The Washington herald., 1907-10-25
Victims of Clarendon Wreck
Score in Damage Suits.
SPECIAL JURY TO TRY CASE
Charles ID. Semmes, Prominent In
Society and secret Order Circles.
Temperance Rally - Alexandria
knights Going 10 baltimore,
WASHINGTON HERALD BUREAU.
BELL Telephone 69.l


52s King street.
Alexandria. Va. Oct. 24-After hearing
argument from several opposing attOr-
neys. Judge j. b. r.. Thornton in the
Circuit Court for Alexandria County, to-
day ruled TO require a trial of the dam
age suits against the Washington, Airing
ton and Falls Church Railway Com
plny at a special term of court after the
third Monday in November The de-
cision, which marked victory for the
numerous plaintiffs. affects fifty or sixty
cases. involving an aggregate OF $l3Oo.
claimed as damages for personal injuries
sustained in the wreck on the line of the
defendant company in last July. at Clar-
endon
One of the principal questions passed
upon in the decision was as to whether
or not the receiver for the company
should be made a party 70 the suits this
being decided in the negative. Attorneys
Barbour and Nicol addressed the court
in behalf Of the defense. and numerous
attorneys took part in the proceedings in
the interest OF the plaintiffs. a special
jury viii be called. and it is expected that
the trial of the cases will occupy the
attention of the court for many days.
Death of Charles ID. SemmeE
Charles 3. Semmes son of the late
Douglas Semmes, died This afternoon,
after a brief Illness. at the Alexandria
Hospital Mr.. Semmes was apparently
in his usual health yesterday morning.
but in the evening became suddenly i'll
and was removed 10 the hospital He
was q native Of this city. and had lived
here all OF his life. Mr.. Semmes was
connected with many local social and
fraternal organizations. He was a MEM
Der Of the Alexandria Washington Lodge
of AIasons and of Mount Vernon Chap
ter. Royal Arch MaSons. He was also a
member of the Bachelor Club, the Relief
Hook and Ladder Company, and the
Brotherhood Of Railway Trainmen. For
many years ne had been employed as a
baggage master on the Southern Rail-
way. One brother, Rev. Thomas Semmes,
rector of St Andrews Episcopal Church,
Richmond. survives him. The remains
viii be placed in the Masonic Temple
and the funeral viii take place tomorrow
afternoon at o'clock from old Christ
Church. The remains viii be inferred
in the family burial ground here. Rev.
William J. Morton. rector of Christ
Church, will conduct the services.
a general temperance rally viii be held
iu the First Baptist Church tomorrow
evening AT 80 o'clock under the auspices
of the High Tent Independent Order Of
Rechabites of North America. High Tent
Chief Ruler y. Elwyn VawIes viii pre-
side. Addresses viii be delivered by the
high tent ruler and other members of the
order. Invitations to attend have been
extended to several Of the public officials
A large delegation of members OF the
order from Washington will attend It
is expected that about 20O people Will be
i'm the party. The object of the gather
ing is 10 awaken and stimulate general
interest In the temperance cause. Perse-
verance Tent, the local branch Of the
organization, viii appear in a body.
a delegation of about fifty members Of
Fitzgerald Council, knights Of Columbus,
viii so 20 Baltimore next Sunday to wit
ness special degree work of the order
there.
Rev. Joseph R. Sewer. pastor of the
Second Presbyterian Church. and A J.
UhIer have gone TO C.arksburg. w. Va.
10 attend the annual session of the Synod
Of Virginia. which convened to-day IN the
First Presbyterian Church of that place.
Dr. Alexander Murray, of the Medical
Corps Of the United States army, who
has been detailed as executive officer at
the Ancon Hospital, Canal Zone, is in this
city, on visit 70 relatives
Dr. s Harrison Smith. who is a mem
her of the medical staff Of the Ancon
Hospital. has returned from his vaca-
ton