Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-27
GEORGETOWN AFFAIRS
DARING HOLD-UP ON VALLEY
STREET LAST NIGHT.
Funeral Of Benjamin Walker at Family
Residence - Other Items
Of Interest.

DIR. c. w. Birdsall prominent physician
Of Georgetown, was the intended victim in
a daring hold-up on Valley street last night.
According to DR.. Birdsalrs own story of
the affair he was leaving the home Of a
patient about midnight when a burly col
ored man bumped squarey into him, num-
bling something, and making motion as If
to draw a revolver.
Just at this moment the physician, who Is
a man of powerful physique, jumped on his
assailant and gave him a good clubbing.
After beating him ilto a spirit of repent
ance and disarming him. the man was per-
mitted to go on his way.
DR.. Birdsall in relating his peculiar ex-
perience this morning, referred incidentally
to robberies which have been attempted In
the vicinity of Valley street during the last
few years This thoroughfare is not suffi-
GENTLY lighted with electric lights. 1t Is
stated, and the thickly shaded trees al this
point make 1t extremely hazardous for a
lady to pass along without an escort
While crossing the corner at 33d and .
streets northwest yesterday evening at 4
O'Clock Mrs. Martha Whalen of 1921 P
street ran into a large bob sled and was
knocked down. Several youths were upon
the sled at the time and it had gained con-
siderable speed, so that 1t was impossible
to stop it to prevent the injury. Mrs.
Whelan was slightly bruised about the
body and sustained slight scalp wound
upon the back of the head She was taken
to the Georgetown University Hospital,
where he wounds were ated. Her condi-
ton is not serious.
John Young, a man about twenty-five
years of age, residing at 36O6 T street
northwest, while walking along M street
yesterday afternoon about o'clock slipped
upon the ice-covered pavement and was
slightly injured. He received a slight scalp
wound which had to be treated at the
Georgetown University Hospital.
Funeral of Benjamin Walker.
Funeral services over the remains of Ben
jamin Walker, whose sudden death occur
red last Saturday evening at the home OF
his daughter. Mrs Sarah E. Philips, 1915
33d street northwest, were conducted at
the family residence at 1890 o'clock this
morning. Rev. w. c. Alexander. pastor of
the West Street Presbyterian Church. OF
which the deceased was for several years a
member, officiated. 1nterment was made In
Oak Hill cemetery.
Mr.. Walker was in the eighty-frst year
Of his age at the time of his death, and
succumbed to heart failure. He was born
in England. but moved to this country
nearly a half century ago. The last few
years Of his life were spent In this city
with his children. most of whom are now
located here. He was the father of George
H. Walker. grand captain general of the
Knights Templar of this city. Three other
sons-Frank B. Walker Of this city and
of California-and one daughter, Mrs. s. E.
Phillips Of this city, survive him:
Requiem mass was said at the Holy Trim
ity Church, Georgetown, at o'clock this
morning for the repose of the soul of Har-
riet Coffey, aged fifty-five years. whose
death occurred Saturday last. Rev. Father
Samuel CahilI. assistant pastor of Holy
Trinity, conducted the ceremonies. The
body was inferred in Holy Rood cemetery.
Mrs; .Coffey was born In the District OF CO
here. She had been in i'll health during the
last few months, and was finally conveyed
to the Georgetown University Hospital for
there as stated. She lived at 1872 18th
street.
Arthur Young. an aged colored man liv-
ing at 220l L street, while on 2lth street
between Olive avenue and N street last
night about 7:3O o'clock, lost his footing
and fell to the sidewalk, bruising himself
ambulance was summoned at once. and the
man was taken to the Georgetown Univer-
sity Hospital. Improvement is noted in
Maria Perry, a young colored woman, also
sustained slight injuries because Of the
ice-covered payements on p street near
the corner of oath. She sprained her right
ankle and was otherwise bruised.
Brief Items.
Lieutenant w. w. Jordan, commanding
the seventh precinct who was taken with
an attack of acute indigestion several days
ago, was reported slightly improved this
morning. During his absence, Sergeant
E. j. Keefe has assumed his duties.
The Christmas festival and celebration
of the Sunday school Of st. Johns EpfS-
copal Church will be held this evening at
o. clock in the Sunday school auditorium.
The committee has arranged an elaborate
program, including literary and musical
features. large Christmas tree covered
with appropriate presents for the children
will be the feature of the occasion.
Nothing Of definite character has yet
been divulged by the Georgetown Lutheran
Church Council with reference to the Sc
lection Of a permanent pastor. A meeting
was held Thursday evening and important
matters relative to the selection of a min
lister are said to have been under discus
sion Rev. Mr.; Poffenberger, one of the
prominent candidates for the place, will
ministers who have filed applications with
the board, will, 1t is stated, be heard each
succeeding Sabbath by the congregation
for some time.
High mass will be celebrated at Holy
Trinity Church tomorrow morning for the
repose of the soul of Captain Harry Mills,
the veteran tugboat captain whose death
occurred at o'clock Sunday morning at
his residence 3G03 N street, Georgetown.
Captain Mills was a native of New Eng
land. having been born in Massachusetts
slxty-two years ago. He came to Wash
ington at the age of fifteen years and has
since resided here. He was one of the pioneer
captains on the Potomac river. and had
hosts of friends. wife and several chill
dren survive him The body will be in
TERED in Holy Rood cemetery.
Second Fire at Club House.