Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-10
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS.
DEATH OF FORMER MAYOR JOHN
q. BECKHAM.
Popular Citizen, Who Had Been in I'LL
Health for Years-General
and Personal.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.


ALEXANDRIA, Va. August 10. 1905.
Mr.. John B. Beckham. formerly mayor Of
Alexandria. died last night in his apart
ments at the residence of Mr.. Robert Crook,
226 South Washington street. after linger-
ing Illness. He was found dead In his bed
at an early hour this morning The ar
rangements for the funeral will be COM
pleted later.
Mr. Beckham was in the sixtieth year Of
his age. He was a native of Culpeper coun-
ty. where he spent his early life. Although
mere boy at the outbreak of the civil war,
he enlisted in the confederate army in Mos
by's Battalion and served until peace was
restored. Coming to this city some years
later, he engaged in business with his
brother the late ]. Thomas Beckham. who
was also at one time mayor of this city
Under the firm name of J. r.. & j. G. Beck
nam they conducted wholesale commits
sion business on lower King street for sew
eral years.
In the spring of 1875 Mr. John G. Beck
ham became candidate for mayor Of Alex
andria, and his election followed. About
the time that he would have entered into
the discharge of the duties of his office he
suffered a general decline in health and it
was deemed advisable for him to take a
european trip. After being sworn in he
went abroad for several weeks during
which time Mr.. Hubert Snowden acted as
mayor. Returning with somewhat increased
strength Mr.. Beckham assumed charge of
the ONCE of mayor but his health again
failed him and he was compelled to resign
subsequently he took some part in business
aHalrs, but for the past few years he has
been confined to his apartments. His men,
tai faculties gradually declined
During the period of Mr. Bec6ham's ac-
tivity In the social and public life of this
city he was one of the most popular men in
Alexandria His high character. kind dis
position ana agreeable manners won him
friends wherever he was known Owing to
MS CONDITION in recent years he had disap-
peared to some extent from public notice
out the general expressions of regret this
morning at the announcement of his death
held " "'> - 'e ""'
Disorder on Electric Train.
Two young colored men, answering to
the names of Frank Harris and Towson
Nlckens. were arraigned in the police court
this morning. before Justice Cation, on the
charga of disorderly conduct on an electric
train yesterday afternoon between this city
and Washington. The arrest of the men
delayed the train while at Spring Park
ana created some excitement among the
passengers. Before the train, which was
IN charge of Conductor Thomas Travers,
nao reached that point a telephone mes
sage had been sent to Alexandria for a
policeman. Apprehending arrest the
negroes attempted to leave the train at
Spring Park but were thwarted by Con-
ductor Travers and Brakeman Davis. One
or the negroes managed to break away
and ran some distance up the track. but
the trainmen, who gave chase, were Joined
by Officer Ferguson and the fugitive was
captured. In court this morning it was
testified that the defendants had been dis
orderly all the way from Washington to
Spring Park. They were assessed $ each,
in default of which they will spend twenty
days in Jail, subject to service on the new
chain gang.
General Matters.
Arrangements are being made by the
Alexandria Light Infantry for the trip to
Basic City to take part in the annual en-
campment of the Virginia militia from
August ID to %. 1t is expected that the
company will have an unusually large
Maj. James p. King and First Lieut..
Avery A. Rittenour, regimental officers.
will be with their commands at Basic
City.
whose death occurred Tuesday night,
were forwarded this morning to Rust
burg, Va. his former home. for interment.
The casket was accompanied by repre-
sentatives of the local branches of the
order of Eagles. the Elks and the Red
Men, to which organizations the deceased
belonged.
Mr.. j. E. Kidwell formerly assistant
paymaster of the Southern Railway Com
pany. has been appointed to a position t
Lusena, Panama. and has left for the
fsthmus. He will be joined there by his
family.
A decree of divorce was entered in the
corporation court yesterday. Judge Bar
ley presiding, in the case of Maggie Nc
kee Herring against Charles A. Herring.