuries
were dressed by DIR. Klipstein. His in
juries, while painful, are not considered
of a serious nature.
John Holland, celored, the fireman. had
miraculous escape from instant death.
A few minutes pr1or to the accident Hol-
land was lying on the top Of the boiler,
and 1t was hardly minute after he had
left that position than the explosion oc-
CURED. Had he been on the top of the
boiler at the time of the explosion he
would undoubtedly have met with instant
death.
At the time of the explosion, it is stated,
there was only forty pounds of steam on,
and the engineer was in the act of turn
ing on steam He was blown from the
boiler room into the engine room, a dis
tance of several feet, and was burned
from fire blown from the tirebox. None
of the officials of the brewery can explain
Just how the accident occurred, as the
boiler was only recently inspected and it
was found to be in first-class condition,
although it is said that it was an old
boiler Strange to say. none of the other
machinery in the room was damaged by
the explosion. The explosion. it is said,
was a very dull one, as few of the neigh
boring residents heard it. Today hundreds
rfgsf
few were able to gain admittance. The
officials at the brewery estimate that the
loss will amount to 5000, which is fully
covered by insurance. The accident Will
not cause any delay at the brewery, as
the other boilers Will at once be put into
operation.
Fannie Butler, colored woman, whose
home is just north of theNold canal basin.
this afternoon notified police head
quarters that 'Burley' Banks, negro
man, had this morning, without provoca-
tion, shot her ten-year-old son Courtney
Butler, with revolver. The bullet
/ lodged in the heshy part of the boy S
back and has not yet been located. He
is being attended by DR.. Hopkins Banks
/ has not yet been apprehended.
William H. May, a former member of
the State Legislature, today announced
! his candidacy for that position. As
J heretofore told in The Times, Frank
/ Hume. the present incumbent, announced
J that he would not again be candidate
! provided a suitable man would come to
4 the front. Whether or not Mr.. Hume
! will withdraw on account of Mr.. May s
| announcement is only a matter of con-
! lecture. Several of Mr.. Hume's friends
| in this city claim that he will again be
a candidate.
There are several other names men
| toned in connection with that office, but
so far none of these gentlemen have an
nounced their candidacy. Democratic
! primary for the purpose Of nominating a
| candidate will be held about the middle
/ of September. choice by the primary
! is considered equivalent to an election.
colored youth named Thomas Fair,
| aged four years, was brought to the office
| of DR.. w X. Puryis shortly before 6
| O'Clock this afternoon suffering from an
overdose of laudanuIn. After considerable
| citating the child who is now considered
! out of danger. His mother who brought
! him to the office, could give no satisfac-
/ tory account of how the child got the
| laudanum She could not state whether
! ii was given tonhim by outsiders or
! whether the child picked up bottle in
| the house The police were notified of
| the affair and Will investigate the case.
| The child's parents reside on South Co
| lumbus Street near Franklin Street
The funeral Of sthe late Henry Blond
helm whose death occurred last Thurs
| day night took place ut o'clock this
! afternoon from the residence of his par
| ents on Cameron Street, between Pitt ana