davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07
Many Events Historic Interest Have Transpnd Within the Walls of Old

less gruesome places of interest in the
old "city hail."
The romancer as he traverses the long
corridors of the building might console
himself with the fact that the very
stones his feet are pressing have been
worn smooth with the frequent passing
of famous judges and officers of the law
and many of the Presidents of the United
States. For, could an old building speak,
the courthouse. like an old veteran, might
relate many tales of war times and
many incidents in the lives Of famous
men.
It's original name. the city hall. still
clings to it, though 1t has long been
in the possession of the United States.
But, in its younger days it was a city
hail. for at the time when Washington
was governed by a mayor and legis
lature the old building was meeting
place for this body. and there many of
the city's laws were made. Almost a
century has passed since the corner
stone was laid. and during its existence
the courthouse has been a setting for
great variety of scenes.
Both legislative and municipal business
have been carried on within its walls. Sc
cret and religious societies often held
their meetings in rooms in the west wing
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07

of the building. Several Of the basement
rooms were assigned to the janitors of
the building for housekeeping purposes.
and thus 1t has happened that several of
Washington's citizens were born and
reared in the city hall. Military COM
panies stored their arms there and fire.
quently drilled in the corridors and the
streets surrounding. the courthouse.
throughout the country have been tried
in the courthouse and the history of the
court itself and several features peculiar
to 1t are more or less unusual In the
earlier days Of the courthouse criminal
and legal cases were tried before what
was known as the Circuit Court Of the
District of Columbia. This court con-
sisted of chief Judge and two assistant
.quired to sit alternately in the counties Of
Alexandria and Washington, administer
ing the laws Of Virginia In the one and
the laws Of Maryland In the other, which
by the act of Congress were adopted as
a part Of the law of this District. But In
1915 the county of Alexandria was re-
troceded to Virginia.
=.
A great variety Of questions were pre-
scented from time to time to the Circuit
Court. and not the least important among
them was that Of the right Of the court
to issue q mandamus against cabinet
officer. This power was asserted by the
court and sustained by the United States
Supreme Court Thus 1t is that the old
Circuit Court and its successor, the pres
ent Supreme Court of the District, unlike
any other court In the United States. can
control q cabinet officer by Injunction or
mandamus. It is said that toward the
close OF the existence of the old Circuit
Court the opinion prevailed In Congress
that the judges Of the court sympathized
with the Confederate states. and March
&, 1853, an act was passed abolishing the
existing Circuit. District and Criminal
Courts, and establishing the Supreme
Court of the District of Columbia.
Some idea Of the spirit Of Independence
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07

HERE is scarcely
any public building
in the District Of
Columbia that en-
bodies within its
walls a more in
teresting history
than that OF the
L n ! [ e d States
courthouse, gen.
orally called the
"city hall. Any
visitor or sightseer
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07
THE GETTY HALL.

existing at the time Of the establishment
Of the District Supreme Court might be
gathered from rather humorous incl
dent connected with the first clerk Of that
court Return Jonathan Meigs. His name
was the result of a romantic bit of his
tory occurring in his grandfather's time.
Before the marriage Of his grandparents
q lovers quarrel ensued, and they parted,
never expecting to see each other again.
But the girl relented and sent the mes
sage, Return Jonathan" The young
lover returned and they were so happily
united that when the first son arrived he
received the name Of Return Jonathan
Meigs. The name was passed down
from father to son and thus became that
of the first clerk Of the District Court.
-. :.
But as regards the anecdote told Of that
particular Jonathan Meigs, tradition has
1t that when he was ninety years old and
still In active service the court presented
him with q gold-headed cane. The ma
ture Of the gift was evidently q mistake.
for Mr.. Meigs returned the cane and
declared Indignantly that he didn't need
it. and II any of the judges cared to use 1t
they might have that privilege.
It was at about this time or during the
war that the old chamber Of the board OF
common council was used by the commits
sioners to appraise the value Of slaves
owned by citizens Of the District and
emancipated by President Lincoln. An
extract from an old report Of the Secre-
tary OF the Treasury in February. 1884
gives some idea of this particular form
of business that was carried on there in
the courthouse:
AT the threshold OF their labors the
commissioners were impressed with the
Importance of having full information a
to the value of slaves, independently OF
that to be derived from the claimants
and their witnesses There are few per.
sons, especially in a community Tiki
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07

many years an interest Of comparatively
triding importance, who possess the
knowledge and discrimination as to the
value Of slaves which are necessary to a
der the law. None Of the commissioners
could lay claim to this species of infor-
nation, and to supply 1t they determined
to summon to their aid an experienced
dealer In slaves from Baltimore. AS q
means OF arriving at a fair classifcatios
Of the slaves according to, their intrinsic
utility to their owners. and with a view
to the completion Of their labors within
the time limited by law. they adopted the
plan OF first classifying the slaves accord
Ing to their value before the commence
ment OF the war, when sales were fire.
auent. and then reducing these classiflca-
lions to the average compensation allow
ed by law"
-.
Thus 1t Is that the courthouse has wit
messed the abolition of slavery and has
seen the freeing OF a race of people.
Could 1t speak it might tell some interest
ing and humorous stories connected with
the people who have entered its doors.
Not long ago an amusing incident occur
red in the courtroom The colored wit
nesses were being gathered together for
trial and the roll was called.
Lucy SMITH. was the inquiry.
Present" came the answer.
MARY JonesT' was the next name
called.
by huh side" was the reply.
But humorous incidents are not con-
fined to the colored inhabitants of the
city hall. for there are many anecdotes OF
the funny sayings and doings Of the
prominent men connected with It. Quite
a humorous story Is told OF Robert G. In
gersoli while practicing law In the court
house. On one particular day during the
trial Of q case the judge had been espe-
cielly irritable and seemed to single out
Mr.. Ingersoli as the proper man on whom
to vent his wrath. TO the relief Of the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07

81 On 2SS e
20 :zzllItA1 So - BY H
You Can't Kn,
OF course you don't know everything How you? Why
shoud because ignorant
Of most subjects
There great of whom have heard-great
exploits which have principles OF which
YOU laws which have
thousand innoytas have lived in
90 far you concerned
There kingdoms that can't locate asked
call off the capitals of the world you'd nu dozen
nomenclature of chemistry mathematics physics medicine enei
neerng and diplomacy meaningless sounds to
Resolutions ranspre crafts and sciences and goUenents
and you actually unconscious Of the changes.
Every you confess complete lack Of information topics
which commonplace to Others
It's dollars cruers that you can't distinguish between diff
fentia calculus and aren't whether
Russian the bnoni theorem
is statute formula
But .pbat of it.? Neither do the Of as
IF mechanic all discussion Of radio acfipity,
chemist just likely be of his element rolling mill
You aren't expected to be omnscient
In exisences you couldn't famiaze yourself with all
the facts that all the people have gathered
Don't be ashamed acknowledge human limitation Your
range Of ideas just Dde and the Of conprehen
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07
Everything!

sane leisure and the same education.
But we do look to to make good at
yourself with possible detail that bears
immediate keep Investigating and searching and
Podeng and specializing phase Of specially
You haze time for that It's immediate obligations
duty you owe to yourself and
We only progress a society in proportion the
progress Of the indiDiduaL
No be erudite enough to all questions
but must know lDhere learn and from ohon,
community must be composed Of many types-ts
pons must be diUeseand each of do which
he is best equipped nteeeny and inenty the limit
his poOers.
As gain in Disdon, realize and the sanity
and Of division boof close application specific
details We behold in specialization the shortest
efficiency The standard of the many only be
ting each the task which he likely to do better
than any other
7horoughness is the most uital of considerations.
Every day distrusfful Of the "know-it-a"
You need feel loss Of seNrepec you find yourself
unable to cope with another mans theme.
But when the battle is carried into your counry-when
find that Others know than you about your ob-hen
it Is time to blush as soeH as hush
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
FINE MARINES ARE
,WOUNDED.|N ATTACK
!. UPON CH|CH|GALPA
Admiral Switzerland Sends
Wireless Reporting Sub
jugation of Rebels.

Admiral Switzerland late today sent
wireless message to the Navy De-
partment, stating that the American
forces occupied the town OF Chichigalpa
on october I. after brieg fight In
which Ave American marines were
slightly wounded.
Sergeant ]. Smith was shot In the left
wrist. Corporal C. Clement was wound
ed in the right forearm. Private IL.
Hudson was wounded in the scalp.
Private F. L. Harris had his thumb
shot of, and o. L. Tolmadge, an elcc-
trician. was hit In the foot by stray
bullet.
The department has not yet received
confirmation of the seizure of the town
Of Leon. where three marines were re-
ported to have been killed by a mob
flast Sunday. -'- ~ - "'
Under command Of Lieutenant Colonel
Long, the Americans marched into
Chichigalpa Sunday morning and were
met In the streets by an Irresponsible
mob who opened fire. The marines re-
turned the fire, killing fifty OF the mob
and woundipg forty others. The rioters
were driven out Of the town.
General Irias and about a dozen other
rebel leaders, asked for safe conduct to
leave the country, and this was granted
! nv Admiral Switzerland and President
Diaz with the proyiso that they should
not return.
EVERY leader of the revolution has
laid down his arms and General Zele-
don, one Of chief lieutenants Of Genera
! Mena, is dead. To show the character
OF Zeiedon, United States Minister Welt
eel yesterday sent the following cable
| gram! to the. state Department:
| "One OF the Nicaraguan rebels takeI
! prisoner ., when Zeledon was capturec
has Informed the government that Zeie
don and his twenty-five partisans, while
| fleeing toward the Costa Rican bound
| ary met three women, whom Zeledon
murdered In cold blood In order to pre-
| vent their bringing news of his move
ments to the pursuing forces" ...
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
Best for q Child -a
Syrup of Figs is
If its little tongue Is coated, breath
feverish, stomach sour and
bowels clogged.

Every mother Immediately realizes
after giving her child delicious Syrup
Of Figs that this is the ideal laxative
and physic for the children. Nothing
else regulates the little ones stom-
ach. liver. and 30 feet of tender bowels
SO promptly, besides they dearly love
Its delightful fig taste. 80, 81. ...-....
II your child isn't feeling well: rest
ing nicely; eating regularly, and act
it's little insides need gentle. thorough
cleansing at once. ,..,..
When cross. irritable. feverish. stom-
ach sour. breath bad. or your little one
has stomach-ache, .diarrhoea, sore
throat, full of cold. tongue coated, give
a teaspoonful Of Syrup OF Figs and In a
few hours all the foul, constipated.
clogged up waste. undigested food, and
sour bile will gently move on and out
Of Its little bowels without nausea,
gripping. or weakness. and you will sure
ly have a well. happy and smiling child
again shortly.
with Syrup Of Figs you are not drug.
ging your children, being composed
entirely Of luscious figs. SIENNA. and
aromatics, II cannot be harmful
Mothers should always keep Syrup OF
Figs handy. 1t Is the only stomach
liver, and bowel cleanser and regulator
needed-a little given today win save
a sick child tomorrow.
Full directions for children Of ali
ages and grown-ups plainly printed on
the package. 49, - In =. .,-.--r
Ask your druggist for the full name
Syrup of Figs and Elixir OF SIENNA,
prepared by the California Fig Syruy
Co. This Is the delicious tasting. gen.
uine old reliable. Refuse anything els,
offered.
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
Lieut.. Becker's Wife Is
Confident of Acquittal;
Smiles at Her Husband

NEW YORK. Oct. &-The remarkable
assurance Of acahittal displayed by
Charles Becker IL shared. by his wife.
II her words and manner during the
opening day Of his trial yesterday are
any indication Of her, mental attitude.
Modishly gowned and hatred. she was
the picture of weli-bred prosperity as
she, was ushered into the court room
BY an obsequious court. attendant
There was nothing about her to indi-
in the trial than any other spectator.
Il feel Just; fine she said In answer
to u friends question. mo: | am not
dlseo1rssed bit. everything is going
Her smile was CHEEKY. her manner
confident as she uttered the words.
Woman of Keen Mind.
There is nothing or the teary cling
ing vine about Helen Becker. A pretty
woman. oharmingly feminine In out
reserve force; of hard-headed practl-
cality about her. easily discernible to
the experienced observer.
. Fo5 years s che The has ssboo ssho0
mannerlsms are rather pronounced.
Prim In manner. quick ana decided
in speech, rncompromisin- In. attitude.
one realizes after studying her that
eHt 10 WoHldH VINO ndktS fneT own
mind without consulting any other
opinion. l %.
A weaker woman would have been
crushed nv the relentless strength of
Charles Becker. One more idealIstic
could not have endured conditions re-
Vealed by events Just passed.
1t IL a matter Of reco"d that Helen
Becker banked most Of the money her
husband has rlysterious'y acquired dur.
Ing the months he was the Cigar OF
the gambling squad"
Smiles at Her Husband.
In person Mrs. Becker Is small AND
trim. Yesterday she wore a blue gowr
with a small blue velvet hat, a blacl
coat. black shoes and white gloves
She followed the proceedings or tn,
court with interested eyes AMI one,
smiled cheerily at her husband as h,
caught her eve. 1t Is evident that the,
are rare good comrades
How inucn o. how little Helen Beck
erSknows OF her husbands secrets WILL
never be known. for her thin. firm lip
mark the type of woman that can kee!
secret to The death. but this mlicn on
can confidently assert from seeing he
in the courtroom.
Found guilty or innocent Helen Beck
er is the kind of woman who will stant
by her husband to the bitter end.
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
BROOKLANC FLOWER
AND FRUIT EXHIBIT
WILL OPEN TODAY
Fourth Annual Show of Dis
trict Garden Spot to Be
Success.

The fourth annual flower, fruit. and
vegetable exhibition OF the Brookla nd
Brotherhood will be held in Lord Mo
orial Hall this afternoon, evening aud
tomorrow afternoon and evening.
+ This is an occasion looked forwerd
to with great pleasure BIZ the citizens
Of Brookland and community. Through
the efforts Of Charles r. Tanslii dur
Ing the past few years. Brookiand has
developed into one of the prettlest
garden spots in1the District. He has
encouraged the cultivation of roses and
other flowers, and wherera few years
were grown In this suburb. II Is now
the boast of the citizens that almost
every yard Ii adorned with plants.
The exhibits at this show are con.
siderably more extensive than in any
but the competition e keener than ever
before.
The Brookland Citizens Associat icn
of which NJ. M. Mclean IL president,
and the University Heights and yicini-
fdss T. n7ssSsnt ssvs Of ,oines viii
the Brookland Brotherhood to make
the exhibition success.
One Of the features will be the large
number of exhibits by the housewives
In the jellies, jams, apple-butter, and
D. ii. Oertly is chairman Of the com.
mittee in charge OF the show. He II
ssisted by w r. Hall, vice chairman
Charles r. Tansill, secretary; J. L
Primm, assistant secretary; w. @
Lieuallen. C. II. Etc. and A. A. Car
Mr.. Tansill is president of the Broth.
erhood, under whose direct auspices
the exhibition is given.
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
IRISH HOME RULE
ADVOCATE IS HERE
! AS HONORED GUEST
William H. K. Redmond Be-
lives Erin May Be Ma
n tion in a Year.

lone may not prophesy anything with
certainty, but II does look as Ireland
U,ij be free a year ,ro,n the coming
Nav 'gtodaY sa,d w,,iian II *, Rel.
mona bratIer ~ J"hm pa,,nond irish
mn riianentariar TO- ,,,,.ntw'nire wears.
ana nnssibiv tha ars, nrsn;er az Ire
land when bo,rn ,,,ie a. granted,
! MI Redmond accomnanied bv Mira.
Redmond ayr,,.ed IL = Xya shingfop a. !
so.ctotk this aftsrncp,, from ThJca oo IN
be the guest and sneaker at a recention
Chs evening az o clock Mt the Garden
Iii the Liberia, partv holds it's mower.
home rule Ia assured" said Mr.. Red
mond, and the prospects are that the
party will so continue. Everyone knows
the house OF lords is now poweriess 10
veto thesbil introduced last May. which
requires two years to go through and
into erect under parliamentary pro-
cedure.
Ulster Uprising.
Mr.. Redmond expressed the hope that
the American people will not take very
seriously the uprising in Ulster against
the granting OF home rule.
Ulster IL by no means a unit against
a free Ireland. said he. ITO begin
with, half the population. the Roman
Catholics. are for home rule. and a
large percentage Of the Protestants Of
USER are OF similar MIND. accounts
OF tne recent protests have been greatly
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
BECKER'S TRIAL TO
. Be RUSHED IN FEAR |.
OF EAST SIDE GANGS
Attack on Courtroom Posi-
bility Of Which Officials :.
Are Afraid.
CONTINUED from First Page,

CONTINUED from First .Page) .
that first manfI'ni be all right. He is
the type Of man want. A Jury box
filled with his kind would satisfy me.
The higher class the men are the better
I am pleased. Men Of intelligence will
readily understand the position into
which I am, forced; ignorant men may
be easily fooled aby they clever net
work which understand, the district
attorney. is prepared to- weave around
me" =. .1-- ., ~ =, 81 =.
There were 900 veniremen left out Of
, the first panel when the elimination Of
the men was resumed today.
Secure Two Jurors.
Juror No. was. easily secured during
the first hour In the person OF Robert
c. Purcell, a chemist, who declared
that he had no opinion regarding the
case and could try. the defendant fairly.
Mcintyre. evidently impressed with his
fairmindedhess. passed him.
After seven men had been interro-
gated and quickly disposed of, John b.
Hardy, a retired business man, was
drawn. He had read about the case,
but had no positive opinion and was
Is juror No. ..
"itncSs DlSdpPeAIs. ..
While the talesmen were being ex-
amined It became known that one Of the
most Important witnesses for the prose-
cution had vanished This witness IL
the Salvation Army girl who. was across
the street from the Metropole Hotel
when Rosenthal. was killed In July. She
was an eye witness of the tragedy.
District Attorney whitman has pri-
vate detective trying to find the girl be-
fore she is needed on the stand. .
Mr.. Mcintyre, is the latest figure IN
the case to receive a death threat. He
got the following letter. postmarked
Brooklyn, Oct. T." through the mails
today. then turned It over to the postal
authorities: -
you put up. the murder of Jack Ze-
Zig. II Becker Is ecauitted. woe unto
you. A bullet for yours. II Becker is
convicted and you stay his, execution,
you will die--you SHALL. die before he
does. No crook is writing this nor Is
u maniac" O.. VI y 49,
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
TWO GREAT FIGHTERS
GREETED BY FLEET
Dreadnoughts Wyoming and Ar.
kansas Welcomed on First
Appearance in Port.

NEW YORK. Oct. s.-The big dread
noughts, wyoming and Arkansas
Joined the war fleet at anchor in the
Hudson river today. this being their
first appearance IN port. They were
given a warm reception as they steamed
to their places in the line representing.
as they do. the lard word in marine
architecture. The fleet will all be in
part by Thursday night, II Is expected.
Today, and, In fact, most Of the re-
mainder of the week. will be given
up to pleasure. so far as the crews
are concerned. Heavy shore leaves are
IN order, as none will be granted Mon
day and Tuesday when the grand re-
view by the President is sch sduled.
Many OF The officers and sailors at
tended the ball game at the Polo
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
How to Remove
Frsckles FREE

There Is only one way to really, RI,
yourself of every sort OF skin ble,n,s,
including pimples. and that In 10 Do
Viola Cream.
Viola Cream Is like other creams onl,
IN name, y does not cover up blemish
es or clog the pores but by gentle. sur,
es the old sallow. pimply, freckied ski
a June rose
Go to the nearest drug store and pur.
antee Of satisfaction or send your nam,
and address and that of your druggis
to the O. c. Bittner Co., Dept o, 10
ledo. Ohio. and receive a free treat
For sale in washington bv o'Don
neli's Pharmacies.
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
FIND TRUE BILL i
ON GIRLS CHARGE
MARYLAND Man Indicted for AL.
legged Assault on Nine
Year-Old.

The grand jury sitting at Upper MARI
a true bill against Armand d. Bestor.
and he will be tried this month In
circuit court on a charge Of criminally
assaulting Lulu CLANCY, q nine-year-oid
girl.
tention for several days and at fret
resulted in his acquittal before a local
magistrate. States Attorney Roberts
was not satisfied. however, and BROUGHT
Bestor before a second magistrate who
committed him to jai! in default OF
bond, and caused him to be held for
the action of the grand jury.
The grand jury took up several minor
ca SEES today, summoning witnesses IN
the case OF Henry jackson. colored,
charged with horse stealing, and Frank
Seeman, colored. charged with house..
breaking. A half dozen other minoi
cases were disposed of.
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
officials Hear Nothing
y =" of Injury to Eight

william H. yErbeck, of Battery F.,
Third Field Artillery. one of the eight
men injured r by the premature explo-
sion of a shell In. thIee-inch field gun
probably wii not be, brought to Walter
Reed Hospital. . - ;. - ~ r.'
Tho inquiry started by the War De-
partmert has 30 far brought forth no
detailed information regarding the acct
dent. tits supposed none Of the men
were dangerously hurt, or details would
haye been sent to the Washington au-
thorities.f KY, -,
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
Suffragists in Session.

DIES MONIES. Iowa. Oct. Sat a
conference of the Iowa Equal Suffrage
Association here today the preliminary
steps were taken in what Is intended
TO be the most active campaign that the
women Of the Hawkeye State have
ever waged in an effort to secure the
right of franchise. For the present the
women will devote their efforts toward
Occurring the election OF those candi-
dates for the legislature who have de-
clared themselves favorable to the pro-
posed suffrage amendment to the State
constitution.
The Washington times., 1912-10-08
Alleged Gambler Arrested.

william r. Mann, one OF the six al
legged to have run gambling games at
the Benning race track on Labor Day
was arrested in Richmond, Va, this
afternoon, according to a dispatch re-
ceived at police headquarters With the
arrest OF Mann four OF the alleged
gamblers have been arrested and the
police believe the other two will be ap-
pretended within a short time.