Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-30
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
PRISONER MAKES SUCCESSFUL
DASH FOR LIBERTY.
Charged With Robbing Railroad Cars
Indicated Need for improvements
to Station House.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, March 30, 1906
The frantic and successful dash of pris-
oner for liberty created considerable ex-
element at the session of the police court
this morning. Justice Cation presiding.
William Whalen, young resident of this
city, charged with robbing railroad cars,
broke from the officers who had him in
charge, hurdling a high hailing and cleared
the court room by leaps ard bounds. Rush
ing down q long stairway he reached
Market alley and gone before any Of
ficers could get well started in pursuit. In
fact, no effort was made at the time to fol-
low the fugitive. the officers from whom
he escaped having to guard another pris-
oner. Hatless and with hair streaming in
the breeze Whalen sped westward In the
alley until reaching Royal street. up which
he ran like deer, crowd following in
the distance. He soon outstripped his pur-
suers and was lost from view.
Whalen, together with William Oehlert
and Harrie Robinson, had been examined
on warrant charging completely In the re-
cent Robbery of freight cars near this city.
The three young men were represented by
Attorney Lewis H. Machen and Justice Ca
ton had sgnified his intention of dismissing
them when Special Officer Duke. railroad
detective announced that he had warrants
issued in Manassas for the arrest of all
three on similar charges. Owing to an
error In the name Oehlert was released, but
Whalen and Robinson were being conduct
ed to the mayors Office when Whalen made
the dash. In the confusion which ensued
the young mans mother, who was waiting
in an adjoining room, could not tell what
had happened to her son and was almost
overcome with grief and anxiety.
Indicated Need for Improvements.
Mayor Paff, who was in the courtroom
at the time of the occurrence, took occa-
.ln
pressing need of better arrangements at
police headquarters, which the circum-
stance, he thought, clearly indicated A
large crowd was in the courtroom this
morning to hear the robbery cases,
and even the aises were so largely occu-
pied that the officers had no room to prop
erly guard their prisoners in conducting
them from the dock TO the adjoining apart
ment. AS soon as Whalen had escaped
the crowd at once rushed TO the stairway
to witness the flight, thereby temporarily
cutting off the principal avenue of pursuit.
The congested condition of the courtroom
this morning, while not everyday oc-
currence, is repeated whenever there are
any cases which attract more than or
binary attention to be tried. Mayor Pam
referred to his recommendations for i'm
provements at the station house, which
were embodied in a resolution introduced
some time ago in the city council, and said
he was surprised that some action had not
been taken, particularly the changes
suggested called for only small appfo-
priation The matter has been repeatedly
discussed in council, but action has been
deferred awaiting the report of the COM
mitteee on public property. At the
sion of council Tuesday night Mr.. Will
liams gave notice that at the next meeting
he would move for immediate action en-
the matter, whether or not any report
was received.
Complimented by the Governor.
A largely attended meeting of the Andrew
]. Montague Political Club was held last
evening in the permanent quarters of the
organization, northeast corner of King and
Washington streets Capt. Albert Bryan,
the president, occupied the chair and Mr..
Thomas A. Fisher was elected secretary. 4
letter was read from Gov. Montague
commenting upon the fact that the club
was the first OF the kind to be organized in
Virginia in the present campaign and COM
plimentlng the organization for Its work.
The following vice presidents were elected
for the several wards: First ward, Messrs.
n. p. T. Burke and r. l.. Knight; second
ward, State Senator Lewis II. Machen and
Mr.. C. B. Paff; third ward Mr.. J. t. Harri-
son and former Mayor George l.. Simpson;
fourth ward, Messrs. Henry F. Robertson
and Frank S. Harper 1t was decided to
hold meetings the first and third Tuesday
of each month.
General Matters.
Through his attorneys, Messrs c. c. Car
lin and Douglas Stuart M. Millard +.
TIGER has instituted suit in the circuit court
of this city against the cityncouncil OF
Alexandria to recover the sum of $500
with interest from October l, 1903. The
case will test the legality of the assessment
made by the city against the owners OF
on King street for the improve
ments on that thoroughfare-
The funeral of Mrs. Virginia Emerson,
whose death occurred in Washington, took
place this afternoon from the residence Of
Mr.. Harry Kirk on North Columbus street.
Rev P. p. Phillips of st. Pauls Church
conducted the services and interment was
made in st. Paurs cemetery.
Mr. Robert Hume of Alexandria county Is
being mentioned as probable candidate
for delegate to represent Alexandria county
and city in the state legislature. Mr..
Hume is a son of Mr.. Frank Hume, who
served as delegate.
Rev. J. P. Stump of the NJ. E. Church
South is visiting his venerable mother at
her home in West Virginia