Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-18
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
COURT TO REsENTENCE JOSEPH
THOMAS TOMORROW.
Attorney for the Condemned Man to
Continue Efforts to Obtain New
Trial-General News.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

ALEXANDRIA, Va, April Is, 1907.
1t is understood that Joseph Thomas,
alias John Wright, colored, sentenced to be
hanged for criminally assaultng Mable
Risley, now Mrs. Forrest Gooding Of Wash
ington, will tomorrow be resentenced by
Louis c. Barley, who is presiding at the
Alexandria county court.
Attorney James E. Clements stated yes
terday afternoon that be will make every
effort possible to save Wright's life, and is
of the opinion that his client will never
expiate his crime on the scaffold. Attor-
ney Clements says that after hearing the
evidence of two or three witnesses in the
case he became thoroughly convinced that
Wright was innocent of the crime for
which he was convicted. and since that
time, he states. he has left absolutely
nothing undone to secure Wright's acquit-
tai While Attorney Clements has not yet
given up hope he has not disclosed what
his future policy in the case will be- This
case has attracted considerable attention
both in Washington and Alexandria, and
the fight to save wright's life has been
watched with keen interest.
Downham-Aitcheson Marriage.
One of the prettiest weddings of the sea-
son occurred at 8 o'clock last night at the
residence of eX-Mayor and Mrs E. E.
Downham, All North Washington street,
when their daughter, Miss Sarah Maude
Downham. became the bride of Mr.. Ben
jamin McKnew Aitcheson of this city.
The ceremony was performed by Rev. Will
liam j. Morton, rector of Christ Protestant
Episcopal Church, under a bower Of palms,
where an altar had been erected for the
ceremony.
The bride was becomingly gowned in
white chiffon cloth and carried lilies of
the valley. Her only ornament was neck
lace with pendant, composed of two large
aquamarines surrounded by pearls and
diamonds. a gift of the groom. Miss Bessie
Simpson of Dover. n. j., served as maid of
honor. She was attired in gown of white
lace over taffeta and carried a bouquet OF
pink roses. DR. William NJ. Smith acted as
best man.
Following the ceremony an elaborate re-
ception was held, which was attended by a
large gathering of relatives and friends OF
the contracting parties. 1T a late hour the
couple departed for an extended bridal
trip. Upon their return they will reside in
this city.
Funeral of John T. Sweeney.
The funeral of John T. Sweeney, whose
death occurred Tuesday morning last at his
home 321 South Columbus street, took
place at $50 o'clock this morning from st.
Mary's Catholic Church. Rev. Father L. F.
Kelly, assistant pastor. officiated, and the
interment was made in st. Mary's ceme
terry. While the funeral was in progress the
town bell was toled as a mark of respect
to the deceased, who for the past quarter of
a century was member of the city COun-
Gil, and who. at the time of his death, was
president of the board of aldermen.
The services We're attended by a large
of relatives and friends, includ-
ing most of the city officials. The floral Of
ferings were numerous and beautiful. Rep
resentatives from the various organizations
with which the deceased was affiliated also
attended the funeral services.
The following served as pallbearers: John
T. Johnson, NJ. B. Harlow, w. H. Sweeney.
G. l.. Simpson. John McKenna, c. ]. w.
Summers. Hubert Snowden and E. E.
Downham.
Purchasing Company Election.
The stockholders of the Equitable Pur
chasing Company of Washington held their
annual meeting here at o'clock last night
at the law Office of Mr.. Gardner L. Boothe,
when the following officers were elected:
w. II. Young, president; j. ii. Robinson,
vice president; Charles S. King. treasurer
and general manager; George S. Livingston,
secretary. The above named officers, with
Messrs George L. Diven, Ernest w. Emory
Theodore T. Moore. II. F. Taft and w.
B. Magruder, constitute the board of d.
rectorS.
Dwelling Sold.
Mr. John d. Normoyle real estate agent,
has sold for Mrs. Margaret J. Sherwood 10
Mr. William a. Harding a two-story brick
dwelling at the northeast corner of Queen
and St. Asaph streets, and also a brick
dwelling in the rear of the same. Mr..
NormoyIe has also sold for the heirs of
George McBurney. deceased, a farm con-
sisting of ffty-eight acres situated near
Gum Springs, Fairfax county, to Mr.. Claude
l.. Tyler.
General and Personal.
There is considerable speculation as to
who will succeed the late John T. Sweeney
as a member of the board of aldermen from
the fourth ward. Among the names al
ready suggested are those of Gardner L.
Boothe and c. ]. W. Summers. 1t is ex-
pected that at the meeting of that body
which will be held Tuesday night next his
successor will be chosen.
Lamar Munroe has been appointed rural
free delivery carrier of route No. 2 by the
Post Office Department. and Maude NJ
Munroe is named as substitute carrier.
Mail for this route is dispatched from the
local office.
The Epworth League of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South has completed ar
rangements for reception to the new pre-
siding elder, Rev. f. V. Register of Balti-
more, and the pastor, Rev. Charles d.
Bulla, who was recently reappointed pastor
of the local church, which is scheduled to
take place at the church tomorrow night.
At the regular monthly meeting of the
board of police commissioners, held last
night, the report of Chief Charles T. Goods
of the police force was read and accepted.
Resolutions to the respect of the memory
of John 7. Sweeney were adopted, and the
members composing the board decided to
attend the funeral in a body
The only case in the police court this
morning was that of Walter Todd. charged
with assaulting his wife with a pistol. The
charge was not fully sustained although
il was testified that he attempted to raise
row at his home last night, and Justice
Cation fined him 81 on a charge Of disorder
ly conduct.
At the twenty-ifth annual session of the
Grand Council, Royal Arcanum. held at
DanVille, Va, yesterday morning, Past
Grand Regent r. W. Arnold of this city,
behalf of the grand council presented
retiring Grand Regent William Bickers of
Richmond, Va, a handsome past grand re-
gents jewel
Davis from her husband, Herman c. Davis
in the corporation court of this city, April
q last. the ground of desertion. Both
parties reside in Washington. Attorney
Charles Bendheim represented the plaintiff
The funeral of Albert F.. w. Laycock son
Of Mr.. and Mrs. George Laycock who dies
Monday afternoon, took place at , o'clock
yesterday afternoon at his parents resi-
dence, 10 Wolfe street. Rev. Joseph r.
Sewer, pastor of the Second Presbyterian
Church. officiated, and the interment was
made in Bethel cemetery.