Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-06-02
FUTURE OF FORT STEVENS
SUBJECT DISCUSSED by BRIGHT
WOOD AVENUE CITIZENS.
Letters Read From Governors of
States Exhibiting Interest in Mat
ter Other Business.

The monthly meeting of the Brightwood
Avenue Citizens Association was held last
evening, with Mr.. Louis P. Shoemaker,
president, in the chair, and Mr.. John G.
Keene serving as secretary. communi-
cation was read from Mr.. j. G. Falck,
secretary of the board Of school trustees.
stating that the board heartily Endorsed the
proposition of the Brightwood Association
suggesting that a series of lectures be. de-
liHered by prominent men before the chill
dren of the Brightwood and other public
schools on the lives of the several Presi-
dents of the United States. -..-.s,r
Mr. r. NJ. johnson, a member Of the his
torical committee, made report of what
had been done by the committee since the
last meeting of the association. At its
last meeting the committee had, he said,
Reached the conclusion that the best way to
secure the assistance of Congress in max
ing of Fort Stevens a public park. and re-
tanning the old fort as it should be pre-
served was to turn the whole matter over
to the Grand Army of the Republic, and
other patriotic organizations of the District
of Columbia. He predicted that in the
comparatively near future, Fort Stevens
would become a second Mt. Vernon. and
i'll the course of a few years there would be
erected there a monument to Abraham Lin
coin. which would be surpassed only by that
which was erected in Washington to George
Washington
Committee Praised.
Mr.. Shoemaker spoke in terms Of warm
praise of the work accomplished by Chair
man Cox, Mr.. johnson and other members
Of the historical committee. and said one
result of the agitation of the retention of
Fort Stevens as a place of historical inter-
est had caused Brightwood to become
known throughout the United States. He
also thought every citizens association in
the District of Columbia ought to have
historical committee.
Mr.. j. G. Keene said he had received be-
tween twenty and thirty letters. many of
them from governors Of states. asking for
information about Fort Stevens and con-
veying assurance of hearty cooperation in
trying to carry out the objects of the asso-
citation in respect Of the place where Presi-
dent Lincoln stood during the battle there.
Mr.. Leo Simmons president of the Co
lumbia Heights Citizens Association, made
a short address, in which he eulogized the
work already accomplished by the Bright
wood association, and suggested that 1t
meeting Of all the citizens associations in
the District of Columbia about once in
three months.
Mr. C. C. Lancaster referred to con-
versation which he held a few days since
with Mr.. Arthur Hendricks, past command
er of the Department Of the Potomac. G.
A. R.. relative to the proposed preserva-
ton of Fort Stevens. 1t was the opinion
of Mr.. Hendricks Mr. Lancaster said. that
the members Of the G. A. r. intended to
make the preservation of Fort Stevens
matter of personal concern and to do all
in their power to carry out the associations
proposition.
Speaking of the celebration Of Memorial
day at Battle Ground cemetery. Mr.. w. v.
Cox said among those present was the
daughter Of General Smith, commander of
the corps which, during the advance of
Early on Washington, made a charge on
the confederates across the field where the
exercises were held this week.
An Original Patent.
Mr. Shoemaker exhibited to those present
the original patent for a large tract of
land in the vicinity Of Brightwood signed
by the chancellor Of England in 1741.
Mr.. w. ]. Lambert submitted copy Of a
new constitution prepared for the associa-
ton by a committee Of which he Is chair
man. In the revised organic law the name
OF the association is changed from Bright
wood Avenue Citizens Association to
Brightwood Citizens Association. Other
changes Of a character of interest to the
members alone were made. The report
was adopted.
Resolutions of sympathy in bereavement
and others of a personal character, adj
dressed to members and honorary members
of the association, were adopted.
After remarks by Mr.. ]. Nota McGill.
former register Of wills, and Major H. NJ.
Gilmer the meeting adjourned to meet on
the second Friday in July.