Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-08-20
POOR FRANK K. WARD
His Remarkable Career and
Tragic Ending.
LEGIONS OF FRIENDS
THEY STOOD BY HIM WHEN
CHARGED WITH MURDER.
His Business Ruined, He Sought Solace
in Drink and Finally Found
Death.
LEGIONS OF FRIENDS

Death.
Frank K Ward was Washingtonian
who left his footprints on the sands of
time" and the Potomac and crumbling, sor-
rowful monuments behind him to his men,
DRY.
The writer first met Ward about thirty
years ago. He came into a cigar store I'M
der the National Hotel and made request
for empty cigar box, particular box
because of the label which he described 1t
was a dairy scene, the pretty milkmaid be-
ing represented as milking the COW. She
was interrupted by a loving swain, who at
tempted to kiss her. The maid turned the
tables upon him and likewise the cows
udder, and the copious tactical discharge
struck him full In his face. The legend be-
low the picture on the label ran, Il guess
not"
Ward was about to engage in the milk
and dairy business, and later I saw a
gaudy reproduction of the label. in oil, In
front of his first establishment in Sd street
near northwest.
Before and at the advent of Frank Ward
the milk business in Washington and the
District of Columbia was in crude and
sorry condition.
Where Frank Ward came from no one
seemed to know or to care. He made con-
tracts covering and embracing the whole
city, the suburbs and environs of Washing
ton, even the adjoining counties of Mary
land and Virginia, and, with the two great
railroad companies to deliver promptly and
at stated hours cars freighted with the best
product of the best diaries, he built up
thriving business. Refrigerating cars for
the industry were established by Ward. He
was here, there and everywhere, and watch
ed the slightest details of his business.
80 %lx1 III lyo%xy tloy
dated wagon, with half-fed horse, Of the
old-time milkman, with his jngling, jan
Cling hand bell, disappeared. Well-groomed
horses and handsome wagons made the
rounds. Ward soon drove off all possible COM
petition But the mans heart never chang
ed, although maybe his head did. He never
grew dizzy from his wealth or success, but
unfortunately his overworked brain and
nerves. or possibly some inherited or con-
genital weakness. led him to have occa-
sional recourse to stimulants. He was a
man after Gods own heart, in sympathy
with the poor and distressed. and his hand
was ever ready and his pocket book open
to assist the needy. He was full Of tollity,
companionship; the life and soul of any
company he was in. All loved him, all re-
spected him.
Originated the Dairy Lunch.
In conjunction with his milk business he
established a new thing in Washington,
the dairy lunch on E near 7th street, on Sd
near D northwest and on D near 10th north
west. Ward was the pioneer in that indus
try. and he has countless followers
and imitators all over the Union. 1t has
been great and potent influence and help
in the cause of morality, temperance and
godliness in the land.
Wards troubles did not begin with his
habits of overstimulation. The first cloud
that lowered on his house and fortunes de-
scended upon him in connection with his
store rooms and stables at the foot of Sd
street northwest near D and Indiana ave-
nue.. This was his depot and headquarters
from which he dispensed his Incompatible
sanitary milk.
Right around the corner on Indiana ave.
nue. and near to the stables lived James
Vaudeville Carlisle, lawyer and advocate.
DIR. j. 8 Blake was vis-a-vis to him on the
avenue, while the prominent lawyer Fem
dali was established on the corner of ~
street opposite the city hall. They OBJ
tected to the noise. the rafting of milk
at the milk depot. They got out an in
junction. but he soon opened up again
on D street northwest near 10th On
class shs da r un Hs5 q. Gsnsa
pered here. Money rolled in upon him day
and night. Prosperity and adversely
equally made poor Frank Wards head
swim. He never became arrogant and he
had a heart that hardships could not
harden. His hand was open as the day. his
kind heart as open as his genial, honest,
smiling countenance, and everybody knew
him and was glad to meet him.
The sun Of prosperity never shone
brighter upon him and all his enterprises
than that day when 1t goldenly departed in
the west, dazzlingly reflected In the waters
of the Potomac. and Frank Ward went
down the basement stairs Of the Marble
Saloon. at the southwest corner Of 9th street
northwest and Pennsylvania avenue.
Beginning Of the End.
Ward that night, rather more than usual.
had yielded to his procliviues toward con-
VITALITY and was going the rounds, seek
ing what the boys call good company. 1t
couldn't have been Frank Wards fault, for
he was never quarrelsome. even In his cups
Nor does any one blame Maurice Adler The
two men had not even met before. Unac-
quainted unintroduced, totally unknown to
each other, Ward addressed a few hilarious
words to the other and there was no dis
tinctly audible reply. One or two witnesses
observed Ward back a few PAGES. rapidly
draw a revolver from a hip pocket, cock
and discharge one barrel In a direction in
which Adler was not
The argument of Lawyer Jere Wilson
was that Ward, in spirit Of child play,
pulled out the pistol and fired at one Of the
iron columns supporting the ceiling. near
which no one was standing. and the bullet
was DETECTED, entering the back Of the neck
of Adler, who was standing at the bar some
ten or fifteen feet below him. separated by
officer, high in rank. a friend, came forward
on the trial and gave expert testimony to
the effect that a bullet can and often does
become so DETECTED. This testimony had
great weight along with the personal char
acter of the accused.
Ward was committed to jail to await the
results of Adlers injuries. All know how
long poor Adler struggled for his life. A
few days before Adler's death Ward was
released on bail. On announcement of the
death of Adler, Ward. of course surren-
dered himself and was recommitted to Jail
on the charge of murder in the first de-
gree.
The trial was long and ably contested
and at last resulted in his acquittal, amid
the congratulations of Judge. jury, a crowd
ed court room and an outside cheering
crowd of sympathizers unable to obtain
admission
But to the tender conscience and sensi-
bilities of poor Frank Ward there could be
no acquittal except at the Throne of Grace.
He received the warmest congratulations
from host of friends. but his proud.
youthful spirit his indomitable energy were
spent and broken and II evident he
would never be the same Frank Ward His
enterprise by this time was in other hands
and the greater part Of all his money in
other pockets than his own. Remorse.