Evening star., 1915-12-19
FIFTY YEARS Ago
IN THE STAR

IN THE STAR
In the clearing up Of matters follow
ing the close Of the civil. war It was
necessary for the
Government Sale government to dis
pose of much prop
of Property. erty that had been
ACQUIRED in the course of the struggle.
Among the properties of the United
States secured for military purposes
were large stocks Of railroad materials.
the sale of which from time to time
after the war was matter Of interest
to transportation men. L. The Star of
December 13. 1865. is the following ac-
count of such a sale:
yesterday the extensive sale OF rail-
road material. iron, lumber. tools. etc.
was commenced in the shops near the
Orange and Alexandria depot In Alex
andria, at which there was a large at
tendance of the leading railroad men
Of the country manufacturers, capi-
talists and others. This is the largest
government sale of the class yet
entered upon and. it is expected. will
yield over half million of dollars
Mr.. W. Williams of the firm of Green
& Williams of this city is the auc-
tioneer The bidding yesterday was
spirited and good prices were obtained; !;
indeed, some thought nearly full mar
ket value. The stationary engines,
some in very good order, brought from
bars from Is to 1s cents per pound
rope about 10 cents per pound. Most
Of the goods sold yesterday were in
large quantities and were bought by
persons representing railroad COM
panies. the Baltimore and Ohio road
represented by Mr.. Wilson, the master
of the road being a heavy purchaser.
Much of the stock remains to be sold
and the sale will probably continue at
least a week There yet remain to be
sold two and a half million feet OF tim
ber, g number of cars. a large quantity
of railroad iron, etc. besides quantity
of office. furniture. Gen. H. L. Robin
son, who has been in charge Of the
depot. for several years. was on the
grounds with his assistants and clerks.
giving the sale his personal super
vision Yesterday being an inc1ement
day. many were under the impression
hence did not go down. but as the sale
progresses the attendance will doubt
less be very large"
When the steam railway lines were
brought into the southwestern part
of Washington,
Cars Run by Steam during the lat
in the Streets. .civ,, war with
later extensions. there was much pub
lie apprehension respecting the dangers
at the crossings, and test case was
made finally to determine whether it
was lawful to operate cars by steam in
the streets of the capital, the trial oc-
cupying a number of days. In The
Star of December Is. 1855, is the fol-
lowing news item, giving the decision
in the case:
This morning Justice Walter made
his decision in the case of John
Shulze. Robert Kinzman, James Doyle.
L. J. Gilbert. H. r. Peyton and r. H.
Smith. employees on the Orange and
Alexandria railroad. who were before
him Tuesday, Sd instant. and whose
case was concluded on the sth, their
counsel. Gen. Wells. A. G. Riddle and
w. b Webb. These parties were ar
rested by the sanitary officers of the
fourth ward charged with running
cars through the streets and avenues
of the city by steam. endangering the
lives and health of the public under
16. 1863, amending the metropolitan
police act, and a decision has been
looked for with much interest.
Justice Walter gave his decision as
follows: After a careful examination
in this case l have come to the conclu-
sion that the running of cars by steam
through the public streets and avenues
of this city is dangerous to the life
and health of the public. and it is.
therefore, nuisance at common law !
I,ar 6f fo fha
of a magistrate to issue in this partic-
ular case, under the second section of
the act of July 16, 1863, an order to
prevent the running of cars by steam,
as no provision is made as to how the
order is to be enforced; neither is
there any fine prescribed for viola
tion of the law. The act uses the term
such fines as are imposed by law
but / can find no law covering this
case. Being satisfied. however. that the
through the streets and avenues by
steam contrary to law" is a mis-
demeanor. I will hold the parties to bail
to answer the charge at court"
A fatal explosion occurred at the
arsenal in this city December IS, 1865,
being the second dis
Explosion at aster Of that kind
there. In The Star OF
the Arsenal. that day is the follow
ing account of the tragedy:
AT fifteen minutes to 2 o'clock this
afternoon terrific explosion was
heard in the direction of the arsenal,
shaking buildings in the very heart Of
the city, and soon it was ascertained
that the explosion had taken place in
small building. about twenty by
forty feet, to the left Of the main wha rf
and left of the large magazines. The
building was in charge of Sergt, Flint
of the Ordnance Corps. who had under
him the following persons. who were
engaged in sorting fixed ammunition.
removing the cartridges: Jeremiah
Mahoney, Patrick Reardon, Marshland
Whiteley. John Crane, James Moran.
Michael McDermott. John Meehan, Mar
tin Kyle, John. Feely and Peter Nc
Gariehey. Sergt. Flint had left the
building about two minutes before the
explosion, some two dozen rounds of
cartridges being then loose on the floor,
and the men had just placed on the
benches two boxes of ammunition con-
tanning eight rounds, making in all, as
far as he could account for, but about
forty pounds of powder when the ex-
plosion took place, and the building
was in ruins and flames. AS soon as
the explosion was heard Officer Weeden
sounded an alarm of fire from box II,
which brought down steamers and 8
and hook and ladder. and in a little
time large numbers of persons were
around the grounds. but none were al