Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-03
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
INDICTMENTS AGAINST ALLEGED
GAMBLERS.
Proprietor of st. Asaph Pool Room In
cluded-Trial of Constable
Cornell-Notes.
Special Correspon ,eree Of The Evening. Star.


The case of John H. Cornell. a constable
of Jefferson district, Alexandria county,
charged with murder, was opened before
Judge C. e. Nicol in the circuit court for
Alexandria county on Fort Myer Heights
this afternoon. The Indictment alleges
that Cornell shot to death Wilmer N.
Steele. young railroad employe, near ST.
Asaph last June Steele was shot while
fleeing from the constable, who was at
tempting to arrest him on warrant
charging misdemeanor. Steele died the
following day at the Alexandria Hospital.
Cornell reported the matter to the county
authorities and he was indicted by the
grand jury. He was released on bond
and was permitted to exercise his functions
as constable. His claim was that lie
was justified in using his pistol to stop
the accused because the latter refused 10
halt upon command.
The prisoner is represented by Attorneys
r. c. l.. MOncure and Lewis II. Macnen.
Commonwealth Attorney Mackey Is as
sisted by Attorney ]. B. T. Thornton OF
Manassas. Some time was taken up with
the empaneling of the jury. The examl-
nation of witnesses will be commenced TINS
afternoon following the recess for dinner.
Cornell appeared in the court room accom-
panied by his wife, who sat by his side
during the proceedings.
The report of thes Alexandria county
grand jury, which was made late yesterday
afternoon, included indictments against
John M. Hill, who is said to be proprietor
of the st. Asaph pool rooms; Charles Burl-
ingame, a telegraph operator, and Louis
Bargen, an alleged bookmaker, charging
them with setting up gaming table. The
indictments were found under chapter 49,
OF the code of Virginia, which provides that
offenSes charged therein may be tried by
the circuit court. In full the presentments
charge the three men with setting up
gaming table of the like kind as keno I'M
der the denomination of bookmaking on
horse races, and of the like kind as faro,
and of the like kind as keno and faro, I'M
der the denomination of commission bet
ting on horse races The question rails ed
by the term "of the like kind is to be de-
termined by the jury 1t is claimed by the
commonwealth that it is not necessary I'M
between bookmaking and faro and keno in
the method of playing. but only that
chances of winning and losing are similar.
The court directed that capias issue on
each Indictment returnable next Thursday
morning. The cases will then be set for
a hearing before Judge Nicol of the cir
cult court The action of the common
wealth attorney in this direction was re-
ceived with some surprise by those inter
ested as it was surmised that he would
proceed against the ST. Asaph pool rooms
upon warrants to be heard before some
justice of the peace in Jefferson district.
Mr.. Mackey has all along been fighting for
a trial of the case upon the principal points
involved. Since the legal contest COM
menced, however. obstacles have interposad
which prevented the reaching of a final de-
clslon upon the real merits of the contro-
versy. He hopes to gain this end by the
court.
Land Condemnation.
Proceedings for the condemnation of in
terests in certain property near Four-Mile
run. owned by Sarah S. Swami and Mary
Swami. brought by the Washington
Southern Railroad Company, took up the
attention of the court for some hours yes
terday. Attorney Samuel G.. Brent repre-
scented the defendants, and Col Francis
l.. Smith represented the plaintiff COM
pany. Judge Nicol decided in favor of the
railroad company, appointing five apprais-
ers. Counsel for the defendants noted an
appeal.
The grand jury. with John B. Henderson
jr.. foreman, yesterday afternoon reported
indictments against the following: Lemuel
Crawford, Louis Walters and John Jones'
charging with selling liquor without a
license; Nathaniel Grant. charged with as
sault with intent to kill, and Michael
Smith. charged with burglary.
The case of Kraft against the Washing
ton. Alexandria and Mount Vernon Rail-
road Company, a suit for damages for per-
sonal injuries alleged to have been sus-
tanned by the negligence of the company
which was opened yesterday, occupied the
attention of the court this forenoon. At
torneys r. Walton Moore and Frank Lyon
represented the defendant company and
Attorneys c. c. Carlin and Walter u Var
ney appeared for the plaintiff The court
allowed counsel for the plaintiff sixty DAYS
in which to amend the declaration, and the
case was continued.
General Notes.
The members of the Alexandria CHAPTER,
Womens Christian Temperance Union.
gave New Year reception to their friends
yesterday afternoon from 3 to 5 o'clock at
the rooms of the Children's Home on Duke
street. Those who were present enjoyed a
delightful entertainment, which included
the serving of refreshments. The Alexan-
dria society is in fourishing condition
1t has lately increased in membership, hav-
ing now about sixty on the rolls Mrs
Leslie NJ. Tinsley is president.
Edward Violet died last evening at his
home, 100 South Lee street. He was about
forty years of age and was a timer by
trade having been employed for some years
in Washington. wife and three children
survive him. The funeral ARRANGEMENTS
will be made later
In the police court this morning, Justice
SaloH piesiuiHB, JOnn Jones, cOlOred, was
arraigned on the charge of stealing a watch
belonging to David Petit 1t was testified
That Jones had disposed of the timepiece
Tor 81. 1t was recovered by Officers knight
and Ferguson. Justice Cation referred the
case to the grand jury. Madison jackson,
colored, was fined $50 on the charge of il
legal traffic in cocaine. In default of pay
ment he will spend ninety days in jail.
The January term of the United States
court for the eastern district of Virginia,
Judge Waddll presiding opened this morn
ing at 10 o'clock. Grand and petit 1uries
have been summoned for the term. Several
criminal cases will be presented for invesii-
cation by the grand jury.
Mrs. Carrie II. Schiller died last night
after brief illness at her home on King
street. She was twenty-eight years of age
and was the widow of Edward Schiller.
Death was due to appendicitis.
Mr.. ]. f. w. Timberman has been made
a member of the firm of e. l.. Allen &
Co., druggists. Mr.. Timberman has been
OPERATIONS NOT