Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-20
HAPPENINGS IN ALEXANDRIA
DARING ATTEMPT TO KIDNAP
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD CHILD.
Andrew A. Samson of Washington
Held for Action of Grand Jury.
Delinquent Tax Sale.
special Correspondence of The Star.

Mr.. and Mrs Luckett w Adams, who
reside at pa South Lee street. was
| frustrated at 4::S0 o'clock yesterday after
| noon when Lieut.. Belts and Policeman
Andrew j. Nicholson arrested Andrew A.
Samson, twenty-three years old. of Wash
| ington, with the child in wagon head
| ing toward Washington.
When Samson was arraigned in the
| police court this morning the little
| courtroom was crowded with specta-
tors. Among those present was his al
| legged victim and little Miss Catherine
Duggan, seven years old daughter of Mr..
and Mrs. John DuSSan. who live at 100
Duke street, and whom Samson is al
legged to have endeavored TO kidnap.
After hearing the evidence Justice Cation
held the accused for the grand jury. lie
will probably be tried at the January
term of the corporation court.
Lieut.. Belts testified that ,he was told
of the kidnapping by Henry kicherer, and
he and Policeman Nicholson started out
III pursuit of the man, although he had
good start on them. When die was over
taken he was near the corner of st
Asaph and Wythe streets, the extreme
northeastern section of the city. The
boy was III the front part of the wagon
beneath Samson legs and his head could
scarcely be seen, although the vehicle
Samson was returning in ST. ASaph
street, having discovered he would be
unable To cross that thoroughtare and
reach the turnpike. Had the officers
been five minutes later they would have,
i'll all probability been unable to capture
Samson. Several sticks of yellow pep
pernlint candy We're found i'm the man 5
pockets and two blankets were in the
wagon.
Mrs Addie Duggan mother of the girl
whom ne is alleged have T.
tempted to steal said she was attracted
by cries from her little daughter, who
told her there was d drunken man in the
hallway of their home AS soon as she
came to the door the man walked brisk
ly up TO the corner. She also stated that
he asked her little girl to take ride
in his wagon, telling her he had chick
ems Mrs. DugSan then said she saw
Samson grab the lad at the corner place
him i'll the vehicle and drive rapidly
away. She gave an alarm.
The testimony of Joseph Moore was to
the effect that he was attracted by the
cries of Mrs. Duggan and, as soon he
ascertaned the cause, he at once went
10 police headquarters and reported the
occurrence. Samson's actions caused con-
siderable excitement in the neighborhood
and at the time there was much feeling
expressed against the man.
When Samson was arraigned in the Po-
lice Court this morning, he said that the
boy jumped in his wagon and started to
get out by the side. Fearing the lad
would fall he said he placed him by his
side and was simply taking him out for
drives
When seen in his cell at the police sta
ton Samson aid that he had no idea of
kidnapping the child. He added that he
had beeh drinking a little. The prisoner
says that he is a painter by trade, al
though he has been working recently for
y. }. Brown, daryman, Prince George
county. Md. and it was Browns team he
l. te
afternoon turned over TO its owner. Sew
eral papers found on Samson corroborated
his statement that he was painter. Sam
son says he formerly lived in Washington.
but since being employed by Brown he
has lived with him. He also explained
that he got the candy in Washington. and
it was his intention to give it to Browns
children. When asked the object of his
visit to this city Samson explained that
he came here to see a feed dealer, and he
was then going to Four Mile Run. AleXall-
dria county, for the purpose of getting a
load of hay and corn for Mr.. Brown
Samson is very solicitouS over his case
He asked what is generally done in such
tiary offenSe. expressed surprise. He says
he has a sister who lives in Washington
and he Will communicate with her. The
prisoner also says he will endeavor to get
lawyer to defend him. No motive can
be assigned for Samson's act.
Fifty-two houses and lots will be sold at
public auction for delinquent taxes be-
ginning December . next by City Tax
Collector p. f. German. The total amount
of taxes due on the property to be offered
for sale is s7I3.93 OF this number there
are five from the first ward with taxes
amounting to s.1.24: seven from the sec
ond ward, amounting to 500. II: thirty-two
from the third ward with taxes amount
ing to S6o0.:i4; eight from the fourth ward
with taxes amounting to SO IS. The above
number is regarded as being very small
compared to that of former years and it
is expected that between now and the
time set for the sale many of the delin-
quents will have paid up.
Prompt action on the part of the fire de-
partment at s o'clock last night prevented
what threatened to prove a serious fire at
the stables of SmOot & Co, lumber deal
ers. Lee street between Cameron and
Queen streets. Eight horses and mules
were in the stable when the blaze was
discovered in one of the stalls of the
horses All We're removed to safety ex-
cept one. and he was burned so badly it
is expected that he will have to be killed.
The damage was slight. The origin of
the fire is not known.
Notes.
Before Il large and appreciative audi
ence the Elks' Dramatic Club last even
ing presented at the opera house a farce
comedy drama in four acts, entitled
What Became of Parker?' The per-
Torrance will be repeated tonight. The
proceeds from the play will be for the
ElkS' charity fund.
a large delegation of members of Alva
Aerie No SI1 Fraternal Order of Eagles.
last night attended the Eagles bazaar in
Washington. Announcement is made that
the local aerie will elect officers for the
coming year December next.
Members of Seminole Tribe No. 81. In
dependent Order of Red Men, will go to
Washington tonight to attend Il class
adoption
Funeral services over the remains of
Samuel T. Smith will be held Sunday
afternoon at : o clock from his late home
.s0:, North Patrick street. Rev. W. w.
Van Arsdae pastor of Trinity Nj. +.