Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-20
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Government to Investigate
: Sinking of Steamer Trenton.
RIGID INQUIRY TO BE MADE
Coroner's Jury Fixes Responsibility
for Posey Child's Death.
MECHANICS ORDER ADJOURNs
Confidence Men Separate William
johnson From His Money-Gen-
eral and Personal News.
RIGID INQUIRY TO BE MADE
MECHANICS ORDER ADJ0URNs
Special Correspondence OF The Star.

ly after II O'Clock by a jury, summoned
by Coroner S. B. Moore. which met at
Wheatley's undertaking establishment to
investigate the death of the infant son of
l Mr.. and Mrs f. Maury Posey. the child
that was drowned when the steamer Tren-
; ton sank at an Alexandria wharf several
weeks ago. The verdict was as follows
STANLEY D. Posey came to his death by
drowning due TO the sinking of the
: steamer Trenton Of the Potomac Naviga-
: ton Company at Alexandria,. Va. the
sinking of the steamer being due 10 the
l. lack of discipline and mismanagement on
: the part of the company aforesaid
, primarily through negligence on the part
Eof member of the crew. one Joseph Will
lianis, he having testified to opening for
ward portfolios on each side while the
boat was under way between Washington
and Alexandria
Following the announcement of the YER
dict Williams was taken in custody by
Deputy City Sergeant B. b. Smith and
locked up at police headquarters. Will
lams will in all probability be turned
over to the United States authorities for
trial. 1t was pointed out that the alleged
offense occurred in District waters.
Williams was employed aboard the
steamer a deck hand. He is eighteen
years of age and resides at 11112 Delaware
avenue southwest Washington. He was
night. and he admitted in response to
Questions several times that he opened the
portfolios after the steamer left Wash
Iington. He opened two forward portfolios.
one each side. he said. for the purpose
of letting air into the hold of the steamer,
after which he went to sleep. and was
| aroused by the blowing of the boat for
this city. Witness said he afterward got
up, and forgot to- close the ports.
Cross-Examination.
On cross-examination Williams said he
| first told of opening the portfolios to
Mr.. G. A. Berry Washington attorney.
who. with Rosa F. Downing. also of
Washington. represented Capt. Davis and
| Mate Beach. Williams said he was taken
| to Mr.. Berry's office by Capt, Davis. He
admitted having denied to Mr.. Berry that
| he opened the portfolios, but afterward
confessed. He said he felt better for
having told the truth after which he
broke down and wept.
Williams told the jury that on one &C.
casion capt. Davis told him not to open
the portfolios, He said when the holes
| were opened on the trip referred to the
boat had not arrived at TIE steel plant
Williams appeared to be considerably
frightened after taking the stand. and at
Etmes during the giving of his testimony
lie could hardly. be heard. He made
anxious inquiry to what would he
Idone with him after the jury returned
its verdict. He told Deputy Sergeant
| Smith that he had never been arrested
Before in his life.
| rigid Investigation as to the sinking
of the Trenton will begin at 10 o'clock
tomorrow morning by the government
leauthorities. and # is expected that IL will
not be concluded until Friday. Members
Of the boats crew have been summoned
| to appear before the board of INQUIRY
which will be composed of Edward F.
White and Charles w. Wright of the Bal
tlmOrp
ton will be held behind closed doors in
the. custom house. and witnesses will be
detained in separate room.
The board Will. 1t. is understood. report
its findings to George I-hler. supervisor
of the steamboat inspection service.
Concluding Session Held.
The second annual convention of the
State Council. Junior Order of United
American Mechanics. was concluded yes
ter6ay evening with the election of the
/ following officers: Thomas Chauncey,
state councillor. Alexandria; B. B. Bott
vice councillor Norfolk; James r. Mans
field secretary. Alexandria. ]. Fl Thimyer
treasurer. Alexandria,: H. G. Sauls con-
ductor. Fairfax: l.. D. Addison. warder,
Dunn Loring Fairfax: c. NJ. Money.
chaplain. Vienna Fairfax; W. D. Tim
norman. inside sentinel, Alexandria,; c.
f. Hill, outside sentinel. Norfolk: w. H.
| Bowman, Vienna; ]. T. Cox. Norfolk; G.
W. Laycock. Hamilton Loudoun county.
trustees. 1t was decided to hold the next
convention at Roanoke, Va.
The members were last night rendered
banquet at Odd Fellows Hall. Covers
We're laid for one hundred. Corporation
| Attorney Samuel P. Fisher made an adj
dress of welcome behalf of the city.
Others who responded to toasts We're:
Virtue" Rev. G. l. HUMPHREYS, pastor
of the Methodist Protestant Church:
Liberty" w r. Trower Norfolk: pa.
| triOtiSnl T
migration" Representative C. C. Carlin,
this city.
Old Game Worked
William Johnson. coored, employed as
la fireman on the Southern railway. was
victimizad out of $50 yesterday afternoon
while standing near the corner of King
and Washington streets by two plausible
-colored men, who were working" to-
sether. One of the men asked johnson
for the change of a fifty-doliar bill. saw
ing he found it. Johnson produced but
SO and the pal produced $40. adding that
the latter amount was all he had Tho
stranger totaled both amounts and said
he would go to nearby store and get
the bill changed. He presumably left for
a store and has not been seen since His
pal also left. Johnson then realized that
he had been yictimized. He reported the
matter to the police.
Entertainment Programs.
Oak Farm a comedy drama in three
acts. was presented at the Opera House
last night by the Elks' Dramatic Club
before large and appreciative audience
The players were heartily applauded
The participants included Harry Fleich-
mann, Harry B. Quinn. H. Linden Wheat
ley. Edward ]. Fleming. David E. Robey.
j. Fred Rirrell, Frank w. Smith, Mrs II
F'riedaner. Miss Marie Fannon, Miss Ida
Breen, Mrs. A. u. Monitor. Mr. Leon
| Cohen of Washington was musical di-
rector. The performance was under the
, direction of MIR. A. d. Monitor, manager
The afternoon of song and story given
yesterday al "Colross," the residence of
. Mrs. William A. Smoot was we'll patron
| lied and proved a delightful affair The
house was profusely decorated with roses
and other flowers, while on the spacious
, lawn fronting the house We're pitched red
white and blue camp tents decorated Witt
Japanese lanterns and umbrellas In the
tents refreshments were served Miss
Jean Wilson 81 Washington Won her au.
dience in her rendition of the Rose of the
: Old Regime, and she danced a minuet
! attired in colonial costume, with Miss
Savage of Boston as accompanist In her
, musical program Miss Wilson was assist :
, ed by Mr.. Kenneth w. Ogden of this CITY
| who rendered several solos with pleasing
, effect Miss Rowen also gave several
: solos.
The proceeds will be used for erecting a
/ bronze memorial tablet, which will contain
the names of those serving as pallbearers
ar WaShinptOn's funeral and II will ha