Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-30
HAPPENINGS IN ALEXANDRIA
POLICE CLEAR UP THREE ROB-
Berries BY AN ARREST.
Frank Johnson Held for Identified
ton of Property-Unusual
Amount of Plumber Secured.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, January 80 1909.
Frank Johnson, charged with having
committed three robberies in Fairfax
county within the past forty-eight hours.
and who was arrested late yesterday aft
ernoon. was this morning committed to
jail for ten days, at the instance OF Com
monwealth Attorney Brent. for the pur-
pose of awaiting the identification OF the
horse and wagon which Johnson had and
which the authorities believe was stolen.
Should it have been stolen. Johnson will
be turned over to the authorities from
the place 1t was stolen. otherwise he will
be turned over to the Fairfax county au-
thorities.
With the arrest of Johnson the police
think they have cleared up three bold
robberies. as follows: Berkeley D. Richard.
.Annandale; Charles 3. Powell and ]. +.
Hummer. Baileys Cross Roads. The
former robbery was committed Wednes-
day night, and the latter Thursday night
last. Practically all Of the stolen goods
were recovered. The value OF the stolen
property is about $500
Chief Goods yesterday afternoon was
Informed that strange man had rented
a stable in Friendship alley, bounded by
and that he had a strange looking horse.
Chief Goods and Lieut.. Smith, acconlpa-
MED by Policemen Garvey. Bell, Rawlett,
Sherwood. Young and Arlington sur
rounded the place. Within few min
utes Johnson appeared on the scene with
a bucket of water for his horse. He was
at once taken in custody. and an exam
ination of the stable revealed 1000 pounds
of bacon and ham. two sacks OF corn, one
single set Of harness. one double set OF
carriage harness one ladies' and one gen.
tleman's saddle, other harness and traces
bag of beans. tools. rope. sacks. peas
and a variety of small articles used in
farmhouses. 1t required two wagons to
convey the loot to police station. While
it was being gathered large crowd col
lected.
The owners of the stolen property
called at police headquarters this morn
ing, and. after Identifying it. had it
turned over TO them.
Tramping Over Country.
Johnson says he is twenty-five years old
and unmarried. His home is in New
York. but he had been tramping about
the country. According to his story he
had an accomplice named Thomas Jones.
about thirty-five years old, also OF New
York. whom he first met in Lancaster.
Pa. He says Jones left him yesterday
morning saying that he was going to
visit a friends house. and would return
later. He left instructions to lookout for
everything" Johnson says he was UNI
decided whether or not they would have
made another trip into the country last
night for more loot.
The police discredit the story Of his ac-
complete. This is strengthened by the
fact that Johnson. when he rented the
stable Tuesday last. was alone.
johnson says the entire loot was the
work Of two nights, and made two good
wagon loads. He claims that he never
entered the places for fear Of being shot
or captured, but simply assisted his pal
in putting the goods into the wagon
which they used in connection with their
robberies He further says that Jones al
ways had plenty of money, but gave him
but little. They sold some of the stolen
meat, he says, and used the proceeds to
buy groceries.
When arrested Johnson had but - cents
in his possession cheap watch and
compass 1t was remarked at the police
station that he doubtless used the latter
to guide him on 1.-The way" Johnson APP
peared very crestfallen this morning over
his predicament He remarked Il guess
they will hang me for this Later he
expressed wish to see lawyer. In
reply to a question whether or not he
had any money he replied that his horse
and wagon was good collateral. He as
serts that Jones gave him thu horse and
vehicle, telling him he paid $3.50 for the
outfit. and told him If lie ever got into
trouble he could dispose of It and use the
funds to assist him in getting out
Masonic Bazaar.
The finishing touches are being put on
the interior of Armory Hall preparatory
to the opening of the big Masonic bazaar
Monday night next The various commit
tees are hard at work. and when the doors
are thrown open to the public Monday
night every detail will have been COM
pleted. Many organizations have been
invited to be present and practically every