The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-16
VETERANS OF THE City
Incidents Attending Meetings OF
the Oldest Inhabitants.
Mouthpieces of Generations Long
Gone By-An Old BookwOrm and
His Collection OF Noiumes-"hy
Doctor Mary Walker Abandoned
Wish to Join the Association.

Nothing is more calculated to show
clearly that age has many pleasures than
a meeting of the Oldest Inhabitants AS
ISOLATION of this city. There is quaint
humor presented in many features oil
these gatherings of old men whose lives
are so closely connected with the early
days of Washington. Many friendly ar
guments arise as to what such region
was in such day, long since past, and
as to who was the pioneer in certain
trade whose followers in these times have,
for the most part, forgotten their founder
and predecessor If indeed they are cog
infant of the fact that such person ever
existed at all.
Indeed, the old traditions Of this city
NAV be said to be handed down prinei-
pally through the agency of the Oldest In
habitants. They are the mouthpieee OF
former generation. Through them dumb
voices speak again, as memory illumines
the past and carries them back to the
companions and acquaintance OF their
Younger days. But the pleasantest sight
of all is to see one of them mount his
hobby. like Uncle Toby, and revel in the
intricacies of discussion involving re-
searches into the very beginning OF our
municipal history.
one of the members of the association
is so thoroughly imbued with the hobby
embracing the past history and traditions
of Washington that it is become, in fact,
his very life. This old gentleman was the
nioneer of the book and stationery busi-
ness in this city, and his store under the
Ehbitt House was well known. Prominent
Cabinet officers, Senators, and Members
were in the habit of buying their periodi-
calls there, President Mckinley. then
serving his term in Congress, figuring as
one of these customers. The old book
seller did not, however, succeed in bust
ness to any very great extent, though he
is now retired, or at all events no longer
keeps a shop. Nevertheless. his modest
residence is LOADED down" with books.
There are books in the passage. books on
tho stairs books on the landing, and the
walls of the rooms are lined with DOCKS
Very many of these volumes deal Win
the subject of the history or washington
The old bookwOrm himself was the nrst
TO publish a directory OF the city. lie
chuckles with delight at every allusion
made by the visitor to tie magnitude of
his collection of local daia and wonders
triunphantly If another man can match
him in his acquisitions of this sort
Though eighty years Of age, he Is found
in all kinds of weather seeking among the
bookstaIls for rare volumes and maps re-
lating to Washington, or else one may
chance to meet him in the office OF the
Registrar of Wills, or. indeed, wherever
there are old documents available relat-
ing to incidents and people that have long
faded alike from the memory of our pres
ent population.
Such is one OF the members Of the Oldest
Inhabitants Association. Another Will be
found of gallant proclivities. who lately
moved resolution of thanks to the lady
visitors at a recent public celebration OF
the association. which motion excited much