Alexandria Gazette

ATTEMPTED ROBBERY.—An attempt was made last night to rob the office of the American Coal Company, at the foot of Oronoco street. About 11 o'clock a man dressed like a sailor approached Mr. Geo. Boyer, the watchman there, and engaged him in conversation, representing that he was the steward of a vessel lying in the stream and was waiting for a shipmate, who was going off to the vessel with him. In a few moments Mr. Boyer made his rounds, and on returning saw a man on the bridge connecting the offices of Capt. Booth and Mr. Parrott, and the man who had previously spoken to him was sitting on the steps leading to the latter office. Upon Mr. Boyer's approach they ran off. He immediately gave information to the police, who proceeded to trace the robbers. An examination of the premises showed that Captain Booth's office had been opened with a false key, and an attempt made to open Mr. Parrott's office, which failed on account of there being a bolt inside. Nothing had been taken from Capt. Booth's office. The police captured a man named Frank McDonald, who was committed to the station house; they also tracked a man answering the description of the other party to Four Mile Run, where he had taken the first train this morning to Washington. McDonald was examined by the Mayor this morning, and discharged for want of sufficient evidence to hold him.