Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-23
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
Mrs. Henrietta Petry Prob
ably Fatally Burned.
DROPPED A LIGHTED MATCH
Prizes Offered for Essays by Public
School Children-Laying Out
Base Ball Park.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

special Correspondence OF Inc Star.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, March o, 1911.
Mrs. Henrietta Petry. employed as
housekeeper at the Hotel Rammel, was
probably fatally burned shortly after 5
o clock this morning while in her room
at the hotel. Mrs. Petry had arisen and
struck q match to light candle. She
accidentally dropped the lighted match,
and almost instantly her night clothing
was in flames. 1t is not known whether
the match first ignited her clothing or
the bed clothing.
Anyhow, in a few moments after she
was heard to strike the match occupants
Of the hotel were attracted by her cries.
Mrs. Petry had run out of her room into
the hallway on the first floor, screaming
for help.
The first to arrive was A. F. Cannaday,
a special agent for the Washington
Southern railway. who occupied room
nearby. w. L. Rammel, proprietor of the
hotel and William Bowie, an attache Of
the place, also came to Mrs. Petrys as
sistance. Mr.. Cannaday seized the quilt
on his bed and quickly smothered the
flames, not, however, until Mrs. Petry had
been burned from head to foot.
DR.. T. M. Jones was summoned and
gave what relief he could to Mrs. Petry.
Her arms. neck. chest and other parts Of
the body were badly burned.
Mrs. Petry, who came from Baltimore,
has been at the Hotel Rammel for some
time. The bed, clothing, carpets and a
chair and other articles in the rooms were
practically destroyed by fire. An alarm
sponded. The fire was suppressed with a
chemical extinguisher. The loss will. 1t is
thought, be about $500, covered by insur-
ance.
Prizes for Children's Essays.
Prizes of $40 each are to be awarded
public school children by the Civic I'm
provement League for tie best written
essays on Civic Work and Improve
ment in Keeping Back Yards" This
was decided upon at meeting of the
league last evening.
1t was also decided to circulate several
thousand circulars throughout the city
warning the people against the evils OF
and telling what action is necessary to
prevent. such diseases.
Action on the fixing Of a date for a
day to be designated as Cleanup day"
was deferred until next regular meeting
of the league.
Elks will come to this city Monday even
ing to initiate class Of candidates Of the
local lodge.
Preparing a Base Ball Park.
Preliminary. work on base ball park
has been begun. Post holes are being
dug and the fencing will shortly be
erected. The park will be located in the
square bounded by Alfred. Patrick, Pen
dleton and Wythe streets.
Fitzgerald Council, No. 459, knights of
Columbus, met last night at st. Mary s
Hall, when considerable business Of a
routine nature was disposed Of.
Rev. William r. Bushby Of Washing
ton preached last night at Grace p. E.
Church.
The Emerson Engine Company. incor-
porated, has, through Charles B. Mar
shall, donated a fve-hundred-d en-
CINE for the Elks' spring festival, which
will be held for ten days, beginning April
IL. A metal exhibition stand will be loan
ed for displaying the engine.
William p. Taylor has been eletced vice
president Of the Reliance Fire Engine
Company to fill the vacancy caused by the
death of ]. r. N Curtin.