Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-22
AFFAIRS IN ALEXANDRIA
FRANK TOWNSEND, CoLORED,
ATTEMPTS TO BREAK JAIL.
Jailer's Discovery of the Scheme
James Boatz Drowned-Gen-
eral News.

ALEXANDRIA, Va, July %, 10

ALEXANDRIA, Va, July %, 1907.
Frank Townsend, a one-legged prisoner,
who Is serving a term of ninety days in
the city Jail a charge of vagrancy, made
an unsuccessful effort to escape from that
institution Friday last, and had not his
plans been discovered he, together with
four other prisoners, who were confined in
the same room, would be enjoying freedom
today. Townsend was at once removed to
cell on the lower floor of the jail, which
is considered much more secure. Police
Justice Cation was this morning notified by
Warden William E. Gambler of the at
Townsend will have several more months
added to his sentence.
Warden Gambler stated this morning that
Townsend had removed, Friday last a large
iron plate from the ceiling and afterward
laid the plate back in its original position
SO that the displacement could not be
noticed. The plans of Townsend were dis
covered Saturday last by George Griffin
who is held in jail on a charge of attempted
arson. Griffin at once notified Mr.. Gambler.
After removing the plate. which was large
enough to admit mans body, all that was
necessary was to remove the slate from
the roof. when they would easily have Sc
cured their freedom. 1t is the opinion of
the jailer that all of those In the room were
implicated In the plot
Only a few weeks ago two prisoners made
ill escape from tIlS institution, one O1 lHeIl
being a soldier named George B. Clu0us,
who was sentenced to serve a term of two
years in the penitentiary. A man charged
with vagrancy also escaped at that time.
AS stated in yesterdays Star, plans are
now under way for the Improvement of the
city Jail, owing to it's apparent insecurity
for the confinement of prisoners. 1t Is en-
pected that this recent attempted delivery
will have a tendency to hasten the matter,
and it is regarded as more than probable
that when the city council recOnvenes Oc
tober next the matter will be vigorously
pushed.
Young Alexandrian Drowned.
James Bontz nineteen years of age, son
Of Mr.. George w. Bontz, who resides at 422
North Alfred street, this city, was drowned
in the Delaware river. off Wilmington.
while bathing, at O'Clock yesterday after
noon. Immediately following the accident
his body was recovered. News of the
drowning was received at his home this
morning, and his brother, Mr.. George w.
Bontz. jr.. left today for Wilmington. The
remains will be brought here tomorrow
morning and prepared for burial.
News OF the drowning was brought to the
family by Mr.. Harvey Mccall of Whining
ton. Del. who came to Alexandria this
morning for that purpose. According to
his statement, young Bontz together with
eight other companions, started out early
In the day on steam launch for an outing.
After going out about nine miles Bontz
went in bathing. He was seen to go down,
and those In charge Of the launch at once
made an effort to reach him. The launch
was then distance Of about 100 yards
from the drowning man, and was in four
feet of water 1t was discovered that the
rudder was caught in the mud, and it broke
on when efforts were made to reach the
drowning man. 1t Is supposed BontZ was
seized with cramps.
Among his companions in the launch was
Allen Smith. a son of Mr. b. B. Smith Of
nnf 1aPt
years ago, and since that time has been
employed as an apprentice in the machine
shops of the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany at Wilmington.
Result of Labor Conference.
Judging from the open meeting of the
Alexandria Trades Council held Yesterday
afternoon to consider the alleged differ
ences between organized labor and the
Washington, Alexandria and Mount Vernon
Electric Railway Company, no immediate
action along the lines of a boycott will be
taken against the railway company The
meeting was called by the trades council
for the purpose of comforting with an ad-
Justment committee from the Central Labor
Union of Washington and the local branch
of the Amalgamated Association of Street
and Electric Railway Employees Only one
member of the adjustment committee from
washington put in his appearance and he
made an informal statement. President
ietty man decided tndt II was not within
the province of the special meeting to take
definite action. A motion to ascertain what
arrangements can be made with the ferry
people and steam railroads to transport
union employees to and from Washington
was excluded under the ruling of the pres
ident of the trades council
III was announced by a representative of
the Washington committee that the Cen
trail Labor Union is in sympathy with the
discharged employees, but that body can
take no action tending to boycott the road
unless generally supported by the union
men of this city. 1t was also announced
that no adequate preparations had yet
been made for such a move
Members Of the railway union charge
that they are being deserted in their fight,
and several members assert that they will
turn over their charter to the national as
ISOLATION of that organization.
1t is apparent that the railway en-
ployes who are members of the union are
very much dissatisfied with the outcome
of yesterdays meeting. A report of the
proceedings of yesterdays meeting will
be made to the Central Labor Union of
Washington this evening.
Corner Stone Laid.
The corner stone of an additional build
ing to the William Mckinley Normal and
School for Colored Youth was
laid at 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon under
the auspices of the Ancient Order of the
Knights and Daughters of Jerusalem of
Washington in the presence of a large
gathering. Rev. 8. p. w. Drew of Wash
ington. president of the school, was the
principal speaker The exercises were pre-
sized over by Rev. r. B. Robinson, secre-
tary and treasurer of the school,
Defendant Declares Innocence.
feyton Gray, colored, charged with run
hins over a little son of Mr.. William Cree
gan was arraigned in the police court this
morning. Mr., Creegan, father of the bow
apPaIeu IN court and told the judge that
his child is still in a prec,riors nn,;.i .
and that 1t may possibly lose the sight If
one eye. Gray stated that the occurrence
Vas Vas purely accidental; that he has been
o'Niis ioi many Years. bur this is ,ha
nrst tme he ever met with an acciden, 30
any character. Justice Cation contin,od
the case, pending the outcome of tho chit1,u