Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-03-19


was / 200 men. This brilliant and unprece-
denied achievement has. with the excep-
tion Of the meager and modest official
report made by the hero of the occasion
remained uuheralded, owing possibly to the
fact that the country was at that time
struggling in the throes OF the great civil war
Such success against overpewerinr odds de.
serves high place on the pages devoted to our
naval successes. The executive officer of the
Wyoming at that time was Lieut. Commanding
Geo. White Young, the only son of the late
Commodore John ). Young, whose loss Of both
legs by the recon- OF gun on board the ill
fated Hornet of the harbor Of Matan-
zas in May, 1929, is so graphically de-
scribed in the journal Of Judge Drake.
My correspondent says no drawer Off
Ger ever trod the deck of a mau-of-war He
was. he says, worthy son OF a noble sire. NV
correspondent who signs himself "Au Almost
Eyewitness" says: This action, recurring 40
much nerve, skill and courage was not rash
or unwIsely considered move on the part of the
brave commander. He was well aware of the
dangers Of the channel and also of the skill of
| the Japanese as gunners, also that they were
well up in the tactics Of modern warfare
Through instructions from both Dutch and
French. and that they were eager and ant
scholars). He knew the odds were fearfuIiv
against him. but with a clear head and good
knowledge Of the depth Of the water Che was
aground once during the action and wonder
| ful reliance on Providence. his own skill and
!
mand, he resolved to do his duty unflinchingIy
or die in the attempt To show his thorough re-
| aiization of the immense danger he was about to
| run, and the knowledge he had of certain an
initiation through torture and other barbaric
methods which awaited him and his brave men
| in the event of failure. he gave clear and con-
| else orders to have all in readiness to blow up
| the ship and all on board rather than fall into
| the hands Of the enemy. With these fearful
| odds against Inn and taking his position on the
| BRIDGE Whpre he sto0d Ill, c~t
| he took the chances and won the battle" NV
| correspondent says: This authentic material
| furnished to the columns of The STAR will
| greatly crafty the few survivors of that MEM
| McDougal."
1 saw in The STAR, think, few days ago
that the old ship Constitntion-"Old Iron
| sldes'-was at the Portsmouth navy yard and
there was some talk Of reftting this relic Of the
long past and sending her. after her long and
obscure rest to the Columbian exposition.
THE OLD WASHINGTON THEArER.
Talking with an old Washingtonian whose
theatrical experience began in 1885, when he
saw ''The Hunchback' with Charles Mason and
Mrs Chapman as the Sir Thomas Clifford and
Julia at the old Washington Theater. he asked
| II remembered the series of portraits which
graced the panels of the boxes balcony when
tine theater was refitted for the last time in
1878 by Alexander Mckenzie, who married in
the Jefferson family. i do remember them
very well. they were painted by sam Charles
whose talent as miniature painter ION ivory)
led some OF our citizens, Gen. Van Ness among
others, to send Mr.. Charles to Europe to study
Soon after his return he painted in oil these
portraits. some from life. Booth. Forest. old
MIR. Jefferson, Mr.. Warren, then the only
IaIstqt; Mrs. Chapman and think Mrs. Duff.
Mrs Drake and others. Like nv friend
wonder what became Of them. Sam Charles
succeeded the Joseph Woods. father and son.
| whose portraits were life itself. l remember a
theatrical portrait painted by Mr. Charles of
jim Willis, a famed comedian, in NepDerkin
In the 'Sprigs of Laurel, which hung in the
saloon OF the National Theater and was burned
In the hre OF 1915. The old American Theater
was sold in 1889 and purchased by Col.
Chas. Lee Jones and then was fitted up for a
bali room. and there the Inauguration ball of
| Gen. HARRISON was given in 1884, and after
ward the Washington Assemblies we're given
| there. Those portraits were of such value thew
would hardly be destroyed. Can any old in
habitants give information about them! They
| would be invaluable now. not only as works of
art, but as actual portraits,
THE LATE WIN. W. sEAToN.
obtained from the Smithsonian Institution
sketch of the late VIM. W. Seaton. prepared at
the time of his death by the late Prof. Henry
and in recognition of his faithful and gratuitous
discharge for many years OF one of its most i'm
portant and responsible executive Offices The
pamphlet was published in 1867. at the time of
| his death, and recalls many Of the charactoris-
| tics Of that distinguished man. The notice speaks
OF MIR. Seaton's efforts and influence in obtain
Ing from Congress the organization of that
great institution. The funds bequeathed for
that purpose by James Smithson had been
loaned with other moneys by the government
| to the state of Arkansas, and it had remained
| Tor eight years diverted from the object con-
! templated by the donor. Through the influ-
| ence of Mr. Seaton then mayor OF Washington.
the good faith Of the country was re-
deemed by an unconditional assumption
OF the debt incurred by the improper dis.
position Of the fund, which was then
declared to be permanent deposit in the
| treasury Of the United States. and interest was
allowed upon the money from the time of its
receipt in this country. The institution was
then organized and Mr.. Seaton was elected
| treasurer and one of the building committee.
Who can forget Mr.. Seaton as host?
| In the gatherings about his generous board
mingled the cordial welcome and that air of
an older and better school which constantly
distinguished him. the kindly and reassuring
attention unafectedly bestowed the least
distinguished guest.the colioquial charm which
| extended the fame of his hospitality far be-
| yond the sphere of its exercise. . An
| utter absence of self assertion or dogmatism
he exceied by delicate tact in shielding others
| from the wound which thoughtless or unkind
word might infict, and the drawing forth
| to the best advantage the talents and attain
| ments OF each OF his guests A distinguished
foreigner visiting this country while Gen Cass
was Secretary OF State. WIS asked by the Sec
| rotary II he had seen Seaton. He said he had,
and Gel,. Cass said: Then you have seen the
best We have to show you" In all the twenty
seven years Of daily and hourly intercourse
with Mr.. Seaton never heard an unkind word
come from his lips.
The brief account of Mr. Seatou's life closes
| by quoting the following passage from a dis
| course delivered on the occasion of his death:
''One Of the finest intellects of this country,
and of the most devout, almost austere evan
gelical faith. has repeatedly said, that of all
the men he had ever known Mr.. Seaton was
/ nearest perfection, and most ready to enter
Gods presence. JOHN L. CoYLE.
| Knew What He Really Needed.
/ From the Chicago Tribune.
| He stopped wel-dressed man who had evil