Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-12
EXANDRIA AFFAIRS
CASE OF ROBERT W. FRENCH Be
FORE THE COURT.
Had Been Adjudged to Be Incapable Of
Caring for Estate-Gen-
eral Items.
Evening Star Bureau,
701 King st.


ALEXANDRIA, Va, May IL. 1903.
The case of Robert w. French, who was
adjudged incapable of managing his own
affairs by a commission last week, came up
this morning at 10 o'clock before Judge
Louis c. Barley in the corporation court on
an application for writ of habeas corpus
applied for by Attorneys Lewis H. Machen
and Richard c. L. Moncure, counsel for
Mr.. French. Most of the morning session
was taken up with argument as to the
validity of the action Of the commission.
and the case had not been concluded when
this report closed. Attorney Dougles Stu
art appeared in the interest of Mrs. French,
at whose instance her husband was lodged
in Jail and examined as to his sanity. A
copy of the proceedings of the commission
and the evidence taken before that body
was admitted as evidence. Mr.. Machen
opened for his side, stating to the court
that he proposed to prove that the action
of the commission was irregular and with
out legal sanction. and that the investiga-
ton took place without the knowledge of
the principal and without his being pres
ent. This point was sustained by the court,
which granted the petition, and Mr.. French
was dismissed. He was thereupon again
placed under arrest for examination before
commission properly constituted and sit
ting according to law. The date for this
examination was not stated in court, but
mission will be composed as 1t was before.
Mr.. French was confined in Jail last week
upon a commitment issued by Justice of the
Peace julius Pelton. Later a commission
and Drs. George T. Klipstein and William
M. Smith. This body examined several
witnesses and came to the conclusion
stated. It was understood that it was the
intention of those who instigated the pro-
ceedfngs to have Mr.. French removed to
the asylum at Staunton or some other luna
tic asylum in the state. AS soon he
learned This he employed counsel to fight it
in the courts. A few years ago Mr.. French
was the proprietor Of one of the largest
book stores in Virginia.
Alleged Incendiary Fire.
The fire department was called out about
0 o'clock last night for blaze in an I'M
occupied building in alley running be-
tween st. Asaph and Pitt streets. The
engines were soon pouring heavy streams
of water on the flames. which were speedily
extinguished although at first the sur
rounding property was threatened. The
fire was confined to the second story of the
building. This house was discovered to
be in flames about two weeks ago, and II Is
believed that both fires were of incendiary
origin.
Wills Probated.
The will of the late Mrs. Martha Jane
Carlin was admitted to probate in the cor
porat1on court yesterday afternoon. The
estate, which is valued at $4,000, was left
in equal shares to the five children of the
deceased. William H. Lambert, who was
named as executor, having declined to
serve, the court, upon the request Of the
heirs, appointed Worth Hulfish as admin
istrator The will of the late Mrs. Phip-
ippina Gaines was also admitted to pro-
bate in the corporation court yesterday,
and MesSrs August Winteroll and Ludwig
Kraft qualified executors. The estate
was left to the children Of the deceased
Messrs. Henry Strauss, ]. Sidney Douglas
and Isaac Eichberg were named as APP
praisers.
Brief Mention.
Miss Elizabeth ELAN and Mr.. William w.
Clarridge both of Washington, were quiet
ly married last evening at the parsonage
of the Methodist Protestant Church here
The ceremony was performed by Rev. j.
H. s. Ewell, the pastor, in the presence of
a few friends of the two families.
Mr.. and Mrs. Howard Corbitt of Suffolk,
Va, are the guests of Mr.. and Mrs. H. c.
AnSley, parents of Mr.. Corbitt, at their
home on Prince street.
The second game of the season between
the Episcopal High School base ball team
and the team from Woodbury. Forest
School will be played here Saturday after
noon.