The Washington herald., 1914-12-26

his parents considerable anxiety. and the
! father fears his son may have drowned
in Hunting Creek.
When Ralph had not returned home at
noon today, his father. who conducts a
truck farm across Hunting Creek, came
to Alexandria to see IL he could hnd any
trace of the missing boy. According TO
reports. he traced him up to 1880 o'clock
last night, when he was on his way
home. He was seen last in front OF
O'Sullivan's grocery store, Patrick and
Franklin streets.
A hole made in the ice surrounding
Hunting Creek bridge, Just about the
size that would have been made by a
mans body going through, was discovered
by the father. and leads him to believe
his son in al probability fell OF the
bridge in the darkness, as 1t is said
there is no railing at that point.
The protracted absence of the boy was
reported to the Alexandria police this
afternoon.
Young Johnston was a man of exem-
plary habits and never before remained
away from home overnight This
strengthens the belief of the father that
his son may have been drowned Mrs.
Johnston is frantic with grief over her
sons prctracted and unexplained absence.
| A hat was found near the end Of Hunt
/ ing Creek bridge in the snow, but an
examination. disclosed that it was not
Johnston's. II probably was lost by some
one crossing the bridge.
Alexandra spent a very quiet Christ
mas There was no disorder reported to
the police Of any description. The day
was given over to church services. dis
tribution Of gifts and parties, and there
| %
The day was ushered in with early
services at a number Of the churches,
| the first mass at st. Marys Catholic
\ Church being celebrated at s o'clock.
Services in the Methodist Episcopal
! South and Methodist Protestant churches
were held at o'clock. Most Of the other
churches held services at IL o'clock.
Inmates Of the various institutions, in
cluding the city aims house, city jail,
and Chfldren's Home, were made happy
with turkey dinners The 'kiddies'' at
the home enjoyed q big tree filed with
gifts. and prisoners in the Jail were given
! freedom of the corridors in the after
noon. A number Of the colored inmates
rendered old plantation melodies and
made the others feel the spirit Of the oc-
casion, despite the fact they were be-
hind prison bars.
The usual blowing Of horns and the
discharging Of fireworks were mot in
evidence.
Promptly at noon members Of Old Do
minion Commandery, No. H. knights
TempISr, assembled in their asylum and
drank toast to the health OF Most Emf
nent Grand Master Arthur Mac Arthur.
The toast was proposed by W. B. Davis,
eminent commander.
Suspected Of the theft OF ladies' gold
watch from the residence of ~ L.
RisheIll, southeast corner OF Columbus
and Queen streets, November 5, Kossus
Wfiliahs,' fifteen years old, and Milton
Stewart, both colored. in the Police Court
today were held for action Of the grand
jury. An effort, to pawn the timeplece
by third party resulted in the arrest of
the youngsters and recovery of the watch
by Chief Goods, Sergeant Scott and Po-
Iiceman G. Harvey.
Three pistols, a. shotgun and several
boxes Of cartridges were obtained by
thieves who last night broke the show
window Of the store of George Ayers. 32l
King street Report Of the robbery was
made to the police today - Mr.. Ayers.
There were twelve names on the docket
at police headquarters. Most Of the per
sons arrested forfeited collateral, and
Justice Cation sent two to jail for terms
OF ten and twenty days each 10 get over
the effects Of a big Christmas celebration.