Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-24
NEWS FROM ANACOSTIA
VALUABLE COINS FOUND -
NOTES FROM ASYLUM.

A pile OF old ashes hauled all the way
from Baltimore for the purpose Of making
fills along the line of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad at Anacostia. recently yielded
up a rich treasure to the crew of Italian
iaborers working On the unloading of the
cars at this point. The discovery of a
small bag as the ashes were being shoveled
by the wayside caused further investigation
among the men. Their surprise was COM
plete when numerous coins-enough to MI
a pint cup-burst through the half-decayed
material encasing them. There were
brought to Hight coins OF all nations and
of an ancient date. and it was some time
before the italian workmen were able to
comprehend what they had found. The
crew has not since been in Anacostia, IL Is
stated. and they acquainted but few per-
sons of their discovery. The members of che
train force, however. who were Americans
learned what had happened and one of the
brakemen exhibited a few Of the coins.
stated to be French pieces. to a friend in
Anacostia. Inquiry made as to how
the bag and it's contents found their way
into the ash heaps and 1t was suggested
that the origin of the incident might be
traced to the big Baltimore fire and that
the ashes being hauled from that city were
made up from the refuse Of the confiagra-
ton named.
a visit to No. Is Fire Engine Company, at
Washington and Pierce streets, and wit
messed house drill of the men under the
command of Capt. C. r. Kuhns. Commits
sioner Macfarland also made an inspection
of the firemen's quarters.
The recent death of Annie Ford, nine
years old. the daughter of Stephen Ford
respected colored citizen of Bowen road
resulted from tetanus. The child was going
about barefooted about two weeks ago
wIen she was cut on one foot by piece
Of stubble near her home. Nothing was
thought of the seemingly slight injury until
nnr fhran do Anut
became so alarming that a physician was
called in.
Sergeant c. A. Stevens the senior oIricer
having command of the police precinct at
Anacostia. has been advised that three ad-
ditional police patrol boxes will be erected
within this section in short time. Their
respective locations have been decided upon.
as follows: One on Walker road at the
District line. one at Giesboro' near the plant
of the Firth-Sterling Steel Company and
one at Bruce and Anger avenues, in Gar
field.
The assurance has been given in an Of
fetal manner. 1t Is understood, that there
will be established In a business house In
Anacostia postal station designed to &C
commodate residents who may not be able
to reach the central delivery station on
Harrison street.
Hospital Notes.
In the community Of the Government Hos
pitaI for the Insane where the population,
including both the insane under treatment
and the employees of the asylum numbers
3,211. there Is an entire absence of typhoid
fever, a condition that Is gratifying to the
authorities of the institution, in view of
the prevalence of the disease in the city
and the experience Of other years. This St
uatioR gives the hospital a record Of three
successive years with practically no typhoid
fever, the only cases within that time hav-
ing been contracted by employees away from
the asylum. as was ascertained In 1903
there were Twenty-Five cases of typhoid
fever treated here. three having fatal re-
suits. Since then the condition outlined
, above has obtained. due. il Is stated To
a deep-well water system, from which all
drinking water Is supplied. and tie careful
supervision of the milk from the hospital
herd. The cases In 1905 were traced d.
rectly to the use OF water from the river.
which was then generally used, but the use
Of which was soon afterward discontinued
The wards In the old east building OF the
asylum formerly occupied by female pa
tients are now nearly all occupied by male
inmates. who have been removed there
from other sections OF the institution from
time 10 time. The front portion, compris
ing three wards. will be utilized In the
same way when renovation and repainting
are completed.
the selection OF site for an amusement
hall at the hospital, for which an appro-
priation of $4,000 Is available. The project
will doubtless assume more definite shape.
II Is stated. following the meeting early
next month OF the board Of visitors OF the
asylum.
Rev. Emerson w. Bliss OF Washington,
whose term Of service as chaplain opened
the afternoon OF September /. has been III
and unable to offfciate at these services the
past two weeks. A substitute minister has
been delegated by Mr.. Bliss to act In his
place.
The open air band concerts for the amuse-
ment OF the patients. which have been q
feature of the summer period. are still be-
ing continued, and viii probably be kept
up through O portion OF the coming month.
The number of insane under treatment
in the hospital at this time Is ASST, of which
1.900 are males and ga females.