Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-11
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
STATE. BOARD OF EDUCATION TO
MEET IN MARCH.
Stimulation Of Effort in Local Schools
Funerals Held Today-Gen-
eral and Personal.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, February II, 1907.
An unusual event in connection with
the public schools Of Alexandria will be
the meeting of the state board Of educa-
ton here Tuesday. March IL. The session
Of the board, which will be the first ever
held in this city. is expected to stimulate
local interest In educational matters. It
Is said to be in line with general policy
recently adopted and put into operation
few weeks ago at a meeting in Ports
mouth. The board, 1t Is understood, will
remain In session for several days, dur
ing which time the members will visit
the various schools of Alexandria and
make study Of the methods of instruc-
ton in vogue here. Arrangements for the
entertainment Of the visitors are being
made by Superintendent K. Kemper and
others connected with the Alexandria
schools.
1t Is believed that the public schools
here compare favorably with the best Of
the city schools in the state. The system
Of instruction, it Is declared, has been
demonstrated to be of high order by
the standing Of the students in the col
leges and universities This, it is stated,
has been attested especially at the Vir-
V1n1a polytechnic Institute, where twelve
or fourteen graduates of the Washington
High School of which Col Theodore H.
Ficklin is principal, are now pursuing
technical courses. 1t is said that the pro-
fessors OF the institute have paid many
compliments to the thoroughness of the
preparation of the students sent there
from the local schools.
IN a Of the It is pu1c schools
here, which are well attended throughout
the year. The buildings are kept in good
condition.
The state board is composed of Gov.
Swanson, Mr.. ]. D. Eagleston, jr., super
intendent of public instruction; Mr.. E. c.
Glass of Lynchburg, Prof Kent of the
University of Virginia and Mr.. ]. T. West
of Norfolk.
Funerals Today.
Funeral services over the remains Of
Ralph Smith, whose death occurred Sat-
urday night at the Alexandra Hospital as
the result of fractures of the neck and
skull received in headlong plunge down a
stairway, will be held this evening at Z
o'clock at the residence of the sister
OF the deceased, Mrs. Pauline Jones, S13
Prince street The body will be forwarded
tomorrow morning to Mr.. Smiths former
home in Campbell county, Va, for inter-
ment. The services will be conducted by
Rev. Charles D. Bula of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South and Rev. Joseph R.
Sewer Of the Second Presbyterian Church.
Mr.. Smith was about forty-five years of
age and was native of Campbell county,
81
following the carpenters trade. He is sur
vived by his widow and two children. They
were in the house with him at the time of
the accident, which occurred Saturday
ton street. 1t is supposed that he stumbled
on the top step and that his fall to the
bottom was practically unbroken. Although
1t was apparent that he had scarcely a re-
mote chance of recovery, every effort in
his behalf was made by the entire staff Of
physicians of the hospital.
The remains of DR.. James Samuel Cum
nell, formerly resident Of Washington,
whose death occurred Saturday night at
the home Of his sister, Mrs. Virginia Scott,
at Bush Hill. Fairfax county. were con-
veyed this afternoon to Washington and
services were held in the chapel of the
cemetery. DR.. Gunnell was seventy seven
years of age and unmarried. He was son
of the late DR.. James S. Gunnell of Wash
ington. For some time past he had not
been an active practitioner, but several
years ago he practiced his profession In
Washington Two sisters and two brothers
of Bush Hill. Mrs. Pelham Williams of
Cambridge, Mass; DR.. F. NJ. GunneIl, U.
8. NJ, whose home Is in Washington, and
W. c. Gunnell Of Bush Hill.
Mems Club Formed.
The Mems League Of the First Baptist
Church was organized yesterday afternoon
at o'clock at meeting held in the lecture
room Of the church About forty persons
became members of the organization. A
committee was appointed to draft bylaws
for the league, and it was decided to hold
semi-monthly meetings. the second and
fourth Mondays being selected for that pur-
pose. The following officers were elected:
j. r. Mansfield, president: w. P. kerrick,
vice president; Floyd Saunders, secretary;
James Hulfish, treasurer and J.T. Preston,
chairman of the music committee. The
meeting was presided over by Rev. DR.. w.
F. Fisher, the pastor, who explained the
aims Of the organization.
Slightly Damaged by Fire.
An apartment on the second floor of the
Office of the Portner Brewing Company. on
North Columbus street, was slightly dam
aged by fire which broke out last night
about o'clock among a lot of chemicals
stored in the room. The entire apartment
was called out, but it was necessary for
the truck and one engine only. that of
Company No. 4, to go into service. The
origin of the fire is unknown.
The department was called out this morn
Ing for an alarm indicating fire at the
intersection Of Pitt and Gibbon streets but
1t was found that the trouble was due to
blaze in the chimney.
General and Personal.
Owing to the breaking Of the overhead
wire Of the Washington, Alexandra and
Mount Vernon electric line at the intersec-
ton of King and Washington streets traf-
&c on that road was delayed yesterday at
ternoon for about two hours. In falling
one of the ends of the wire, it is stated,
came very near striking a pedestrian The
accident prevented the arrival on time of a
number Of people of this city who had
started to Washington to attend the funeral
of Representative Rixey.
The funeral of Mrs. Adolphine SchWab
whnaa doa fh occurred Thursday v,lo
yesterday afternoon from her late residence
1872 North ROYAL street, the services being