The herald., 1898-04-20
SONS OF REVOLUTION
BATTLES OF LEXINGTON AND
CONCORD CELEBRATED
The Rapid Growth of the Society and
Preservation Of Valuable Relics
of the Revolutionary War

The California Society Of Sons of the
Revolution commemorated the battle OF
Lexington last evening by patriotic songs
and addresses in the society hall, No ALI
Henne block The warlike condition of af-
fairs in the country called out large at
tendance and the utmost enthusiasm was
manifested over the fact that the govern
ment has at last taken the position tow
ards Spain that appeals to every true
American.
Outside the membership of the society
it is not generally known how steadily
our California Sons of the Revolution have
grown in numbers and influence. Their
hall in the Henne block is a very spacious
room which is filled with books, pictures
and mementoes of the war Of the revolu-
ton, some of which are extremely rare.
In some respects the library of about five
hundred volumes is unique, as it contains
many works relating to the revolution,
which cannot be duplicated upon the
coast. 1t embraces all of the published Of
fetal records of the thirteen original states,
and many documents issued by the general
government. The society is upon the lists
| of donees of the state and war depart
ments at Washington and is regularly re-
ceiving official publications of great in
terest and value. The hall is decorated
with the Athenaeum portrait of Washing
| ton, Sartain's mezzo tint of Washington
| in his younger days, an original certificate
| of membership in the Order of the Cincin-
natl, anautograph copy Of America" writ
| ten by the author Rev. 8. F. Smith, for the
| society but two months before his death,
| and many other interesting works of art
| The members have taken great pride in
making this collection, large portion of
which has been donated.
| Holdridge o. Collins has been president
of the society since its organizati ton In 1893
and its prosperity and influence among the
other societies are largely owing to his
| earnest and devoted labors and the zeal
with which he has been assisted by the
members. The first secretary was Lieut..
Charles L. Collins of the army, but when
army headquarters were moved from Los
Angeles to Denver he was succeeded by
Arthur B. Benton. who has been retained
in this office by successive elections.
AS showing the catholicity of this So
/
political affiliations, the vice-president is
Spencer r. Thorpe, who was valiant SOL
dier and captain of the Confederate army.
He is now commander of the corps Of Con-
federate veterans of Los Angeles.
The society usually holds its meetings
upon the anniversary of Lexington, Bun
ker Hill, July 4th and February 22d, and
yesterday was the one hundred and twen-
ty-third anniversary of the battles of Lex
| ington and Concord.
| The principal features of the evening
| were the accounts given of the events of
that day. Mr.. Benton produced some OIL
letters of John Adams explaining the little
known influences at work upon the Eng
| lish authorities and the events leading up
| to the final rupture. General Johnstone
Jones gave graphic account of the fights
at Concord and Lexington, which were il
| lustrated by charts and maps. 1t was re-
solved to celebrate the battle of Bunker
Hill on June 18th by public presentation
of the medals awarded by the society to
the winners at the high school contest
for the best essay upon Patrick Henry. The
Los Angeles Society of the Daughters of
the American Revolution will participate
in this event. The first prize, silver
medal, was won by Paul G. Clark, son of
Rev. Alfred S. Clark, rector Of Christ