Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-12-19
UNDER 7 AKER
.SEEKSSTRANCER
Who SECURED $50
Man First Tells Story of
Sudden Death in
Brooklyn
FAIL TO FIND BODY"
Lodge Here Also Fails to Find Dead"
Mans Name on ROster-Wanted
Father Buried Here.

A stranger giving the name OF
Smith appeared at noon yesterday at
the undertaking establishment of
William H. Demaine ana after telling
story of his fathers sudden death
in Brooklyn, N. Y, succeeded in get
ting $50 in cash from w. Fl. Demaine
to help him in his difficulty to get
to New York and later in the day the
police of this city and Washington
were requested to apprehend the
man.
According to Mr.. Demaine man
giving the name Of Smith yesterday
came to his place and explained that
he was in great distress having just
been notified that his father had met
a sudden death in Brooklyn, n. Y.
He stated that he wanted Mr.. De-
maine to handle the funeral and have
the body sent here and have the fu
neral take place from the chapel.
The stranger suggested that Mr..
Demaine send someone along with
him to complete the details for the
funeral. It was explained to the man,
however, that this method would be
entirely unnecessary inasmuch as the
work could be done as we'll by the New
York undertaken. The man said he
was so upset that he did not know
and appeared to be greatly pleased
when he obtained this information.
He then asked to use the telephone
and this privilege was granted. A
prominent New York undertaken was
called. Central, however, after few
minutes delay announced that the line
was busy. Mr.. Demaine in the mean
time suggested to the man that he
would call an undertaken whom he
knew and have him embalm the body
and arrange for its Immediate ship
ment to this city. In a few minutes
this was done. At' ~ ,
The stranger having completed his
arrangements thus far then explain
ed that he wanted certain minister
in the city to conduct the obsequies
and also made negotiations for lot
in a certain cemetery. He desired to
look at the lot before leaving. Mr..
Domaine, however, told him that he
would have ample time for this upon
his return. The man appeared to be
very eager to get to New York and
also explained that he would like to
have representatives from we'll
known fraternal order attend the fu-
neral, explaining that his father was
member in "good standing in this
lodge.
His next statement was that his
funds were temporarily tied up IN
Washington bank and he was eager to
get some ready cash in order not to
delay the trip. He suggested $50 and
Mr.. Demaine game the man the
money.
Two hours after the stranger left
the place Mr.. Demaine received Il
long distance call from the New York
undertaken to the effect that his men
had gone over to Flatbush in Brook
Ign and were unable to find any
PARTY dead at the address given and
they wanted to know what to do, it
being a long drive back to the place.
The orders of Mr.. .Demaine were to
return. In the meantime officers Of
the fraternal order the father was
supposed to be a member of were con-
suited and they stated that the roster
failed to show the name of the man
sunnosed to be dead on the list.
Then matters were reported to the
police and of this city and Washing
ton.