Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-12
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
DEATH OF JOHN S. BEACH, CLERK
OF TWO COURTS.
Popular Official the Victim Of Heart
Trouble-Damage Suits Concluded
General News.
Special Correspondence of The Star

a.
Mr.. John S. Beach, clerk of the cor
poration court and the circuit court for
this city, died last night about II o'clock
after a lingering Illness at his home. AS
North st. Asaph street. in the sixty ninth
year of his age Death was due to heart
trouble, from which Mr.. Beach had suf-
fered for several years He was unmarried
and is not survived by very near relatives.
The funeral services will be held early
Thursday morning al his late residence
and the remains will be forwarded to Lor-
ton. Fairfax county, for interment
Born in Fairfax county August ., 1887.
Mr. Beach came to this city in the latter
part of 1S45. He received a part of his
education at the old Alexandria Academy.
conducted by the late Robert L. Brockett.
In 1857 he opened a private school in Alex
andrfa, which he conducted successfully for
a number of years. Subsequently he was
made vice principal of the Washington
school.
When Col Morton Marye left the office
of the clerk of the city courts January l.
1884, Mr.. Beach was appointed to that posi-
ton. His success in the discharge or the
duties of the office, together with his high
character and gentlemanly and dfgnifed
bearing, won him an unusual degree OF
popularity, and he was reelected TO the
clerkshp at every election since his ap-
pointment On several occasions he was
returned to the office without opposition.
but a contest occurred In the democratic
primary last spring and he defeated his
opponent by large majority. Mr. Beach
was uniformly courteous and friendly. In
dispostion he was inclined to be retiring.
He was a member of the Alexandria Wash
ington Lodge of Masons, and also belonged
to the Bachelors Club
According to law Judge Barley of the
corporation court will make an appoint
ment to fill the Vacany in the clerkshlp
Until such appointment is announced the
regular business of the office will be suS
pended, as, under the statute, the official
functions of Mr.. Nevelle S. Greenaway. the
deputy clerk, ceased with the death of Mr..
Beach.
Damage Suits Disposed Of.
Judge Nicol's circuit court for Alexandria
county was again in session this morning
after being engaged all day yesterday with
suits for damages against the Washington,
Alexandria and Mount Vernon Railway
Company. Some cases were disposed OF, but
the suit of Miss Ida Breen against the
company for damages In the sum of $4,000
was continued until today. A compromise
| was reached IN the case of Miss Carrie G.
Halves who was awarded $500 damages
last week. Judge Nicol had set tomorrow
morning as the time for hearing argument
on a motion for new trial, but Attorneys
Moore & Cation, for the defendant company,
and Attorney John M. Johnson, for the
plaintiff, reached agreement whereby
Miss Halves will receive $500 in full Of
all claims. The suit of Mrs. Nettie Elsom
against the company WAS coiitiuueu Until
the October term. In the suit OF Richard
H. Cox, administrator Of Frederick l.
Schneider. who was killed in the Spring
Park collision. for the sum OF. $1,000, q
compromise was reached whereby the rail-
road company agreed to pay the sum of
81, 500. Attorney Samuel G. Brent repre-
Sented the plaintiff.
General Matters.
Mr. NJ B. Harlow, president of the Bush
ness Mems League, had an interview with
Commissioner of Internal Revenue Yerkes
in Washington yesterday afternoon In re-
gard to the proposed removal Of the in
ternaI revenue Office from this city to
Abingdon. Mr.. Harlow presented the claims
of Alexandria for the retention of the
Headquarters and was assured by the
commissioner that due weight would be
given to all the reasons set forth and that
the decision In the matter would not be
rendered for several days.
The fire department was called out about
midnight last night for blaze in small
frame house. used as lunch room, on
South Henry street near the Southern de-
pot The flames had gained considerable
| Roadway when the engines arrived, but the
| fire was prevented from spreading to the
adjacent buildings.
Attorney Samuel r. Fisher, the demo-
cratic nominee for corporation attorney,
was admitted to practice in the corporation
court yesterday. He was presented by Cor
poration Attorney Gardner l.. Boothe, who
will retire from office at the end of the
present term.
In the corporation court yesterday the will
of the late Donald Mclean was admitted
to probate. The estate of the deceased was
beQueathed to his infant son, James Doug
las Mclean, and Mr. Lewis II. Machen was
appointed guardian Of the son and executor
of the will.