Evening star., 1909-08-27
HAPPENINGS IN ALEXANDRIA
co1oRED woMAN IS DROWNED
FROM A SCoW.
Plans to Be Opened for Elks' New
Home-Acquitted of Non-Sup-
port Charge.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, August -, 1900.
Melissa Piper, colored, about twenty-eight
years old, was drowned about go
oclock this morning from the scow Lily
Of the West at the wharf Of W. A. Smoot
& Co., at the foot of Queen street The
Washington harbor police boat came
down about noon and is dragging for the
body. Should it be recovered this after
noon 1t will be taken to an undertaking
establishment. where an inquest WILL be
held tonight by Coroner S. B. Moore.
The woman left the cabin this morning
and came out on, deck. and fell In about
twenty-five feet Of water. At the same
time a large tin bucket also went over
board. The sound of the bucket attract
ed Edward Lloyd, alias Grooms, colored,
in charge of the scow, who hastened on
deck to find the woman struggling in the
water. He reached her a pole to catch
hold OF, he says. but before she could
grasp, II she went down. In the mean
time Grooms cried to Oliver Martin, col
ored, who was asleep on deck, and the
latter ran to assist, but too late.
Martin, says he saw Grooms push a
pole, in the water for her to. grasp.
Grooms subsequently, appeared at the
police station and reported the drown
ing. He was examined, and afterward
told to remain. in the city to appear be-
fore the coroner.s jury. Other witnesses
who Will probably be summoned include
William T. Duley J. b. Duley, Oliver
the last two, named colorad.
Announcemsnt is made that the, plans,
drawn by five. competing architects. for
the new home for the Alexandria Lodge OF
Elks will be opened Monday afternoon
N ~ A ~ a% -II,~s 80
PRINCE and Royal streets, and the name of
the successful architect Will be made pub
lie. Immediately thereafter specifications
will be drawn and the contract will be
awarded and the work of construction be-
gun.
According to the plans outlined by the
committee. the building will be of brick
and will be three stories nigh. 1t will be
erected on Hot on the south side of
Prince street between Royal and Fairfax
streets. and will cost approximately $780,
600. 1t will. therefore, adjofn the present
home at the southeast corner of Prince
and Royal streets 80.
The plans include clubroom on the
first floor, together with a public recep-
tien hall. The second floor will be deyot-
ed to entertainments and dances, while
the third floor will be equipped for lodge
room purposes. and will he arranged with
lockers and other necessary. equipments.
The committee In charge of the building
is composed of the following: r. 8. Bar
rett, chairnian: H. w. Smith, secretary;
T. W. Robinson, treasurer: j.. W. Bales,
chairman of the construction committee:
Fora Hill. chairman of the finance COM
mittee; Dr. w M. Smith. August Oehiert,
Frank NJ. Hill. Augustus Pohi. c. c. Car
lin. T. A. Fisher, and Jacob Brill. the
last named three being honorary MEM
bers Of the committee.
A meeting of the George Washington
Rifles, the newly organized military COM
pauy, was held last night at 1872 North
Royal street. at which time considerable
routine business was disposed Of 1t was
decided to wear a continental uniform.
The plans outlined by the company in
clude the purchase of large piece of
ground In the northwestern section OF the
city, which will be fenced in and used
as an athletic park. Advertising on the
fencing. 1t is expected. will pay for the
same.
Annual dues were fixed at $12. In the
course of a period of three years 1t is
hoped to raise 81. 600 from the 100 mem
bers Of the company. and this will. it Is
claimed. form the nucleus for an armory
1t Is pointed out that the armory will be
rented out, and the rents derived from
the same will make the company self
sustaining.
The quarantine which was established
ago was lifted this morning by order of
Health Ohhcer German, and the occu-
pants, numbering 100. are rejoicing The
woman suffering with smallpox. who lives
on the third door Of the building is said
to be entirely cured.
John TrOmbell was arraigned In the oo-
lice court this. morning to answer a charge
OF failing to support his wife. His wife
] testified that he left her six weeks ago.