Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-06-14

ARREST OF MISS Shortly after
seven o'clock yesterday evening the
quiet of The city was broken by an iD-
cldeut which caused much comment
aud sincere regret. 1t was the arrest
and escorting through the principal
street Of Miss Mary Gusts Lee. 1t oc'
CURED at an unfortunate hour when
Kiog It 'eet was al I've with people and
when nearly every one living on the
thoroughfsre or conducting business
thereon was 10 front OF their houses or
stores enjoying the cool breeze which
was being waited from the northwest.
The arrest occurred on car at Payne
stree and in q few minutes the news
of the affair bad reached every quarter
of the city. The cause of the trouble
was an infraction of the separate seat
Law now 10 operst on on the electric rail-
way, Miss Lee had declined 10 otey the
law after the conductor had requested
her to tske ssat Ia the portion OF the
coach set apart for white people. She
had declined for reasons che bel eVs d
sufficient. The sub tipce of the case Ia
about as follows: Mlts Lee took the Car
in Washing ~ fJr this city, occupying
one of the seats reserved for coiored
people, and tar the Long Bridge bad
been crossed she was approached by
Conductor Thomas ChauDcey with the
request that she move to the front Sec
ton of the car. AT that time Ni's Lse
said, everybody 10 the car was SET I'D.
The law was cited but she prott ed
against being moved, explaining to the
official how she yes situated il regard
TO the moving of her heavy baggage.
The point was not pressed just q, that
iuncture, but few mioutes later a col"
ored man entered Tue coach and the con-
dutt1r came back after her seat. Again
che protested, asking why the man could
not be made to ride 10 the smoker.
ThereupoO the conductor called her at
tentiun TO the fact that she " 10 liable
to arrest. He kept coming back DOW
then, saying that be would have 10 place
her In custody until she finally told him
to do as be pleased. A telephone mes.
sage was ssIt TO this city and when the
train reached Payne street. the two Off.
GERS boarded It and took positions
alongside OF Miss Lee. Before the cars
reached Royal street a crowd had gst1-
cred, il having been noised around that
Miss Lee was under arrett and a throDg
of people crowded srouud the coaches
while Miss Lee was icing helped to the
pavement. 1t required sometime TO
unload her baggage, which coDsi't ID OF
a heavy travelling case and several
other BUNDLES. Although the policemen
endeavored to keep the crowd back It
was to no purpose. When the station
house was reached the pavement was
black with people. Chief Webster and
Lieutenant Smith were sitting 10 front
of police headquarters when the party
arrived. Ia order to divide attention
as much as possible Officer Belts es-
ooit ID Miss Lee around by the market
building. while Officer Sherwood, carry
ing the travelling bag aud bundles, went
by another route. The policemen i'm
medislely stated the case ID the
chief. Mr.. Wm. F. Csrne. who was
acquainted with Mics Lee, was
on the spot, and to him and
Chief Webs t r she made her statement.
Here she waited for the decision Of the
officers as ID what disposition should
be made OF the ca e. They decided to
confer with Mayor Simpson. Lieuten-
ant Smith called the mayor over the
telephone, stating the circumstances.
Mayor Simpson directed the officers to
release Miss Lee on her personal recoe.
Nance to appear in the police court
this morning q 10 O'Clock to answer
T. the charge, preferred against her.
Miss Lee lett the stationhouse, &C.
companied by several Confederate
vat srans, aud went to the house OF Mrs.
P. T. Ysstmsn, 900 north Washington
street, where she was expected IS
quest. There were willing hands to
convey the heavy luggage which had
been partly responsible for the most
embarrassing situation. Although she
manifested such admirable composure
before the crowd eft the st ton house.
she was visibly affected after toe ordeal
was over. Mics Lee averred that she
knew nothing OF the new law regard
lng the separation of the races.
Inc case was called By Mayor Simp-
SOD at ten O'Clock this morning aud
Miss Lee falling to appear he declared
the So collateral left for her snnear.
Ance by her friends forfeited The
Msyor, however, said he purnosed
examining the case for the banaft ~
the electric railway company in order
that they could be set right before 5e
community. The evidence In ,he
main of Officers Bettis and Shervood