Evening star., 1904-01-01


fatally injuring him. Bernard p. Smith.
marine. fell from window in the hospital
at the navy yard October and was killed.
Sarah Allison. fifty-six years old: died Oc-
tober 16 from injuries received by falling
down fight of stairs at her home. Harry
Hamilton was fatally injured several days
later by striking his head against the
sidewalk at the corner Of North Capitol
and F streets. Charles Howard. colored,
fell from his express wagon October q,
receiving injuries which caused his death
short time later. Thomas Perry was run
over and killed by lumber wagon i'll Ana
costa during the first week in November:
Daisy Flynn. colored. was instantly killed
November Is by falling down the elevator
shaft at the Albemarle flats. James 4.
Parsly died in hospital November 30
from injuries received by falling down on
the street. An overturned wagon. on which
he was riding, was responsible 1or tne
excessive heat of July 4 was responsible
for the deaths of Charles Small and Henry
Pinkney.
Fire Department and Fires.
The most important event of the year in
the fire department was the change In Its
official head. Mr.. Robert w. Dutton was
legislated out of Office by terms Of the Dis
trict appropriation bill, which required the
head of the department to have had at least
five years actual service as a member OF
some organized municipal fire department.
Mr.. Dutton rendered his resigna ton to take
effect July 1. He reltnQuished command
June Ii, and First Assistant Chief william
T. Belt succeeded him.
The early part of last January Mr d q.
Coleman, superintendent of repairs, called
the attention of the Commissioners to the
insanitary conditions of the older hre en-
gine houses and asked for additional FUNDS
to make the necessary repairs. Three or
the most modern fire engines were added to
the department the same month. after pc
ing thoroughly tested, which test proved
successful.
The establishment of an insurance patrol
or salvage corps as an auxiliary to the nre
department was advocated the early part
of the year. 1t is still under consideration.
Fireman John Daily of No. engine COM
pany was advanced four numbers for
bravery in connection with collision Jan
uary % between that engine and a street
car The philanthropically disposed people
of the District advocated the establishment
of a fund, by contributions, to buy coffee
for the firemen at fires. Liberal contribu-
tions were received and coffee was distrib-
uted with a free hand to the hremen at
fires during the cold weather
Assistant Chief William Z. SorreH was
retired March 20. and A. j. Sullivan, senior
foreman, was promoted to fill the vacancy.
Chief Belt made tour of inspection OF tne
public school buildings, with view to ap-
plying an available fund of S2,4O0 to equip
ping the structures with fire escapes. In
his annual report, made public septempeI =
Chief Belt asked for appropriations 1or the
ensuing fiscal year of $653,S1o, an increase
of s2s1 $50 over the previous year estimates.
The annual report of the department snow
ed $40 alarms answered, OF wnicn NUMBER
fifty-six were false. Chief Belt, IN the re-
port estimated the damage by hre 10 prop
erty during the year to be 81, 153,S72, ana
urged an increase in pay for the employees.
The latter part of October an agitation was
started for the limitation OF the sale OF
gasoline.
The annual parade and drill was held No
yember 4. Engine No. 10 proved the sue
cessful contestant and was awarded tne
flag.
The Commissioners. early last month. Tor
warded bill to Congress urging the crea-
ton of the Office of superintendent OF the
fire department.
The ma jority of the fires during the past
year were not of a serious character. rms,
however was due to the prompt work OF
the department, and, so far as is known no
member of the department lost his life In
the performance of his duties.
The home of Col. Henry May, at l''2o X
street. was damaged to the extent Of about
5000 by fire January 20. The Lawrence
Hotel was discovered on fire carly the
morning of February 13. After some DIM
Guilty the flames were eXtinguished. The
building and contents were damaged to the
extent of about 5000. Damage in the sum
of about s4 coo was done by a fire in a junk
shop at 1725 7th street February 10.
- The highest number of fires in one day
occurred February 49, Moses factory, at
14th and streets, was completely gutted.
entailing loss of about $4,000. The other
fires were not of serious character. VIE
gand's MILL on Maryland avenue southwest,
was badly damaged by fire April IL. The
damage was estimated at 5000. Loss in a
like sum was caused by a fire at ChriSwell' S
feed house. and the Green Meadow dairy,
On North Capitol street near + street, April
"a The ferry boat Columbia, plying be-
citv Alexandria
to the waters edge the evening of May A.
The vessel was valued at $4,000. The Ju-
Illus Lansburgh Furniture Company sus-
tained q loss of $4,000 by destructive fire
at it's warehouse, which occurred May 25.
The FendaH building was discovered to be
on fire early the morning of June IL. The
fire was confined to the upper portion of
the building, and caused a loss of $40 600
A $500 fire occurred at the Regent Hotel
the morning Of September 5. The most dis
astrous fire of the year was that at the
DaiSh elevator, on Florida avenue north
east. which occurred October 10. The build
ing was razed to the ground. The loss was
estimated at 100000
Trials in Criminal Courts.
A number of trials of interest occurred
in the local criminal courts during the past
year. Charles Thorn, who caused the death
Of his wife, Ida. was sentenced to peniten-
tiary imprisonment for twelve years. Ben
JdIiiH IT, Hill WIS convicted or the murder
of his wife, Carrie Theoda Hill, and sem
fenced to death. John Roland Johnson ac-
cused of shooting Maj. George A. Armes
with intent to kill him, was tried and ac-
quilted. The trial of ex-PoIiceman Will
liam Johnson, accused of assaulting two
of his brother officers with intent to kill
them, resulted in verdict of not guilty by
reason Of insanity. A verdict Of guilty Of
simple assault was rendered in the case of
Frederick c. Seton, accused Of assaulting
his brother Anthony W. Seton, jr.. with a
dangerous weapon. Samuel Sims, accused
of the murder Of James Williams, was ac-
quilted. Thomas NJ. Joyce, tried under an
indictment for murder in the first degree,
in connection with the death OF Henry Hall,
was convicted of murder in the second de-
gree. verdict of manslaughter was rem
dered in the case Of James Butler, who
caused the death of his stepfather, Joseph
Green, and who was tried ON charge of
murder in the first degree.
John Burley, colored, was convicted OF
rape. and the jury added to it's verdict OF
guilty the words, with the death pen
atty" Such a verdict is authorized by the
new code of law. The Burley case is the
first instance of the death penalty being
imposed in the District of Columbia for
rape.
Police News.
The year has been eventful for the police
force of the District of Columbia. The
J,a