Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-07
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
HISTORIC HOUSES DESTROYED By
FIRE
Four Mile Run Home of Actors Dew
astated by Flames-Gen-
eral Notes.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star
ALEXANDRIA, Va, November z. 1904
The Evening Star has arranged with
Mr.. A. 8. Doniphan to have displayed
full and complete election returns to-
morrow night In front of his store,
corner King and Washington streets.
The Same methods that have prevailed
in former years with such marked sue
cess will be used.
Arrangements have been made for the
use of an enormous stereopticon. The
Postal Telegraph and long distance
telephone bulletins will be announced.
and a megaphone will also be brought
into service.
Prof. Clyde will render on the cornet
Navajo" Dixie" and other popular
airs.
1t will be unnecessary for residents OF
Alexandria to visit Washington for
election returns. as the same informa-
ton can be obtained at home, inter-
spersed with popular airs.
Fire yesterday afternoon completely de-
stroyed the group of houses belonging to
Mrs. Thomas Taylor, Messrs James I. Gal
lOway, George w. Denham. Morgan A.
Sherwood and Walter Allen situated at
flames started in the cottage owned by
Messrs. Sherwood and Allen about o'clock
In the afternoon, and spread so rapidly that
in two hours all Of the buildings had been
consumed. The little group Of houses, situ-
ated in picturesque spot on the south
bank of a small tributary to the Potomac,
has been for many years well known to
leading characters In the theatrical world.
Shortly before 1 o'clock a big fire had
been kindled in the open fireplace in the
cottage of Messrs. Sherwood and Allen.
and when Mr.. Sherwood and others left
the house for a few minutes the flames
caught in the surrounding woodwork. The
blaze. which was famed by considerable
breeze, attracted the attention of the neigh
bors well of several members Of a
railroad construction force, whose camp
was located nearby. These worked hard to
save the houses. but their efforts were I'M
awaiting. The brick house occupied by
Mrs. Taylor was one of the landmarks of
the county. 1t was nearly 100 years old,
and was the property of Alexandria county.
The house was uninsured. Nearly all the
effects of Mrs Taylor and her daughter
were saved. but valuable collection of
original photograS hs, books and papers and
several guns and fishing tackle belonging to
Mr.. Jesse Middleton of Washington were
lost.
Many valuable relics of the American
stage were destroyed in the cottage of
Messrs Sherwood and Allen.
The loss sustained by Messrs. Denham
and Galloway, who were away yesterday.
could not be ascertained but 1t Is known
that several rare prints and photographs
bearing the signatures of distinguished
men Of the American stage were destroyed.
The buildings were covered by insurance,
but there was no protection on the con-
tents.
Local Orators Speak.
The final local democratic rally held in
the opera house Saturday night attracted a
large and enthusiastic audience, many
ladies being among those occupying seats
in the galleries. Chairman Charles Bend
helm of the city democratic committee pre-
sided and introduced the speakers The
music was furnished by fistorio's band of
Washington. Mr.. James NJ. Cation delegate
from this city and county in the state legis-
lature. was first introduced. His presenta-
ton by the chairman as the next lieuten-
ant governor of the state" was followed by
prolonged applause His speech. which was
continually interrupted by cheering, fur
nished many facts and figures in support
of his argument for the election of Parker
and Davis.
State Senator Lewis H. Machen, who fol-
lowed. spoke so pleasngly and convincingly
that at the conclusion of an hours address
he besought to continue. His argu-
ments on the tariff question were especially
applauded.
Commonwealth Attorney Samuel G.
Brent. who as gold democrat eight
years ago was not in line with the party,
made brief and felicitous address, predict
the great democratic party Tapping to-
gether.' His remarks were loudly cheered.
Referred to Grand Jury.
A white man giving his name al John H.
Gordon and a colored man named John
Thomas were before Justice Cation in the
Police Court this morning on the charge of
stealing lot of merchandise from the cars
of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com
pany. They were arrested by Officers May
hugh. Belts and Knight and Special Of
ficer Garner. Some Of the goods were re-
covered from Thomas home, but he de-
clared that he had bought them. Gordon
however, made written confession of the
theft and both were sent on to the grand
jury.
colored arrested by Officer Belts on the
charge of stealing clothes from H. Fried
lander, were each fined $40 and sentenced
to serve ninety days in the city Jail
General Matters.
Constable Mordeca Hurst of Fairfax
county, who was arrested Saturday morn
ing on the charge of having stolen goods
in his possession, was released later In the
day by Justice Cation after a conference
with railroad officials in this city, who ex-
planned to the justice that they had en-
gagged Constable Hurst to buy property
stolen from the railroad cars in this city
with a view of tracing the thieves. Mr.
Hurst was released on his own recognizance
to appear before Justice Cation November
10.
Mr.. c. c. Carlin, democratic presidential
electer for this district, closed his speaking
tour Saturday evening with an address be-
fore the voters of Warrenton, Fauquier
county.
Rev. J. P. Stump of the M. E. Church
South. who has been assisting Rev. Mr.
Strother In series of revival services at
Hamilton, has returned to this city.
The annual field day exercises at the
Episcopal High School, which were held
Saturday, were attended by several friends
of the school from this city.
Anacostia and Vicinity.