Evening star. [volume], January 01, 1906, Page 12, Image 12

About Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972

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YEAR'S EVENTS IN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
LEADING EVENTS.
Inauguration of President Roosevelt.
Completion of filtration plant.
Unusual number of cases of murder and suicide.
Proposed reorganization of public schools.
International railway congress.
Typhoid fever epidemic.
New V. M. C. A. building dedicated.
Death of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee.
Commissioner Henry L. West reappointed.
Fireboat for protection of river front.
DISTRICT IN CONGRESS
MANY MEASURES OF MINOR IM
PORTANCE ENACTED.
The year 1U0T> witnessed the closing of one
Congress and the beginning of a new one.
The last session of the Fifty-eighth Con
gress came to an end March 4 at noon. The
first session of the Fifty-ninth Congress be
gan December 4 at noon. Following the in
auguration of President Roosevelt, held
March 4 at the Capitol, amid Imposing cere
monies. I lie Senate was in session for a few
weeks to act upon tlie nominations of the
re-elected President and to consider tlio
Santo Domingo treaty.
There lias not been a gre:tt deal of Dis
trict legislation in Congress during the
year. The usual appropriation bill was
passed cutting down the District's allow
ance to tlAWKI less than the current ap
propriation. Tlii' limit of cost of th mu
nicipal building was Increased to TJ.iVm.ikju,
and the limit of cost of the Anacostla
bridge increased to 937-1.000. An right?
rcom school building was provided tor the
llflh division and a building for the thir
teenth division to cost $34,000.
A number of laws of minor importance
relating to District affulrs were enacted.
The first steps toward compulsory educa
tion were taken by the Senate, but not
pressed, because It was uncertain whether
the school facilities were adequate to pro
vide for compulsory attendance. They have
been found to be so. however, and the sanw
bill has been introduced In the new Con
gress. Agitation was also commenced of
the question of Increased pay for school
teachers. A struggle for right of way for
a cross-town street railway occupied the
attention of the two District committees
In the short session, but the bill was not
passed.
MUNICIPAL AFFAIRS
EVENTS OF THE YEAR IN DIS
TRICT GOVERNMENT.
In District afTalrs the notable events in
cluded: The decision of the President to
peimlt MaJ. John Piddle to serve as En
gineer Commissioner until the comple
tion of public improvements under his
charge: the renomlnation by the Presi
dent of Commissioner Henry I,. West to
serve u second term; the tiling of charges
against Mr. West by the former superin
tendent of street cleaning. Warner Stut
ler, and the final supplemental report of
the committee appointed in August 1003
to examine into the l.uslnes methods em
P in the District government. Of
publ c improvements probably the mo:>t
notable events were the completion of
the new filtration plant, the completion
of the last arch of the new Connecticut
avenue bridge and the practical comple
th0?" v?., ,ttie new highway bridge across
MHri rt to ?*Pl?ce the Old Long
ral*edVtnow 'been
ai. ed to the second-floor level. The work
ia>s and contractors were recentlv
thorlzed to go upon disputed land to con
l#e.Person?iel Of the District service
one of the most important changes was
lend, n?"."}? h?" f U,e ",fW of superin
by Hai -Isoi. leaning department
oy Jim . son Stidham. and ills subwiuent
esign;,,",n a few days ago. When he ?e
Sapternber ^ jT
pointed property clerk of*he ICrtc/To
succeed Maj. It D Simma. w'ho res gned
to become treasurer of the Cmit-ii'tv?.
arsvisr?
Du\all. iorporatlon counsel of the nif'
tz-zzssss
wnji.im J. It.(hards, assistant engineer
in charge of street extensions was -o'
{iarrrtm7! ?"'?'"'?h?we!iet hat'at tl%
Jrut ? m
fy^y\rtheYuthor,t',esd hee"
nn<! of the llq,u,r license var
cn Not em-ber 1 ?, spirited -KMitroversy .'?ver
n Lw>*rT!?r t<>ok P"**- a"<i for a time
sLdTw^M El " V"?n "'"1 k'ri
f~, ? *ru"lched. Another lmpor
?Vr>H p!,as* of tlve liquor <iu.-s
t?on was made by re*u'.?>n!s of S !v,-r St>r mr
and other adjoining Maryland suburb!
'?f1-1"' ,tle establishment of a saloon
HrtVh?"SJ^r S"a:1"n a; the District line on
Prig-h wood r.-ad In presenting a proposed
ho!-.day liquor bill at the !a?t s. sKJ<m or
ongress, Commissioner Macfarlan<l recom
mended an amendrm nt to provide for clos
ing the barrcom* in the District of <\>!?m
u.a on Christmas do> an<j (>n New Year
A proposition was made by the arsons
jnti r.-sted !:: the prohibition ..f the sale ,r
intoxicants in the national capital to .-stab
-l?h a s> stem here similar to the dKnen
aaries of South Carolina. p "
During the year much liad been said con
c rnlng waste of water in the District
7!,"'m" '*r"'ng n I^s'b'e water famine'
J",.."''."1-, ,her" was 'artiest ad
t<- n t tl ' " to diminish tile po'lll
' I of the upper waters of the Potomac
'VT this year a b|?
!" turnln< over Of control <.f the
w'r'h^V^ !o ''-"nnj'swioners
rv,sby or ti'','" K?K;r;;r c,;,spv
flltratlim plan,, worked in i7sutm?t
ju'eds. "lS "ar?ly the Dutric^s
The snow law and the anti-smoke Nw
were each the cause of much ?tv^.
T-i,?il.r'OU!' . " dur:"? t!>" twelve montha
Tht raow law was finally ?!*?olar?d lnval d
M^h M annd th''' "f Ap,"Bls
ai.ircn SI. and the Supreme Court sub
>-equ. nuy refus. ,1 to issue a writ of cer
tiorari for a review of the c ise rv.nL
quently the District begin the present^!
tor with no law under which the removal
of <n?w anU ice from the sidewals could
he Pt?mpelled. Replying to a letter fn,m
President Roosevelt, the Qimmi^^?
made a Ion* report on the vexed smoke law
question, and to etatemen-s made In 'his
report strenuous exception was taken by
the judge of the Police Court. The result
of the controversy, h-owever. was evidenced
In a substantial increase in the number of
prosecutions under the law.
By a decision of the Supreme Court gov
ernment buildings were declared to be
amenable to the smoke law.
Marked progress has been made on the
r.rw union station during the year. The
steel framework and some of the stone
work are taking form, and the grading for
great approach is nearing completion. The
Virginia avenue tunnel was completed and
opened, and all three bores of the tunnel
under Capitol Hill on the line of 1st street
have been pushed through. Many of the
streets which go under the viaduct have
been excavated to the new levels contem
plated in the plans.
According to the records of the health of
fice this has been a bad year both from the
typhoid fever and the smallpox stand
points. Of the latter disease there hive
been a total of eighty-two cases, or more
than in any one year during a decade.
More than 1.100 persons were involved In
the typhoid fever epidemic which raged
throughout July, August, September and
October.
The plan to bring all streets outside the
old city limits under the system of alpha
betically arranged names was completed
during the twelve months, with the excep
tion of that section beyond the Eastern
branch. Concerning the street car lines
there was the usual amount of discussion,
and several changes and important rulings
were made notably that which forbade the
carrying of more than forty passengers In
any one car across the Anacostia bridge.
Much impetus was gained by the move
ment to establish an auditorium in Wash
ington. for holding inaugural balls and
other large public gatherings, the work for
the year culminating in a public mass meet
ing in the Columbia Theater on December
2!>, when a resolution asking Congress to
pass an act incorporating the Auditorium
Association was adopted.
Radical changes in the building regula
tions were recommended by Engineer Com
missioner Biddle, and a new set of regula
tions were prepared and adopted by unani
mous action of the Board of Commission
ers. An announcement was made that all
wires in tiie District of Columbia will be
underground within five years.
COURTS AND TRIALS
IMPORTANT HAPPENINGS IN LO
CAL LEGAL CIRCLES.
Several changes of importance in the per
sonnel of the judges and other officers who
have headquarters at the city hall occurred
during the year just ended. Associate Jus
tice Seth Shepard of tne Court of Appeals
subscribed to the oath of office January
10 as chief justice of that tribunal, succeed
ing 'Chief Justice Richard H. Alvey, retired
The same day Charles H. Duel!." formerly
commissioner of patents, took the oath as
associate justice to fill the vacancy caused
by the promotion of Justice Shepard. As
sociate Justice Martin F. Morris retired
from the bench of the Court of Appeals the
end of June. He was succeeded by former
United States Senator Louis E. McOwnis
of Maryland. Justice Morris was presented
with a costly silver service by members of
the bar. Frederick C. Tyler resigned as
crier of the Court of Appeals. The vacancy
was filled by the appointment of Howard
C. Riley as crier.
l,he "^oe of the cIprk of the District
Supreme Court, Assistant Clerk Harvey
re,s,Kn''a/ s- McComas Hawken. su
perintendent of the file room, was promoted
Winfam I51""' Clerk> Harrj' IiinKll;u? and
H lam Lemon were appointed assistant
clerks and Miss Ellen Young, copvim, was
made superintendent of the file rooms
f,r P?*0?'>'n!ted States attorney
for the District of Columbia, tendered his
resignation June 20. to take effect August
Liter he was appointed by the Depart
tVon ?.?*m, Yh speclal attorney in connec
tion with the prosecution of cases growing
out ot the cotton leak investigation. The
announcement of the appointment of Daniel
W Baker to be fnited States attorney w..s
rh^lr fyh A entered upon the dis
charge of his duties the 1st of September.
Soon thereafter Assistant United States At
torney Ktlgwin resigned, Assistant United
States Attorney Mullowny was appointed
judge of the Police Court, and Chief Clerk
Bingham was appointed assistant clerk of
the District Supreme Court. Air. Baker filled
the three vacancies by appointing Stuart
McXamara. liarvey Given and Rudolph
leatman. 1
Aullck Palmer was appointed by the Pres
ident December 11, for his third term as
I nited States marshal for the District of
Lo.umbia.
During the year 11,850 marriage licenses
were issued as against in i'.HH On
the equity tide of the clerks' office 786
suits were tiled as against 70u the preced
ing year, and 81io proceedings at law were
Instituted as against l.olS during 1004
The petition of August W. Machen
George E. Lorenz, Diller It. Groff and Sam
i ,/V <JrofT f(,r "t certiorari was de
nied by the Supreme Court of the United
r.'u9' ,T,hls shattered the last hope
of the def. nriants in the first case tried !n
t.ie local courts that grew out of the Post
(ifnce I>epartment Irregularities. The de
fendants were removed to the West Vir
ginia penitentiary, at Moundsville to serve
the sentences that had been imposed by
Justice Prltehard in Criminal Court No 1
ihe post office case, in which Michen,
Loreni ana William G. Crawford were the
defendants, was called for t; lal in Mav
Machen unexpectedly entered a plea of
? .v>as sentenced to pay a fine of
, $10,000 and to serve two years in the peni
Fti Crawford was granted a separate
tilal. Ihe trial, which was in prog,ess sev
eral weeks resulted in a disagreement of
the jury. The second trial of Crawford oc
curred last month. He was convicted.
As a result of the investigation at the De
partment of Agriculture, relative to the =o
ealletl cotton report leak." several indict
ments were reported by the grand jury One
of tli.se was against Edwin S. Holmes, jr.
formerly assistant statistician of the de
partment. Frederick A Peck ham and Moses
Ha'?s. Holmes, who had been outside the
un.ctlictioii, appeared In court Auerust 4,S
and furnished ba'.l in tlie sum of $10,000.
?l.e trial of Jam s M. A. Watson, which
? >egnn ju?t b. fore t!:? Christmas holidays of
1.1.14, was concluded early in J.muarv Wat
son was convicted of the embezzlement of
a 1 '? rge sum of money while he was a clerk
a .he office of the auditor of the District
<?. ( olumbia. He was sentenced lo peniten
tiary imprisonment for ten years.
.,w- W- Kar, formerly disbursing clerk of
the Smithsonian Institution, pleaded guilty
to an indictment charging him with the
embezzlement of funds that were p'aced in
his hands as such clerk. He was sentenced
to the penitent! >:y for five years.
Thomas M. Fields, one of the receivers o'
j the defunct Washington Beneficial Endow
, ment Association, was tried and convicted
, of the embezzUinent of about *10,000 of the
fai.ds of the association that had been
pjaced In the hands of the receivers. An
appeai noted in his behalf is pending An
drew A. Lipscomb, the other receiver of the
association, who had been jointly Indicted
wltn F.elds, was tried later and acquitted.
O. G. Staples, T. L. Jeffords, John L. Fehr
and Elisha H. Fitch were Indicted July 6
for common law conspiracy to defraud
while making falsa representations con
cernlng the Interstate Live Stock Insur
ance Company.
The validity of the Spooner Panama cnnal
aet was upheld by a decision rendered by
Justice Stafford in a case in which tie
constitutionality of the act was attacked
by a citizen of one of the western states.
Justice Stafford, by a decision rendered In
the habeas corpus cases of John Conner
and Matthew J. Harry, apparently put a
stop to what threatened to be a wholesale
discharge of inmate? of the Government
Hospital for the Insane who had been trans
ferred to that institution from the National
Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers.
United States Attorney Baker, for the
government, filed a suit in which was pre
sented a claim of the United States to the
rare art collection of Mrs. Harriet Lane
Johnston.
The Court of Appeals, among other
things, decided that under the provisions
of the District c?de, no company can be in
corporated here to engage in or conduct
more than one specific business. The Dis
trict Commissioners' "snow regulation"
was held by the Court of Appeals, in a de
cision rendered March 22. to be lnvaiid.
The Court of Appeals in March upheld the
constitutionality of the union railroad sta
tion act.
The minority stockholders of the City and
Suburban railway of Washington petitioned
the court to appoint a co-receiver to rep
resent their interests. Soon, thereafter,
however, It was announced that the road
was on a paying basis and the receiver
ship, that had been in force for several
years, was terminated.
Concerning the bankruptcy case of
Thomas E. Waggaman, the right of the
Catholic UniveVsity of America to the
tracts of land known as Pretty Prospect
and Woodley, conveyed July 25. 1!M)4, by
Mr. Waggaman and John Ridout. as trus
tees, to secure the university in the sum
of $&76,168.l*6, was attacked. The suit was
filed by the Washington Loan and Trust
Company, as executor of Benjamin K.
Plain, deceased. The sale of the Wagga
man art collection was held by direction of
the court in New York city in January.
The Waggaman household effects were sold
hot* at auction June 7. Mr. Waggaman
was indicted August 22 for the alleged
embezzlement of $C.2f*> held by him for
the heirs of Adele B. French. The Catholic
University August 28 filed with Referee
Bradley, in the bankruptcy cause, proof of
Us claim to $S7<i.lt)S.i:?.
Prank D. James, who pleaded guilty to
a charge of the larceny of a large amount
of personal property from the residence
of Mr. S. H. Kauffmann, where lie was a
trusted employe, was sentenced to peniten
tiary imprisonment for three and one-half
years.
RECORD OF ACCIDENTS
UNLOOKED FOR CATASTROPHES
CAUSE DEATH AND DAMAGE.
aV; u White, white anrl
m oncUof^lU'ey- CO,OWd
the vear h? J"?St f'Xt',tin? accidents of
jear. which followed the breaking of
p ' m P'P0 in th? Powerhouse of the
Potomac Electric Power Company. A few
site oMhe n" aC.?ldenl occurred upon the
the new home of the National Me'
STSir?ti2za'Bftnk- "ne ma? >?sing
severe?' XLi m 8er,0U8|r "'Jured and
rain the previous
burned to death at a fire in ^
??} ^rd in Georgetown6 ?Fr S Wood a?d
D r'Prircert I8".0"' ^'''"am'Les^MrT"!"
\fm ^ John A. Bradshaw Robert T
blears. but their injuries did not pr^e
I?*' of1 Januarya"and
a'nffi 1 f ,Ja"te d'ed from shock during
twt ' ?ys lator- W illiam T Mat
thews, an aged man, died from the effects
l?m ?ne" ?ecelved.b>- run over by a
S'" char?? of William Minor. The
L 'f ^onerated by a coroner's Jtirv
J i during the month of January
Hflledrhe asphyxiation of George k
Harris, George Neville .?nd Vivian V-.mm
and the death of Venerando Pulizzi who
received a fatal injury by falling in a
police station. John C. Hutchinson was
drowned in the James Creek canal during
the early part of February, and a head n
collision on the Washington, Alexandria
the wm A-ornon electric 1 ne resulted In
iecM , , ?f ?ne,Ina"' F" Schneider. The
fhe rn^l ?^ur,re<? "^ar Spring Park, and
'"embers of tiie crew of one of the cars
wer- held for the accident. Following the
death of M H. Stafford, a barber? from an
o\ erdose of morphine, Capt. F. S Sowly a
veteran, was killed by his horse going over
$P??*V!,ka?at wh,,e on llls vv;(y home
\\illiam Clayburn. colored, was killed while
at work on the Connecticut avenue bridge
-V-! Van rr Vher llfe during a fire at
, . Strfet th<> L<r,th ?f May, and three
<la>s later two men were drowned In the
Eastern branch, one of them. F J Mas
slno, was a coal-passer on the Sylph and
the otlier, Wiiburn Enoch, belonged to
the hospital cori?s. Two children Lottie
Owen and Jet tie (.Harrington, were drowned
In a pond of water near North Capitol and
Detroit streets. Alphonso and Leroy Wil
liams, children, were burned to death. The
10th of June Bernard Penn, colored wis
drowned in the river, and three days' tater
the capsizing of a boat near the Lone
bridge resulted in the drowning of Alexan
der Chisholm. Dennis Bunch and Newton
Bunch. Others who were drowned during
the year were: John Otis, Robert Bruce
Cornelius Robinson, Paul Spangerburg"
William Burns, John Baker, Walter Preck
Michael Kelly, George Toy, Ix-wls York'
Theodore Peyton, Edward C. Darrell, John
J. Towle. Stephen Wallace and J. Archi
bald Williams. . Eugene Garges was
drowned at Gull lake, Michigan, and Free
man E. Pryor lost his life in a similar man
ner at Tribune lake, Ixjuislana. Henry
Altschu was drowned at St. Louis.
An explosion that caused the death of J.
J. Ball occurred in the garage of the United
States Express Company In Northeast
Washington the 20th of April. In addition
to killing Ball the building and engine were
wrecked. Later In tho year a disastrous
explosion occurred at the 'plant of the
Washington Gas Light Company in South
east Washington. Considerable damage was
caused to the property of the company but
no lives were lost. Charles A. Machan, col
ored. was asphyxiated by illuminating gas
the 17th of April, and William Mauck a
retired soldier, lost his life in a similar
manner the rame day. An Italian was
burned to death during a fire in the camp
in Garfield Park, having entered a burning
structure for the purpose of saving his ef
fects. Otis T. Bulard was knocked down
by a bicycle and killed, and several per
sons were killed by falling on the steps
at their homes or from the windows of
their houses. The death of Prof. William
Morris resulted from injuries received by
being knocked down by a wa^on at 11th
street and Pennsylvania avenue. Violet
Spnngmann, a child, was killed by being
struck by an automobile at 11th and G
streets southeast, and tho death of CItias
Denekas was hastened by an automobile
accident. One of tho sad accidents of the
year Involved the death of Vinson Walsh
S?n Mr- Tlw? F- Walsh. He was
killed in an automobile accident at Newport
and his foody was brought here for inter
ment. Miss Fannie A. Weeks, a school
teacher, was burned to death while touring
through -ielowstone Park. Mrs. M. Stack
t and A\ iliam McGIll were killed iby falling
? rom wagons. Samuel Harbinson was
electrocuted while working in Cleveland
lark, and Joseph Mangum was killed by a
..ve wire while working in one of the rall
way company's pits. John J. Barry, jr
was killed by a vehicle In the White Lot
| after he had witnessed some athletic con
tests there.
G- ?wlnSs. a painter, lost his life
by falling from a scaffold in the Wash
ington monument. Leslie C. Fuller of the
Department of Justice lost his life hv n
fall -while in Cleveland, Ohio Miss Mar
garet Mcllvane, a charwoman, was killed
In an elevator accld?nt In the Navy D?part
ment building, and George Frere lost his
life by falling- down the elevator shaft In
a building occupied by the seed division
of the Agricultural Department. Jennie
Brown, colored, five years old. was burned
to death and Roy Mahoney. also five 3*ears
old, lost his lWe by eating poisoned bread
that was intended for rats. Robert H
NefT of this city was kiied by a street car
In Alexandria, and Andrew Coyne, fifty
nine years old. died from the effects of a
fall. James N. Corron, an elderly man,
was burned to death at his home in rear
of 4,'i2 8 street northwest, the 23d of last
month. On Christmas day a colored man
named John Dent, who was employed as a
helper on a brewery motor wagon, fell from
ids vehicle and was run over and killed.
John F. McGinniss, driver of a team of
fire department horses, was mn over and
killed whl!e responding to an alarm of
lire about the middle of November. Mrs.
Mary T. Minor was killed near East Capi
tol and 1st streets by being knocked down
by a bicycle. The rider of the wheel, Lars
Eldsness, was exonerated by a jury. John
V. Hill, a brakeman on the Pennsylvania
railroad, jumiped from the top of a box car
to prevent being Injured and received In
juries to liis hip and leg. which proved
fatal.
CRIMES AND CRIMINALS
UNUSUAL NUMBER OF CASES OF
MURDER AND SUICIDE.
Severa" double tragedies occurred during
the ye?r, and the police work was made
easy by the suicide of those who had com
mitted murder or made such an effort.
After shooting his wife Washington J.
Qulggle. who was private secretary to
Thomas F. Walsh, ended his own life.
Mrs. Quiggle, who was seriously wounded,
is still in the hospital. Early in the year
William Burge, colored, shot and killed
his wife and then attempted to kill his
mother-in-law, Mrs. Jordan. Believing he
had murdered two members of the family,
he attempted to end his own life, but
failed. He has since been tried and con
demned to death. In Southeast Washing
ton, during the early part of February,
Mrs. Estella E*Yates shot and killed Theo
dore Fisher and then committed suicide.
Jealousy prompted the deed. Frank Jones,
a retired soldier, next figured In a tragedy
in which more than one crime was com
mitted. Jealous of Katie Norbeck, he shot
and killed her and attempted to take his
own life after having made an unsuccess
ful attempt to kill Rutledge Robinson. He
escaped the death penalty, but was given
a life sentence. A colored resident of
Georgetown named Pendleton Taylor
killed his wife and then, it was alleged,
attempted suicide. He set up a plea of ]
self-defense and escaped with a sentence
of five years in the penitentiary. Allen
Hayes, colored, was arrested in September
for" an alleged attempt to murder Ella
Hinton, also colored. He is alleged to have
also made an attempt to end ills own life,
but failed. Harry J. Everett, a carpenter,
shot and killed his wife at her home In
Georgetown, it was alleged, on account of
her having received attentions from a sol
dier at Fort Myer. He killed himself short
ly after shooting his wife, Charles Souder
attempted to kill his wife and did kill
George T. Morgan. Morgan was an Invalid,
and Sotider was jealous of him. William
Bottomley of Southeast Washington shot
and killed Mary F. Scheltlin and then com
mitted suicide. The double tragedy was
enacted In the home of the Scheitlin fam
ily the day the woman returned home.
Early In January Lawrence Peake was
stabbed and killed by Paul W. Roberts,
who was arrested for alleged manslaughter
They were on the best of terms, the wound
having been accidentally inflicted while
they were skylarking In a street car. Fred
erick Myers was shot by William H. Car
roll.
Gessler Rosseau was arrested In Philadel
phia for having made an attempt to blow
up the statue of Frederick the Great, and
was found to be of unsound mind when
brought back here tor trial. Joseph Burk
liard stabbed Frederick Goebel while in a
saloon on 7th street and was subsequently
arrested in Trenton, N. J. He was con
victed and given a light sentence. The
16th day of March Jeremiah Donovan, a
livery stable keeper, was arrested for hav
ing beaten his wife to death. His sanity
was questioned and he is still in jail await
ing trial. Joseph Leanto, an Italian, re
sisted arrest in Virginia and killed Deputy
Sheriff Malcolm. He was shot by a posse
of citizens and died at the Emergency
Hospital in this city. His victim died in
the same hospital.
Early in May arrests were made la th*
case of the men who opened a pool room
near Kenilworth. Md., just across the Dis
trict line. Local police were interested in
the affair as the patrons of the place were
chiefly residents of this city. A trial at Up
per Marlboro resulted in a verdict of ac
quittal. The police were called upon about
the jn Id die of May to investigate a report
of a robbery having been committed in the
office of Attorney L. C. Williamson, near
police headquarters. Jewelry valued at
more than $1 ,r?<?0 was taken from a safe in
his office.
Edward Ferguson, colored, shot and fa
tally wounded Bettie Wood, also colored,
on the Hamilton road. Killey B. Holmes,
a eolored soldier, .wno came here from a
military reservation in the west with two
insane prisoners, shot and fa.tally wounded
George Bell. It was claimed that the shoot
ing was done in self-defense. On Sunday,
the 11th of June, William Steele, who oc
cupied the Naylor mansion near Anacostla,
was shot and killed by William Pruitt.
Steele had Invited friends to his house to
drink beer, and during a row that occurred
he was shot and killed. Self-defense was
the plea In the case. James Jordan was
arrested for alleged responsibility for the
death of Edward L?. Jacobs. John Jarboe
wis killed by falling from a window at his
home on Missouri avenue and his wife was
arrested on suspicion of having pushed him
from the window, but was exonerated.
Early in August Thomas Whitney, eolored,
was arrested and charged with having
caused the death of Harry Everly in a sa
loon. I^ater in the month Edward Lacy
shot and fatally wounded Frank Merrill.
The latter had followed him from a coun
try dance and attempted to asault Lacy
several times before the latter shot him.
Lacy was held responsible for Merrill's
death and is awaiting trial. Henry Chase,
colored, killed his brother with a hammer
and was sent to Moundsville to serve twelve
years. During the latter part of Septem
ber Mrs. Jenule L. May. a resident of
Southeast Washington, shot and dangerous
ly wounded Lucien Oonen, a member of the
United States Marine Band, because, it was
alleged, he had maligned her. He Is still
under treatment ajul she is under bond for
her appearance In court.
Emma Smallwood. who was employed as
a domestic in the summer home of Col.
John Hancock, near Hyattsville, died from
the result of an alleged criminal opera
tion. A son and daughter of Col. Hancock
were subsequently accused of having knowl
edge of the woman's death. The case is
to be investigated by the grand Jury at the
April term of the court at Upper Marl
boro. Deputy Sheriff Embrey of Mont
gomery county, Md.. shot and fatally
wounded James F. Whalen, his prospective
son-in-law, at Cabin John Bridge. Embre>
was subsequently arrested, tried and oftCn
erated. Frank DeLane, a resident o^ Del
Hav Va., was assaulted and killed near
Brick Haven, Va., in the latter part of
November. It is charged that the crime
was committed by a colored man who ac
companied him from this city. Robberj
was the motive. Whitney J. Hall, a young |
married man w.ho was employed as a mes
senger in the De-partment of Justice, forged
the name of a resident of Alexandria to a
check for ?.000 and had the paper cashed
at the Commercial National Bank. He was
arrested and is in Jail awaiting trial.
SUICIDES REPORTED
Coroner Nevitt was called upon during
the year to Investigate something like 1,200
cases of various kinds. Including about
fifty cases In which the victims had taken
their own lives. The use of the revolver
was the most popular means of committing
rulclde, thirteen of the victims having
taken their lives by using such weapons.
Ten of them used carbolic acid, five used
rope, four turned on the gas, two jumped
overboard, four cut their throats, one used
cocaine and others found other effective
methods.
The first mail to end his life last year was
Dr. A. C. Adam*, who used a revolver
as the instrument to accomplish his death.
Clark J. Carson followed hJs example
shortly afterward, and the third person to
end Ms life last year was A. O. Powers,
nu Inmate of the Insane asylum. He was
unable to get a weapon and he Hanged
lilmseJf. Others who followed included
Andrew Davidson. Thomas J. Thompson,
George Curry, William J. Bolway. William
K. Gales, Nellie McCauley, William De
Vantler. Catherine E. Duffy, Mary A.
Brown. George Kaener, Edmund P. Cap
ron. Annie Baker, Francis M. Everett,
Mike Haead. Mary Rellly. John C. Peyton,
L. N. Haseleff, Robert D. Graham, Edward
Greene. Philip Holstein. Emanuel Boone,
Catal Tatora, Km ma Hodges, Henry Wells,
Charles A. Johnson, Briscoe I^ewls, Martha
Rodgers, Guy Earle Howett. William Zim
merman, John W. Hall, John W. Brooke.
Armstead N. Harrell, John L. Gray, Chas.
E. Downs, Joseph 8. Sharp, Mrs. Du Bois.
George T. C. McCauley, Henry 8. Everett,
William A. Bottomley, Washington J.
Qulggle, Mlcliael P. McDonnell, Marlon J.
Ozmond. Joseph Roundtree, Moy Sam. Her
bert Caddick and Mary Mason. The largest
number of suicides during any month was
In October, when seven persons took their
lives. It is throught that not more than
ten of the victims wrote letters explain
ing why they were tired of life.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
CHANGES IN ORGANIZATION AND
PERSONNEL OF FORCE.
Several changes of Importance have taken
place In the police department since the
first of last year. Probably the most im
portant one Involved the promotion ol
Lieut. Amiss, who had been a lieutenant
on the force for many years and had com
manded the most Important precinct. He
was made captain and given the important
position of superintending the detective
corps at night. Capt. Isaac Pearson, who
had been night inspector for many years,
was retired and waB succeeded by Capt.
Cross. Sergts. Sullivan and Schneider were
promoted and placed in charge of precincts.
A harbor precinct was formed and Harbor
master Sutton was made a member of the
police force and placed in charge of the
new division with the rank of lieutenant.
Maj. Sylvester took an active Interest In the
matter of suppressing gambling, both In and
out of the District. Members of the force
were detailed to assist in breaking up the
pool rooms In Maryland and Virginia, a
number of so-called handbook men were
arrested and a number of gambling raids
made. The police work during the cere
monies attending the Inauguration of Presi
dent Roosevelt proved a success in every
particular, and Maj. Sylvester received a
number of commendatory letters. Similar
letters were also received in about forty
cases In which members of the force per
formed meritorious service.
The annual meeting of the International
Association of Chiefs of Police was held In
this city and its members were entertained
by the Business Men's Association and
others. At the suggestion of the superin
tendent of police a substation is to be pro
vided in the union station. Cases in wh'ch
policemen appealed to the courts, after
they had been tried and recommended for
punishment, were decided against the au
thorities and caused a change in the nut
ter of offenses for which policemen are
amenable to the department. The age
limit of applicants for positions on the
force was changed to thirty-seven years.
Maj. Sylvester detailed bicycle policemen
to enforce the speed limit law. and miny
drivers and chauffeurs were arrested. The
seventh police precinct was reorganized
after an allegation was made that crap
playing had been indulged In and a robbery
committed in the station house. Changes
were recommended In the concealed weapons
law, and a change was also made In the
matter of hearing charges against members
of the police force. A. R. Lamb, who was
hack inspector, resigned to accept the posi
tion of chief of police of Guatemala City.
He was succeeded by Policeman G. S.
Catts. Policeman English was detailed as
officer for the board of children's guar?
dlans, to succeed the late G. S. McGlue.
Maj. Sylvester recommended that magis
trates be empowered to issue warrants;
recommended a fugitive law, and also rec
ommended a law to punish persons found
with burglar tools in their possession. The
detail of policemcn at the workhouse was
Increased because of the number of prison
ers that had escaped. Members of the
police department were pleased at the de
cision of tlie Commissioners that parades
of the police and fire departments should
occur only once In four years instead of
annually. Xo. 10 precinct was awarded the
trophy at the annual inspection. Major
Sylvester received diplomas from the St.
Louis exposition officials for police dis
plays.
THE MORTUARY LIST
THOSE WHO DIED DURING PAST
TWELVE MONTHS.
Death, the grim reaper, claimed a great
many prominent citizens during tlie past
twelve months, and while all of them were
not permanent residents of the national
capital, time and association liad wrought
so ably that they were in spirit, if not in
fact, regarded as Washingtonlans. The fa
talities following exposure during the In
auguration ceremonies attracted more than
the usual attention. Among those whose
deaths were recorded were: Eugene L.
Vialland. Capt. Clark Stanton, Gen. John
F. Meachem, Gen. Herman Haupt, John
G. Barthel, Samuel M. Yeatman, Rev. J. R.
Wright, Engineer-in-'Chief William II.
Shock, U. S. N.; Dr. Charles W. Keyes, Dr.
W. E. Parson. John Leetch, William P.
Allen, Elphonso Youngs. William Chanlee,
Lewis, Dr. James Lams, Gen. Lawrence
Pike Graham, I". S. 'A.; Andreas Loeffier,
Maj. Robert H. Montgomery, U. S. A.;
William A. Meloy, Dr. Alonzo M. Buck,
Gen. William Sinclair, U. S. A.; Gen. Wil
liam T. Clark, John C. Poor. George H.
Plant, Rufus B. Merchant, Alex C. Bot
kins. J. Vance I^ewis, Frank H. Loving.
Dr. William C. Tliden, Alexander Melville
Bell, William Ryland Woodward, Rear Ad
miral Andrew E. Benha.ni, Thomas Langley,
Prof. Morris, Miss Julia R. Balch, Mrs.
Mary Emily Tonelson Wilcox, Mrs. E. M.
Botsford, Gen. Thomas T. Crittenden,
George D. Scott, Andrew B. Duvall, Judge
C. F. Scott, Brig. Gen. George H. Weeks,
U. S. A.; Col. Arthur L. Wagner. U. S. A.;
Joseph Shilllngton, Arthur W. Edson, Sec
retary of State John Hay, George H. El
drldge, Mrs. Hallet Kilbourn, Frank Han
vey, Joseph T. Bender, Adolph tluss, Daniel
S. Lamont, Jame? W. Orme, William L.
Elteri-eh, Justice Andrew Wylle, Timothy
W. Murphy, Caleb C. Willard. Dr. C. H.
A. Klelnschmldt, Col. Israel Kirk, LeD. L.
Barber, Harry L. Davison, Herman Baum
garten. Gen. Harry V. Boynton, Represent
ative Benjamin F. Marsh c?f Illinois, Beriah
Wilklns. Gen. A. Baird, Dr. George Phil
lips Fenwick, Alfred P. Martin, Theophilus
Bray. Daniel Sayers Christy, Henry Klinge,
George W. Allen, Sena-tor O. H. Piatt of
Connecticut, Brig. Gen. Charles Smart,
Gen. FItzhiigh Lee, Commodore Somer
ville Nicholson, Ebenezer W. Patton, H. H.
Brogden, Wallace H. Hills. Gen. J. Hale
Sypher. Maj. Horace L. Piper, Walter C.
Johnson, Ivorin M. Saunders. Rudolph Blei
fus, Dr. John W. Bayne, William J. Mil
ler, Rev. James Gibson Johnson, Senor Az
plroz, William Henry Hilliard, Rev. Dr.
George V, Leach, Charles G. Thorn, Nlch
olay Jensen, Capt. H. J. Playter, Maj.
Henry L. Biscoe, George W. Goodall, Wal
ter F. Roderick, Judge LawTence Weldon,
John W. Van Hook, Dr. J. Lee Adams,
Gen. H. E. Paine, John Marbury, Thomas
Atkinson, Gen. Lewellyn G. Estes, Mrs.
Mary E. French, John J. Halstead, Maj.
Gen. Robert Clark, James Crew Wilkins.
Nathan Burnham, Jacques Jouvenal, Sena
tor William B. Bate, John A. Clark. Rear
Admiral George A. Bright, Mrs. Silas Mei
rtiant. Judge C. C. Cole, Brig. Gen. Joseph
R. Hawley, ex-senator from Connecticut;
Capt. Woolman Gibson, Samuel Noone Pen
nybaker, Benjamin Pierce, John F. Gibson.
Dr B. F. Corby, William H. Veerhof, H.
G. Forsberg, Maj. Alex H. S. Davis, Charles
M. Oliver, E. G. Dunnell, Dr. James A.
Freer. Ix>uh? I). Wine. Dr. Thomas H. Sher
wood, Hear Admiral Frank C. One by. lT.
8. N.; Addison Butler Atkins, Mrs. Elisa
beth West, Sanders Walker Johnston, MaJ.
Henry R. looker, Mrs. Mary A. Thaw.
Thomas Nelson Conrad. John F. Coyle, Bet
tlna Qlrard, ex-G?vernor U Ijowndes of
Maryland. William Matthews, Edward O.
N.-es. Dr. Henry C. Woodbury. Zacharla
Tobriner, Rev. Edward J. Roche. Oeorge
A. Harvey, Gen. Allen Tate.
IN LABOR CIRCLES
MANY DISTURBANCES AMONG
LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS.
During the past year labor has had many
momentous problems brought before its
representatives for derision in matters af
fecting its stability as a power. In Jan
uary the labor leaders of the city assem
bled In Costello Hall and active prepara
tions were made for the establishment in
this city of a temple for the eons of la
bor. At the time It was supposed that be
fore a very long time had elapsed the la
boring men of this city would have a tem
ple that was suitable to the capital city
of the nation. It was suggested that the
sito of she Hebrew Temple 011 8th street
between H and I streets or in that vicin
ity would be a good place for the location
of the building. The committee appointed
for the arrangements for the erection of
the temple was as follows; Milford Spohn,
chairman; J. M. Heisley, R. G. M. Ror:?.
Edward Nothnage, Thomas Reardon. Frank
Raun, Charles Grady. C. W. Winslow, A.
Brlttain, C. A. Prau, H. Breeman and I.
Stein.
In March the bricklayers of the city
reached an agreement on the wage scale.
This was due to the fact that euch side
Bhowed a disposition to do the right tiling
In April the Supreme Court, of the United
States declared In an opinion rendered on
the 18th that the ten-hour labor law as in
force in the state of New York was not
constitutional, which was a great victory
for the hosts of' labor. The local horse
shoers walked out in May. but they finally
returned to their positions after confer
ences with the employers. June saw the
end of the paper hangers' and painters'
strike. This was of three months' dura
tion and the main cause was the 'Jact that
the Painters' Union, which is affiliated In
the national organization with the journey
men paper hangers, called out all of the
painters who were working upon any build
ings where a non-union paper hanger was
employed. The members of the local unions
of both organizations were finally induced
to take up their work where left oft. In the
latter part of August the painters at the
navy yard went out on a strike, which
was speedily settled. Preparations for a
fight to secure an eight-hour day were be
gun by the printers, and they received the
first part of the month of December a
notice announcing adherence to the open
shop principle posted In the offices of many
local employing printers. On December
27 an extract from the report of the eight
hour committee of the International Typo
graphical Union was published, together
with a statement from members of the
Typothetae, the organization of employ
ers. The struggle between the factions
will begin January 4.
YEAR OF CONVENTIONS
IMPORTANT NATIONAL AND IN
TERNATIONAL GATHERINGS.
Washington Is rapidly becoming the con
vention city of the United States and
within its portals each year thousands of
bodies, great and small, hold meetings,
bringing together business and scientific
men of note frorn all sections of this
country as well as abroad. Some of the
notable gatherings held during 1905 were
the American Forest Congress, January 2;
the second annual conference of engineers
on Irrigation, one of the largest feats
of engineering Uncle Sam has taken up for
many year? past, which was held January 5;
the American Institute of Architects, on Jan
uary C>; the National Board of Trade Janu
ary 17; the American Association of Masters
and Pilots of Steam Vessels, January 27;
the National Republican Editorial Associa
tion. the annual Mothers' Congress, the
fifth triennial of the National Council of
Women, the Daughters of the American
Revolution, the American Society of Su
perintendents of Training Schools for
Nurses, May 1; the National Society of
Spanish War Nurses.
Or.e convention of more than passing
note was the American railway congress,
which remained a week, and in connection
with which was an exhibition of railway
appliances of every description. The ses
sions of tills body commenced May 5.
On May 8 was held the National Associa
tion for the Prevention and Study of Con
sumption, and was followed by the con
vention of third and fourth class post
masters May 25. The Southern Industrial
Parliament was held May 2$; the n ne
teenth annual meeting of the Maryland
Division Sons of Veterans. June 2>?; the
national convention of elocutionists, Jure
the International Alliance of the Amalga
mated Sheet Metal Workers. The American
Society of Florists held a convention Au
gust 15. which included an elaborate dis
play of flowers, and th? National Council
United American Mechanics and National
Association of Master Bikers mo* Sep
tember 12. followed by the Assoc at ion of
Cemetery Superintendents September 1!>.
The Supremo Order Knights of Pythias
met September 20.
The annual convention of the American
Bankers' Association began October !?. The
delegates were lavishly entertained by I he
local business men and delegates.
A fraternal convention of great interest
was the meeting of the High Tent of
North America, Independent Order of
Rt-chabites. The annual meeting of the Pro
vincial Gmnd Chapter of the Royal Order
of S'.-otland and the Supreme biennial ses
sion of the A. A. S. R. occurred October
10. lfi and 17. The boaj-d of bishops of
the M. E. Ohuroh met October 25; the
National Hardware Association a;id the
American Hardware Manufacturers' Asso
ciation met November 8, and the Associa
tion of Presidents of American Unlversl- ]
ties met November 13. November 8 there
was also a meeting of the National Child
l.aiior Committee. The annual meeting of
the American Warehousemen's Association
was held December 6, 7 and 8 and the Navy
League Association, both met on Decem
ber 13.
SCHOOLS AND COLLEGES!
CHANGES IN THE LOCAL EDUCA
TIONAL INSTITUTIONS. i
The past year opened in educitional mat
ters with a bill forwarded to Congress for
compulsory education January 5. The Pub
lic Education Association presented a pe
tition to the Senate during the following
week Indorsing the bill. February 20 the
House committee reported favorably on the
bill, but the desired legislation was not ef
fected. The Senate committee began to
consider the matter again December 1), anil
those Interested In the bill are sanguine or
its passage. In the administration of the
local public school affairs the year has
been critical. A petition of teachers for
more pay was presented to the Senate
January 9, and throughout the year sta
tistics have been published showing the In
adequacy of salaries In Washington, and
the contrast of local school conditions with
those of other cities. A movement was
started early In February by various reli
gious bodies to secure greater moral train
ing In the schools. At an Interdenomina
tional conference religious training for the
schools was approved, but the school board
stood firmly on the ground that moral in
struction In the local schools is adequate.
A series of investigations has had a dis
turbing influence upon the high schools.
When Company F of the Eastern High
School won the annual competitive drill
Muy 22. the celebrations at the nchool were
market! by disorders, which resulted In an
agitation of thu whole high school corps.
In July President Roosevelt took n hand in
the alleged intention of the school board to
transfer Mr. Emory Wilson from the Cen
tral to the Eastern High School, in order
to place Mr. M. F. Swartz^l at the Cen
tral. The school board promptly decided to
retain Mr. Bwartzell at the Eistern. The
East Washington Cit'zens' Association,
however, early in August requested Mr.
Swartsell's retirement. After the delay or
the summer vacation an Inquiry Into East
ern conditions was made by the board, nntl
In spite of the petitions of various citizens'
associations, the Business Men's Associa
tion and the testimony of Capitol HI 1 citi
zens before the committee <>f investigation
the principal was retained at the Eastern.
With the opening of the schools Septem
ber 19 many transfers were made fri?m the
Hill school to other Institutions. Not less
lengthy and fervid was the Inquiry Into the
affairs of the M Street High School, which
resulted In the retention of Mrs Anna J.
Cooper -is principal of that school In the
face of the charge of the use of so-called
"sympall.e;lc method's" Tr.iui o. i-urred
between Central and Tech over space with
opening of the school year, Tech Anally
retaining one room In the Central building.
Further trouble early In December devel
oped at Tech between the faculty advisers
and the principal about military matter?,
the conciuslon of which has not been
reached. With the opening of CongiefS
legislation for the reorganization of the
present system was among the first meas
ures Introduced. Representatives Foster of
Vermont and Gouldtn of New York intro
duced bills for the entire change of the
present system, while Mr. Babcock Intro
duced in the House a bill presented by Sen
ator Gallinger In the Senate for bettor pay
of teachers from the standpoint of the
board of education. Senator Cullom pre
sented reorganization bills In the Senate
which are considered the most generous as
to salaries and the most drastic as- to meas
ures of reorganization
The Evening Star's offer of groups of
statuary for school rooms attracted the at
tention of every pupil and teacher from the.
middle of October to Christmas day. The
greatest enthusiam was evoked by the offer
and the strongest competition resulted
among the school buildings. Fifteen col
lections were offered and Christmas day
the successful schools were announced, the
Business High School, the Wallach and the
Smallwood being the first In their classes.
The month of December was practically
given up to prei>arations and exercises for
the centennial celebration of the local pub
lic schools. The 'founding of the system
In ISOS under Thomas Jefferson a.s presi
dent of the school board was commemo
rated by a reception at the White House
by President Roosevelt to school officials,"
formal addresses at the First Congrega
tional Church, December IS, and exhibit* at
the Business High School. M Street High,
McKlnley and Armstrong Manual Training.
During the year many changes have oc
curred in educational conditions other than
those of the public schools. George Wash
ington University whs dedicate 1 February
15 and its first annual convocation was held
a week later. Trinity College carried on
extensive building Improvements and the
corner stone of the I.ane-Johnstone Memo
rial Choir School was laid In June. Rev.
Jerome Dougherty resigned the presidency
of Georgetown I'niverslty in August and
Rev. Father Buel was appointed. The
Seminary of Our Lady Immaculate was
dedicated In September.
At Howard Unive-s.ty considerable fric
tion against President Gordon took the
form of an open revolt, which, after much
Inquiry and discussion, resulted in the
resignation of the president in December,
to take effect at the close of the fiscal year.
The latest event In th ? educational wor.d
was the recording of a deed of incorpora
tion for St. John's University by a body of
Episcopal clergymen. Affiliated with sehool
work, the Public "Library has begun the
Issue of a monthly bulletin for teachers,
and the charities of the city In the public
playgrounds movement have made use of
school grounds, greatly adding to the ef
fectiveness of the system.
Among the losses of the year the con
stant departure of men teacher* and tie
death of Gen. H. V. Boynton are most felt
In the school system.
LOCAL FINANCES.
The progress of the financial Institutions
and the increase In their resources and In
their business has perhaps been more
marked then any other year for a long
period. Only one addition has been made
to the number of national banks, but the
capital of some has been enlarged and the
process of doinsr the same thing in the cas^>
of other institutions has been started. The
new bank added to the list is that of the
National t'ity, which took posession of the
building which it purchased from the Amor
can Security and Trust Company, 1405 G
street. The latter company moved into th^
new building which has just been finished
at the northwest corner of 15th street and
Pennsylvania avenue. The Increase in the
capital stock of the Central Bank from
&5.K).000 to jant.OUO was effected during the
year, and at ieast three others are in vari
ous stages of the same process.
Two new savings banks have been orgtui
ized, the Kast Washington and the 14th
and U Streets. The former has begun busi
ness and the latter Is awaiting the com
pletion of its new building.
The flome Savings erected buildings and
started branches in the southwest and
northeast sections of the city, and the
capital of the Peoples' of the Union and of
the Merchants and Mechanics' h.is been in
creased. There was some talk of starting
another trust company, but the plans liavo
r.ot as yet been fully matured.
REAL ESTATE MARKET
The past twelve months have been pros
perous ones In the real estate business.
The market has been remarkably good.
A larger amount of money was spent in
building tiien ever before in the history
of the city. The demand for houses to rent
and for apartments was exceptionally good.
A notable feature was tlie continued mar
ket for houses, and the number of home
owners received many additions. The ex
pansion of the city has gone stead'ly on
in all directions, and there is every evidence
of the constant growth of the population.
The demand for property is a'so one of
the marked features of the market, and
the favorable rates for money on real es
tate indicates that realty here is looked
upon by financiers as a desirable medium
for loans. The conditions In all phases are
so favorable that predictions are null i
with confidence that the coming season will
be a good one and that business will be
brisk and the progress of the city in build
ing and in population and in improvements
of various kinds wMl, during the coming
months, be in much the same proportion its
has been the case during the period Just
closed.
FIRES AND FIREMEN
LOSSES DURING TEE YEAR WEES
HEAVY.
The members of the fire department
proved their usefulness on many o-; asioni
during the year 1905. The record of tl.e
year shows several heavy losses, one cas
ualty In a fire. December proved to be the
month of heavy losses. On the early morn
ing of December 1st over LW boys sleeping
in the main building of the Boys' Reform
School on the Bladensburg road were
aroused from their s.eep and forced to flee
from the building, which was on fire, 'l'iie
property damage amounted to about $100,
000. There was no loss of life and the
school has not been crippled to any serious
extent. The fire was discovered in the ,
commission house dlstilct along Louisiana
avenue between 9th and 10th streets north
west. The fire engines fought the flamea
for twelve hours, and the damage was esti
mated to be $60,000. A stubborn blase in
th* store of the Tuelg fa no Company at