The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-03-19
Douglass Home Ransacked.

0OHSl0SS I1Ulue NdHSdChCO
Much interest is being aroused by the |
report sent to Police Headquarters that
the home of the late Frederick Douglass
at Cedar Hill was recently entered and
ransacked. The report was given by
Harold I. Dougherty, employed in the
copyright office of the Library of Con-
gross. Mr.. Dougherty lives at the
Douglass home. but during his absence
from the city for week or two lately,
an entrance was forced in the house.
The Douglass estate, which comprises
fifteen acres, is situated in an isolated
spot between Pierce and Adams streets.
The residence of the famous cid nego Is
a treasure house of historical and lit
erary works, and his library is one OF
the best in the country. AS his fayorite
hobby was the collection OF curios of all
kinds. the house. from cellar TO attic, is
crammed with them, many of which are
well known and valuable.
In addition to the police attention
given to the house, as a result of re-
quest sent in by Mr.. Dougherty before
his absence from the city, a colored man
named Henson was under instructions
from Mr.. DougheTty to watch the prem
ises, and to report Immediately 10 the
police any happening out OF the ordin-
airy. Henson lives in the rear of the
estate, and is certainly in & position TO
observe any attempt to enter the house.
AS soon as the report was sent in
that the house had been entered, Ser
geant W. T. Anderson detailed Officers
]. w. Mccormick, V. G. King and 7. a.
Lusby TO investigate the case, and if
possible to apprehend the intruders.
They discovered that entrance had been
made through cellar window by
knocking down a board barring the win
dow. The burglars being once in the
cellar had easy access TO the whole
house and the many valuables it con-
tanned Much curiosity is therefore
aroused by the fact that only few ar
ticles Of comparatively no value were
taken. Up to the present time the only
articles that have been discovered miss
ing are a bone-flandied knife and fork
and Il set of nut-pickers valued at 81.
a desk on the second floor filled with
papers belonging to Mr.. Douglass was
ransacked, but nothing taken. In like
manner a cabinet of curios was forced
OPEN the curios were scattered all
about. but none were missing.
The incident is the topic of converse
ton in Anacostia. and Mr.. Dousherty is
elated over the fact that nothing Of i'm
portance, to his knowledge, is missing.
DR.. William A. White, the superinten-
dent of the Government Hospital fer
the Insane is now IN New York. where
he expects to remain for short while.
The Rev. William E. Parson, pastor
of the Church of the Reformation in
Washington, began his two months
term as chaplain of the institution Ia 81
Sunday
Under the direction of the nurses Of
the asylum dance was given in the
assembly hall of ST. Eliza beth's. Mon
day evening. The music for the evening
was furnished by the hospital orches-
ira
Friday evening the inmates of the in
stitution were treated TO an excellent
entertainment given by William II. Nc
Collin, OF Philadelphia, who has been
engaged in providing entertainment for
hospital inmates for a number of years.
The patients greatly enjoyed the songs
and recitations furnished by Mr. Nc
Collin. and are indebted to him for an
enjoyable evening. He was assisted by
the institution orchestra.
A great many improvements are now
in progress at the asylum. and several
more are contemplated A force of men
is now hard at work repairing and haul
ing new ties for the hospital switch
of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad The
wards in the old portion of the insti-
tuition known as Elm and Walnut
have for some time been undergoing q
treatment for fireproofing. Dr. William
A. White, the superintendent, is nov
making arrangements to ado two stor-
les 10 the brick building containing the
laundry plant At the present time tho
plant is a large and well equipped one
AS the laundry of over 1900 persons /,
attended TO here the plant furnishes en-
ployment to large number of inmates
who are kept busy with so great ar
amount of work. Since the institution
has lately increased in size, it is very
necessary that the laundry plant be en-
larged. The addition to the present
structure, and the equipment of the an
mex will each cost about IS, 900. making
4 total of $4,000 that viii be expended
for this very important department OF
the institution.
On Tuesday morning. the dead body
OF an infant was found at the mouth
oe the sewer in the grounds of the Gov
eminent Hospital for the Insane II
was discovered by George Staub, living
on Brooks street, Congress Heights.
Sunday morning. William Beavers
found the body of a dead infant on the
river shore, near the north end of the
asylum trestIe. The body was turned
over to the morgue master.
Monday. workmen finished laying the
sewer in Taylor street. between Jeffer,
son and Adams streets.
The death OF Mrs. Eliza Sanford oc-
CURED a short time ago at the home OF
her son. John Sanford. near Congress
Heights. She was seventy-two years
of age. and was a well-known resident
She is survived by several sons, whc
are well known In AnacOstia. Her re
mains were inferred at Hague, Va.
William Yoe, of Prince George county
who has many friends in Anacostia
painfully cut his hand on paint can
one day last week. Surgical attention
was necessary.