Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-10
ALEXANDRIA, Il AFFA AIRS
WEBSTER CASE BEFORE THE
UNITED STATES COURT.
Young Man Accused Of Violating Pos
tel Laws-George ". Taylor,
colored, Pleads Guilty.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 701 King Street,
BelFTelephone No. JOG.

Evening Star Bureau,
No. 701 King Street,
Bell Telephone No. JOG,
ALEXANDRIA, Va, July 10, 1902.
Judge Edmund Waddil1 was delayed in
arriving here this morning by a slight acct
dent on the electric railroad and 1t was
almost noon before the days session of the
United States district court was opened.
In the court room many citizens We're
awaiting MIN, eager to hear the testimony
in the case of William F. Webster son of
Chief of Police James F.. Webster, charged
with violating the postal laws Interest in
the case was somewhat heightened by a
circumstance in connection with the batch
OF letters on which the prosecution depend
ed ana on the strength of which the orig
maj Indictment was drawn. The case was
TO nave come up Tuesday morning, but it is
stated that District Attorney Edgar Allen
discovered that two of the most important
letterS were missing. He thereupon asked
the court for a continuance until he could
prepare new indictment to meet the al
tered conditions to evidence. Yesterday
the grand jury reported an indictment con-
tanning Two counts, based on two particular
letters, respectively, alleged to hold in
terminating evidence against the defendant.
When the case was called this morning
Gen. Allen announced that he was ready
for the government. Attorney Edmund
Burke OF counsel for the defense told the
court that he was unaware of the finding
OF new indictment until last night He,
therefore asked for a postponement until
tomorrow. This was opposed by Attorney
Allen, who argued that the same witnesses
would serve as on the former Indictment.
1t was finally decided to go into the case
this afternoon hearing the governments
testimony
Letters containing alleged obscene and
scurrllous personal attacks were placed in
evidence by the prosecution, which attempt
ed to fdSten anthOrShip Webster The
case Will probably consume all of tomor-
row and may not end until Saturday.
Plea of Guilty.
George w. Taylor, colored alias George
Taylor, indicted for presenting fraudulent
claims for pension covering a period of
hVe years, as stated in The Star yester-
day, was arragned. Special Pension EX-
am1ner Roome was placed on the stand.
He stated that he had had a talk with the
prisoner at his home in Fauquier county,
in which Taylor said he had never served,
as he had claimed, in Company B, Sd Penn
sylvania Cavalry. AT the time the state
ment was made, witness said, the prisoner
was aware that it would be used against
MIN. No other evidence was gone into, as
the prisoner decided to enter a plea of
guilty. Judge Waddill fixed his term at
one year and one day in the penitentiary
at Atlanta, Ga, remarking that the mini
mum penalty was imposed as Taylor had
dlieouy spent muCn Tune IN JAN. He was
represented by Attorney Samuel G. Brent.
Trial of John Homer.
John Homer, the coored prisoner &C
cused Of attempting a criminal assault
who was brought here last week to escape
the fury of a mob in Westmoreland county,
will be taken to Mor,tross the 2Sth instant
This is the date for the regular session
of the county court and his case will be
investigated the following day. Homer will
be placed on board the steamer Harry
Randall at the wharf here and will be
conveyed to a landing point in Westmore-
land county, whence he will be conveyed
overland to Montross. City Sergeant Cox
today received information to this effect
from one Of the officials of the county.
1t was stated that there might be some
doubt as to Homer being the man who at
tempted the assault This statement it
would seen, makes the prospect for Homer
much more hopeful than it before appear
ed. The authorities hope that the law will
be permitted to take it's course. Neverthe-
less it is feared that an attempt will be
made to lynch the prisoner when he is
taken back to Montross. There has been
a rumor to- the effect that Governor Mon
tague might call out the Fredericksburg
militia to protect Homer at the trial, but
this will probably be determined upon me
advice of local officials later on
Meeting of Christ Church Vestry.
A meeting of the vestry of Christ Church
" e'S iieiu last lllSHt " COuSlUeT calling rec
tor to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna-
ton of Rev. Bergman Green who accepted a
professorship at the Episcopal Theological
Seminary. The meeting was held behind
closed doors. The members later declined
to state what action had been taken. as
publicity at this time would be contrary to
church polity. There is a strong sentiment
in the congregation in favor of having Rev
DR.. w. E. Evans, rector of Monumental
Church, Richmond. DR.. Evans has preach
ed several sermons in Christ Church, and
has become very popular here. He has
been in charge of Monumental Church two
years. and intelligence from Richmond is
to the effect that his congregation will en-
deavor to prevent his accepting a call.
Struck by Lightning.
In the severe thunderstorm which passed
over this city last night George Derrick
colored laborer, residing In a court between
Oronoco, Princess, Royal and Pitt streets.
was struck by lightning, narrowly escap-
ing instant death. Derricks underclothes
were ignted, and the whole left side of his
body badly burned. 1t was a strange
circumstance that his coat and pants re-
manned uniniured. Articles in the room
were set on fire. but the flames were extin-
gushed without the aid of the fire depart
ment.
General Matters
The Alexandria Light Infantry. Cant
King, will go into camp with COMPANY G
of Richmond, Capt. Shacklefore at Ocean
View the latter part Of this month The en-
campment will last ten days. The local
militia will leave here the evening of the
10Th instant
The funeral of Mrs. Mary E. Ryan, whose
death occurred Tuesday, took place this
morning at 1890 o'clock from ST. Mary's
Catholic Church. 1nterment was made in
ST. Mary's cemetery.
AS a result of the crusade of the police
department against unlicensed dogs a large
number of the animals have been sent out
of the city Owners are now paying licenses
and fines as well. The license amounts to
81 so and the fine is at least 81.
In the police court this morning Sarah
Haney colored was before Mayor Simpson
charged with assaulting Betsey White. A
fine of 81 80 was imposed. For assaulting
Daisey Barney, cotored,,s Sarah Levi also
colored was assessed the same amount,
as was also the Barley woman in turn, the