Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-20
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
FIRE IN STABLES AND WARE
HOUSE CAUSES LOSS OF $4,000.
Property Partly Covered by Insurance
Canvass for Clerkship Becomes
Acknowledgement News
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

ALEXANDRIA. Va, September 20. 1906
Eight large draft horses were cremated
and four coal wagons, together with a guam
tity of feed. harness and sundry articles.
were destroyed In the burning of the stables
and warehouses Of Messrs. Williams A.
Smoot & Co., coal dealers, at the corner OF
Union and Princess streets. which occurred
last night between II and IL o'clock, with q
total loss of about $4,000, only partly COW
cred by insurance. The fire was discovered
simultaneously by Frank Williams the
right watchman and Capt. Thomas Selec-
man Of the steamer Tull, which was moored
to a nearby wharf. The alarm was at once
turned in and the department Immediately
responded but by the time the engines
reached the scene the fire had gained con-
siderable Roadway in the woodwork OF the
stables which burned like finder. There
were fourteen horses in the stalls. ana
these were cut loose soon after the hre
broke out. Six Of them were saved, but the
other eight, valued altogether at from $l,1oo
to 81, Goo were burned A lot OF QueensWare
which belonged to the Miller Company, ana
which was stored in the upper story OF the
warehouse, was destroyed. In one OF the
apartments of the warehouse was nre en-
CINE belonging to Mr.. William A. Smoot,
which has been relied upon by the f1re de-
partment as reserve In case OF emergency
This was practically ruined
Difficult Task.
AS soon as they reached the scene the
freuen realized they had a very difficult
undertaking to prevent the flames from
spraa ding to adjoining buildings. Right
across Union street from the office or the
Smoot Company are situated the large
frame buildings of the Alexandria Fertilizer
and Chemical Company. For a time these
structures were in imminent danger. out
the dispatch with which the department
got into action and the energy with which
the men worked doubtless saved thus prop
erty from injury, If not destruction. But
the best efforts of the department failed 10
keep the flames from spreading TO some
freight cars on the tracks in the center
of the street. Among these was tank car
filed with Oil. The woodwork OF the car
was in flames and the oil was momentarily
expected to explode when a shifting en-
CINE reached the place. Mr.. Charles W.
Semmes, baggage master of the Southern
railway, volunteered for the dangerous task
Of coupling the engine to the burning car
which he accomplished without mishap, and
the flames about the tank were soon eX-
tinguiShed.
The origin of the fire Is unknown. Soon
after the flames burst out negro was
seen running away from the stables but no
cause for incendiary attempt on the
place has been suggested. 1t is said to be
probable that the fire was started acci-
dentally by some colored man sleeping in
the stables.
Animated Canvass for Clerkship.
The canvass which Mr.. Charles Bend
helm and MI. Nevelle S. Greenaway are now
conducting for the democratic nomination
for the clerkship of the courts of this city
to be determined at the special primary,
October r. Is attracting general attention
in this city. Both candida ties, warmly sec
onded by their respective friends, are wag
ing vigorous campaign which promises to
become more interesting as the time for the
primary election draws near 1t Is not eX-
pected that any others will enter the race,
although the city committee has decided to
allow the recording of names for the pri-
mary as late as September 30.
General Matters.
In the corporation court yesterday, Judge
Barley presiding. Robert H. Cox was ap
pointed administrator of the estate OF the
late Joseph g. Beach. at the request OF
Mrs. Ida E. Beach. Mr.. Cox gave bond in
the sum of $1,000. The court appointed the
following as appraisers of the estate: S. H.
Lunt. ]. Matthews and r. F. Knox.
Mr.. Robert w. Blair. one Of the deputy
internal revenue collectors for this district
will deliver a speech this evening before
republican mass meeting at Edinburgh,
Va. and will speak at several other places
before returning to this city.
Mrs. Clara Leadbeater and her daughter.
Miss Lucy Leadbeater have returned to
their home here after spending the summer
in Europe.