The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-04-06

The portrait Of MAJ. J. +. Bell, as
given above. is that of the gentleman
now aud for many years III charge OF
the Delivery Division of the Washing
ton city p1stotiice.
James f. Bell was born in this CITY
Fredericksburg. July 9th. 1919 Inc
NJ nor. for that l. his military title, as
Inspector General Of Rife Practice OF
the Districf of Columbia Militia, Is Il
descendant Of John Austin, the lnyen-
tor II the tulip-shaped bell, who was
knighted hy Queen Elizabeth, and was
by her named Bell.
He rem we'd from Fredericksburg 20
Washington in December, 1891. ana mas
been a resident of the District OF 90
lumbia since that time. His education
has been u practical one, as his primer
pal school training was IN the pubic
schools IT Washington city aud under
the tuition Of the late John +. Thomp-
son CA September 18th. 1862, he was
Amounted by the late Lewis Clephane
who was then postmaster, TO position
in the Washington city postoillre' ana
has been IN the Ofli'c continuously llr
nearly 30 yeArs lie has served under
nine postmasters VIZ Lewis Olephane'
Savles ! Bowen, J NJ Edmunds.
Daniel b Anger. Thomas l.. Tullock'
! Frank b Canger. john " Ross, Henry
Sherwood and James L Wiilett. lie Is
the third Oldest clerk. in point Of ser
vice. now employed III the city post
office Major Bell Is Past Master 81
Dawson Lodge, No. Is, y +. X a NJ.
and "A memb,r of Washington Com
mandery. M ]. X T., ana yestry-
man If Trinity p. f. Church, Of Wash
inpton. ID q. He has been prominent
! lv connected with the District National
! Guard since II was reOrganized under
/ the late General Ordway. On account
IF his reputation as long range shot
he was appointed and commissioned by
| President Cleveland As First Lieut. anant
and Inspector Of Rife Practice IN the
| Fifth Battalion. Later on ne was APP
pointed by Colonel Cecil Clay, com
handing the Second Regiment, as Cap
tain and Inspector If R,tle Practice on
ms staI. and was commissioned as such
bv President Harrison His present
commission. As Major and Inspector
General II Rifle Practice District OF
Columbia Militia. was issued TO hun
hv President Mckinley on the recon-
mendation f General George II Har-
ries. after the promotion Of that oincer
% the comm md left vacant by the
death of General Albert Ordway. MAJOR
Bell has been member of the brigade
rifle team since IFS organization. ana a
participant i'm al. 0f ITS matches. While
II was widely known for It's many VIC
tories. il made itself famous 10 the
Hilton trophy contest ~ So Grit y.
j.. September lo9i. hy hreaking all
pre- vious records Of rife shooting WITH
4 military ann.
As chairman of the committee on
comfort 1T rho Inaugural Ball given In
! honor Of President Garfield. he made
quite a reputation by the admirable ar
rangemsnts for the care of the wraps,
&c. Of the guests At all previous balls
If this character the one disagreeaole
feature was the lack q system when
would with any degree If certainty in'
sure the guests the return of their wraps
The ball given in honor Of President
| Grants last inaugural IN this parilcu
| lar was most notable. Not a
| single article was missing or ms.
laid at the Garfield ball Major Bell
has since served az chairman OF the
committee on comfort at all other balls
held in honor of every President since
! Garfield day