Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-08-20
But Lewis Alexander is Very
Much Alive.
A REMARKABLE STORY
HE TALKS TO A STAR REPORTER
TODAY.
Mystery Of His Bringing UP by the
Colored Woman, Mary Almaro-
liza, Recently Deceased.

Although officially dead and in his grave
in a Washington cemetery, with neat
marble headstone marking his alleged last
resting place Lewis Alexander Is still very
much in the flesh and talked entertaining,y
with Star reporter today about the mys-
teries of his life which, according to the
District records, ended nearly twen:y-elght
years ago.
The life story of Lewis Alexander is one
of society's sidelghts at the capital. and
illustrates phase of the undercurren.
which seldom comes to the surface. This
young white man was reared from his earli-
est infancy by Mary Almarolia portly
colored woman. and the daughter of Mike
Sinner a well-known free negro of Fast
WASHINGTON Sinner Is said to have owned
much property in that section of the city,
which came into his possession before he
civil war. exclusively told several days
ago by The Star. This real estate ana
some money was left to his daughter, MARY,
at his death.
Mary Sinner always declared she would
never marry a colored man. although sue
was nearly a full-blooded negress herseI.
and she frequently said if she could not
have a white husband she would i've anu
die a single woman. Finally she became
acquainted with a very stout Italian named
Joseph AlmarOlld. WHO yediS a6O
fruit stand at 7th street and Louisiana
avenue and married him. His death oc
CURED several years later ana size i'e
remarked.
A Strange Life Story.
The strange life story of Lewis Alexander
came to light as a sequel to the woman
death last Tuesday at a small hotei she was
conducting at 80 C street northwest nv
statement was made that she hao iei' an
her property to Lewis and Joseph AieN
andar her two white wards. TINS state
80. ,,,ju he verified it is said, tins even
ing when the lawyers will open ana ie'u
the will 49, ,,roviso
should the instrument make the provlso
stated Charles and jamie Grayson' heSioe
80 IT, in baltimore threaten to contest
tha matter before the courts. IheS Claim
to he nIeces of the dead woman but souhs
Alexander states they are not pioou I. s
lives being children of stepslster Vi 'ie
deceased ,;ch+
yes" said Lewis Alexander, bright
intelligent young man. to star repo' ~, tsa
today Il am not supposed 10 De III 'he
land of the living. and a pretty tombstone
with a little cherub carved on IL MARKS
INV grave in one of the Washington GENIE
teries Beneath the mound is tiny comm
in which my baby remains were suppoSeu
to have been Inferred But, notwlthstano-
ing nv death and burial, here L am, not III
the spirit either. but in the flesh. mare
and hearty young man of nearly twenty
oil
rights in two directions with all the force
j possess.
A Mysterious Percentage.
The story of Lewis life was then related
by one who is familiar with the facts, and
was corroborated by the young man him
self from written information in his pos
session. Early In 1876 a young woman,
said to have been prominent in Washington
society circles was brought to the res
idence of Mary Almarolia in Southeast
Washington by man. who, II Is Claimed:
was prominent In District financial and
stock circles. and who at one time is said
to have represented the United states as
minister in a foreign country. This man
was native of Kentucky, 1t was added
but had spent nearly all his life in this
city, where he attained prominence in the
directions stated.
The young woman remained at the AL
marolia house several weeks until child
Lewis Alexander born, as shown by
tie records of the District health depart
ment. When able to leave the place she re-
turned to her friends. the infant being left
in the hands of the negro woman, who was
Instructed to rear it. If it lived but in total
ignorance of its parentage and the circum-
stances of its birth. Mary Almarolia was
crafty woman. and decided upon pro-
gram. which she carried out to the letter.
She notified the parents of the little one
within month after its birth that 1t had
died of hamilton.
A Mock Burial
The father. without making an investiga-
ton. gave the woman money for the sup
posed burial of his offspring and told her
to have suitable tombstone placed over
the little grave. A coffin purchased
into which was placed a dummy corpse
Those who claim to know say a remark
ably lfe-lke doll baby of large size fig
ured the tiny corpse. This was placed
In Fri mi 1 nv Ma
Almaroia, was taken to local cemetery
and inferred. whether with or without reli-
gfous rites is not known.
A return of the bogus death and burial
was made to the health office in some man
ner not yet revealed, ii is sthated, and
Lewis Alexander is dead so far as the
health records are concerned. The father.
who was reported to be quite wealthy and
the mother are both dead, and 1t IL said
the fathers property went to his nearest
OF kin. who are said to be nephews and
nieCeS.
When asked what steps he would take in
the matter Lewis Alexander said today:
They seem to be afraid l will adopt my
fathers name. but have no present inten-
ton of doing So l am however. certainly
entitled to some of his wealth. He was
responsible for my birth and / am his son.
for | know that he married my mother a
few weeks before my birth. although he
deserted her afterward. secured divorce
quietly and married again As to the
taken solemn oath never to reveal them
save in self-defense. | intend to fight for
my rights and If the other secrets come
out 1t will not be my fault.
Entitled to Some of Fathers Wealth.
Il am an electrician and have good
education" continued the young man, land
am capable of earning a livelihood but l
am certainly entitled to something from
my fathers estate. and am going to have
1t. II possible"
Lewis said he had been approached re-
Gently by prosperous looking man who
patted him on the shoulder and advised
him to take a trip abroad.
Go TO Europe and get out of this tur-
mol and scandal. said the stranger. land
then come back and settle in the far west"
This man.. continued Alexander init
mated that all my expenses would be paid
from some source II l would agree to go
Tar away from here. But / declined to
go. Intend to camp right here in WASH
fngton until | am righted."
Referring to some of the newspaper stor-
les that have been published about this
case. Mr.. Alexander said they contained