davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05
Career of Thomas Law Outlined by
George Alfrod Townsend
PAPER BEFORE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Extensive Investments in Realty
One Hundred Years Ago.
CHOL A r A n d p O Z I

Attention was called at the meeting which
was held last evening in the banquet hall
of the Shoreham of the Columbia Historical
Society to the aroused interest which was
manifest in this community in the objects
and aims of the organization. AS the presi-
dent of the society, Mr. John A. kasson.
observed this was shown in part by the adj
ditions to the membership. He called at
tentiOn to the fact that at the meeting OF
the board of managers held just prior to
the meeting of the society quite a list of
names of applicants for member ship had
been acted upon favorably. He expressed
the hope that all those who were in SYM
pathy with the work of compiling and pre-
serving local history would cooperate with
the society by joining It's ranks. By sending
the names TO the secretary of the society.
Mrs Mary Stevens Beall 1854 32d street,
the initial step would be taken.
The first paper of the evening was read
by Mai Henry b. LOCKER. and gave the
contents of two interesting letters written
by Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thompson,
the secretary of Congress for many
years, and a connection of the family of
his wife In this correspondence the third
President of the United States, then in the
retirement of his home in Monticello. dis
cusses his attitude in regard to religious
questions
A graphic as well as apprec.ative sketch
of Thomas Law, one of the pioneer citizens
Of this city, was read by Mr. George Alfred
Townsend, the well-known author and
newspaper correspondent whose study of
this locality and the times in which Mr.
Law was prominent in the affairs Of the
city enabled him at this late day TO do some
measure of justice TO the career OF one
whose memory has been much neglected
The close attention which Mr.. Townsend
paper received was evidence of the interest
in the subject and also of the literary skill
with which the material had been used.
Thomas Laws Career.
Nh Townsend said in part:
Those who have read the earliest of Sir
Walter SCOTS novels-W re-
member the final chapters, the executions
OF rebels in 17i5 from the Castle of Carlisle
the dead march heard between the tollngs
Of the cathedral bell
At that time the archdeacon of Carlisle
Cathedral was Edmund Law, who later be-
came bishop OF Carlisle for nineteen years
and died al the Episcopal residence, Rose
yention to make the American Constitution
Bishop Law had lived elghty-four years
or from the time of Queen Anne A clergy
mans son, two of his sons bishops, another
chief Justice of England, he long survived
his wife Mary Christian. who left him
eleven children, of whom the eighth SON,
Thomas Law was thirteen years old.
At seventeen this orphan Cumbrian lad
went out to India just at the promotion of
general under the absolute East India Com
pany.
Law remained in India under our Lord
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05

Scott Key, was his lawyer, to render
opinion upon his title. This last-named
plot was settled upon his wife at their sep
aration, then exchanged for an annuity
and finally resulted in one of the important
land suits of this District, their grandch!l-
dren claiming some $6G0oO. 1t appears
that Mr.. Laws daughter realized from
him toward 100000. material part of his
all. His wife for some reason had 81. $50
year. equal to twice or thrice that now.
To follow Mr.. Laws purchases around
the District would require real estate map
to illustrate my paper. He bought in the
region of Dupont Circle long before its de-
velopment. 90
Miss Seaton says Thomas Law earlier was
of fine person, undoubted genius, with q
rotund voice and read his own poetry
grandly, but he was also uncomfortable, eN-
traOrdinary, instructive, imDusive and Of
elective affinites. He is said to have forgot
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05


At the Point Georgia Avenue, possibly AVIS
Office.
his clothes after the swimming bath at
Berkeley Springs, and appeared in the
promenade as Adam.
We have but one account of Mr.. Laws
personal appearance. though it Is by Faux.
Kind, agreeable and benevolent to all. In
personal appearance small. lean. withered
and rustic. His nose, however. is noble like
Lord Peterborough but his mind is per-
haps nobler than that of any Of the family.
although he lives in greater simplicity than
a country squire in England"
One man only have l ever talked with
who personally saw Thomas Law. namely,
the late Christopher Lowndes of Bladens-
burg. and his father took him to an oyster
house somewhere in Washington, where
they met grave, sweet old man, with
whom they had some oysters, and he read
them poem of his own. Could Thomas
Law walk in among us tonight and unfold
a poem would we smile run?
He left his son Johns two sons Thomas and
Edward. 5000 in Illinois lands when they
should become of age. John, the modest,
the unantagonizing fathers son. passed out
untimely, and the old mans bereavement
spread through the city with that thrill
which is like domestic loss.
Acquires a Farm.
While his children yet lived In 1917. at
the age Of flfty-eight, Mr.. Law bought the
farm called the Retreat, or Tusculum. In
Prince Georges county, and was MADE
there the president Of an agricultural So
ciety.
The Retreat was farm and forest upon
the Maryland tabieland two miles across
the Eastern branch of the Potomac. The
road to 1t climbed piney, gravelly hill and
descended into the cove of little stream
called for the English Oxon at Oxford. A
second hill was crowned with Mr.. Laws
wooden villa or seat" HIGH cone-roofed
house with two dormers on each SIDE Of the
roof comb and four heavy brick chimneys,
trail mansion of two stories and to one
story extensions The full length Of the
ground floor was more than seventy feet
by nearly half that width.
s Its front toward Washington city, whose
blue cavity could be seen, but not the city
ITSELF except from the two high garnet
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05

Flora Annie Steel
Frank I. Bullen
Paul Laurence Dunbar
George Manville Fem
Edwin Markham
Josiah Flynt
Marshall Saunders
Noah Brooks
Molly Elliott Seawell
w. I. Stead
Hon. Chas. II. Duell,
Walter Wellman
|. n. Friedman
y an an m 4 IN q pc =.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05
Extends His Boundaries.

Robert Morris was in the East India
trade and senator till 1795: his failure
threw much real estate upon the market
and his assignee. in 1895, was Vim. Mayne
Duncasson Of the East indies, for $50 GOO
square feet. Thomas Law bought 1911 600
square feet and came up to the Capitol
building, where now Is the granite coast
survey. Philip Burton Key, uncle OF Francis
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05
Time and Experience

are severe tests; but both tests. and
all other tests, have been met by
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05

as Law Of this city Youth, beauty, &C.
cemplishments and goodness have suddenly
descended to the grave. Her fond husband
was absent and with all his hopes of happi-
ness dashed at once from him forever, will
return and feel all the pangs of a dis
tressed parent on beholding his lovely chill
dren."
BY this second wife Mr.. Law had Two
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05

Hon. John d. Long
Secretary Of the Navy
Hon. w. X. Day
Ex-Secretary of State
Hon. John Bigelow
Ex-Minister to FRANCE
Hon. Frank W. Rollins
Governor of New Hampshire
Hon. Lyman ]. Gage
Secretary OF the Treasury
Hon. Theodore Roosevelt
Governor of New York
Admiral Philip Hichborn
Chief Constructor. L. s. n
DR.. f. G.. Jackson
Explorer of the Arctic
Capt. Joshua Slocum
Circumnavigator
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05
Few Public Men, Educators, Explorers and Story
Tellers Who Will Write for the 1901 V0lume

Ernest Seton-Thompson
Artist and Author
William T. HOrnaday
Director Of the New York Zoo"
Raymond L. Ditmars
BIOLOGIST and Journalist
Bradford Torrey
Ornithologist and Author
The late Max Muller
of Oxford
Prof. RodolfO Lanciani
the Italian Archaeologist
Dir. Sven Hedin
the Swedish Explorer
Ri. Hon. James Bryce
English Statesman and Author
Lady Stanley
formerly Miss Dorothy Tenant
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05

Crown Catarrh Powder.
One pHfr clears head and throat for the day. &c
VILLA ms 9TH & F: Aieck's 1i29 Pa. ave-; Days
l4th & p: yesterdays. G n. ]. ave-: Edrnonds &
Williams. Sd l. Pa. ave-; koos'. It'll Fla ave.
mol u.wA-0
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05

w. D. Howells
Mary f. Wilkins
George w. Cable
Sarah Orne Jewett
Frank r. Stockton
Elizabeth Stuart Phelps
Gilbert Parker
Harriet Prescott Spofford
Gen. Charles King
Margaret E. Sangster
Paul Leicester Ford
Sarah Barnwell Elliott
Charles w. Chestnut
n m ri nm m no #
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-12-05

Ballantins'a India Pale Ale Ia regularly used at
many Of the college traiaing tables.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21
THE WILMINGTON MESSENGER, TUESDAY, AUGUST

had provided a flower garden for exer-
else. The Episcopal rector went over
and ploughed the corn Of the worthy
maidens already mentioned, and then
sem word to the Presbyterian pastor
requesting him to hoe It"
The bishop was a southron of south
rons, true as steel, and in the war n
after shamed all deserters and traitors
by his his unbending, faithful, perpen-
dicular course. He published a work
called "Recollections OF a Grandfath-
er." We have never e the work
but have read now and then appetizing
extracts. He had an interesting con-
versation with a northern friend. Talk
ing of Mrs. Stoves Uncle Toms Cab
In" this occurred as given in the COM
munication in the Central:
WHO was the finest example of fe-
male character described on the pages
Of this celebrated novel? The reply
was, The planters daughter She,
said the southerner, was the Offspring
of that society which existed where
slavery was fostered. Who was the
best Illustration of genuine Christianity
true religion? The reply was Uncle
Tom He, said the Bishop, was the
product of slavery. Who was the worst
man in the book? The overSeer,' said
h northern man. He, said the bishop,
was from New England"
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21
WITH FIRE.

Any one who has studied the presi-
Dental campaigns of the last twelve OF
sixteen years cannot be easily surpris-
ed at any statement of corruption how
ever great, or of any plan to capture
however loaded with fraud and igno-
miny. 1t is ever now. this soon in the
campaign. intimated in the north that
so desperate and vicious are the repub-
lican leaders that there is in formation
or already organized. a Propaganda
Of Panic" They are ready to play
with the sharpest of edged tools so they
can compass their end by re-electing
Mckinley and perpetuating a so per
cent. average tariff tax and keep the
enormous trusts rolling and grinding
the people. The Philadelphia Record is
an Independent gold paper, n it says,
as We take from the Baltimore Sun:
THE Philadelphia Record, an inde-
pendent democratic newspaper, says,
it is capable of demonstration that
there are republican campaigners who
would run the risk of disturbing the
business Of the country in order to ad-
vance the lance of party success
The timidity of capital, declares the
Record, is p~roverbial. 1t is almost pos
sible to create a panic by expecting and
predicting it. The republicans them
selves concludes our Philadelphia con-
temporary, are invoking the very evil
they profess to fear from the election
of Mr.. Bryan
THE Records rebuke is a~bundantly
justified by the tone of many newspa-
pers which are advocating the re-elec-
ton of President Mckinley and the
reckless and unfounded statements of
republican orators. They are Shout
ing calamity with a pesistency which,
despite the unparalleled era of Nc
kinley prosperity the country is en-
joying, might seriously disturb business
conditions if the people should believe
all hat they hear and read"
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21

and strategical ability Mr.. Bryan has
here shown. Everything-the entire
course Of the campaign M its results
depends upon h further use he
makes Of his opportunities to keep the
new issue not only paramount, but ex-
elusive"
The New York Evening Post hat is
trying to defeat Bryan and may even
swallow Mckinley again, says this:
The nation is shocked, as 1t ought
Ito be, at the audacity of the corruption
which is practised in Delaware and
Montana.
Free coinage, Trusts. and Imperial
ism i out of sight in comparison
with the fundamental issue of the cor
Eruption of the commonwealth in n
lof the original thirteen states, as well
las in one of the youngest among the
Iforty-fve. Delaware and Montana are
simultaneously he scenes OF the most
open and barefaced attempts TO buy a
state which have ever been seen in
this country"
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21
SIGNS.

Nh. Edward M. Shepard, the chief
of the anti-machine democracy of
Brooklyn, n. Y, is out for Bryan. He
is mentioned for the governorship, but
will not take office. He is an able par
ty leader. He says Of his purpose:
st shall vote for Mr.. Bryan. I shall
do what I can TO elect him. Nothing
could be more inconsistent ON my part
than a refusal to cooperate with the
democratic party at this election. I
have hitherto believed and I now be-
lieve in its traditional doctrines: and
I have faith in its capacity for future
usefulness. From the fall of 1898, when
the Paris treaty first presented the new
issue Of Imperialism. 1 have s~teadfast-
ly, in eaSon and out of season, n
much of the time in a seemingly small
minority, declared that issue to be
paramount in the American politics Of
u time"
The New Haven Register gold dem
ocrat, that has said it would oppose
Bryan, praises much his speech of ac-
ceptance. 1t says:
cit would be futile to deny political
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21
A POLITICIAN OF SPLENDID PARTS
DEAD.

1t was an oversight that We did not
mention the death of ex-senator John
J. ingalls,, of Kansas, who was born in
Massachusetts in 1888, and was educa-
ted at Williams college. He was in his
67th year. He died of throat disease.
He figured much in politics after 1858,
when he went to bleeding kansas.
He was excellently enthusiastically,
gifted and we'll read. In fact he a
most marked, most extraordinary gifts.
He hated the south, he was bitter, sar-
castle. resourceful. classical, bold; a
creator of splendid invective, an orator
of most commanding force; a rhectori-
clan of very rare qualities, a politician
of great a~droitness and boldness, too
Independent to always wear a party
yoke and too ambitious to be easily
satisfied. He was in truth one of the
commanding figures in the senat when
the republicans had in that body
much ADLER men than now. He wrote
with exceeding cleverneSS. He was
crisp, brilliant, graphic, some thing
imaginative, and was cunning of fence
while dashing in attack. For twenty
years Senator ingalls, has been to us a
man of interest, entertaining us often
with his superb ~delineations n un-
ceasing elasticity and earnestness Of
augmentation. He had hardly a fell
low in all the land. While he savage
Iy assaulted the south he did not spare
men of his own party. He served for
twelve years in the senate and with
distinction and effectiveness. We do
not believe he has left behind him an
equal in h republican party. A most
gifted man has gone out never to re-
turn again. Peace to his soul.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21

Rev. David b.. Dow, an adopted son
of the once celebrated Methodist itin-
Grant preacher. Lorenzo Dow, died re-
Gently in Columbus county. He was
found dead. He was sadly addicted to
opium and he died, it is thought, from
its effects. He was a man of educa-
ton and acquisition. An exchange
says of him:
I'VE are told that he established
no less h eighty Baptist churches
during the sixty odd years of his life,
and that he was a very able preacher.
His character was beyond criticism,
except for the habit that held him with
hooks of steel. This he contracted
some twenty-five years ago., when he
was b victim of eve headaches.
From that time his life was the old,
old story; uncomfortable desire, sacri-
ficing everything for satisfaction; dire
poverty; death. His widow is now on
a bed of sickness"
Very sad indeed!
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21

We are quite sure that the present
year has been the most fatal OF all
others in lightning strokes. Quite re-
Gently We saw reports from two points.
stating that six persons were killed at
one place and seven at another. This
been going on all summer. We be-
that the number for one year-336
AS killed by lightning Will be doubled
this year. The Evening Wisconsin
states that the danger from lightning
is far greater in the country than in
the city n barns are more frequently
struck thai buildings of any other
class. In 1892 the number OF barns
struck by lightning in h single state
of New York was III. When the barb
ed wire fences first came into vogue
farmers in Wisconsin and elsewhere
suffered heavy losses through the kill
ing Of stock by lightning, owing to fail
ure to ground the wire. The weather
bureau calculates the danger of light
ming stroke as five times greater in the
country than in the city,
Lightning is much more dangerous
and destructive in the south than in
any part of the north.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21

The Lenoir Topic told of a new
manifestation of negro supremacy, and
in a section of the state not hitherto
particularly concerned as to negro
power as manifested in local matters.
The Topic says, and let real white
folks read and consider:
1.-The republicans of this section have
always lbelittled the claim that negroes
could dominate the politics of even
the negro counties, but the recent cleo
ton shows that they have for once
dominated Caldwell county. The legis-
lative ticket in this county was defeat
ed by 81 majority. The negro vote in
the county is over 200. So it is plain
to anyone that the negro vote brought
about the result. Adams majority
was "a. Eliminate the negro vote and
Aycock would have had over 200 ma
jority. This negro vote not only gave
us a VIGOROUSLY incompetent repre-
sentative, but came very near electing
a county solicitor very nearly as in
competent"
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21
The Passing of Butler.

The result of the recent election in
North Carolina e~ffectually disposes of
Marion Butler. His term in the United
States senate will expire on March 3
next, and with it his political career,
at least in his native state, will come
to an end. 1t may be doubted that he
could be elected a coroner in any
North Carolina county under the new
amendment to the constitution.
There will be few sincere regrets be-
cause of his retirement, and the state
will be better off for his observation.
That he is a man of a good deal of abil-
lity cannot be doubted; otherwise he
would never have been a United States
senator. But his talents have not
been used for the best possible purpos-
les. In politics he has represented no
igreat and enduring principle; nothing,
Indeed, except opportunism. His plan
lof campaign a been anything to
win" He has been shifty, shrewed,
and a ~bargainer. He was ever ready
to enter into combination with any
political organization that would agree
to dividing the offices with his faction;
land the party that offered the most
and h best paying offices was the
one which received his favor. AS
chairman of the populist national COM
mittee he was ready to combine with
lNAfS SaAA NHS
on the national ticket four years ago;
and as leader of the North Carolina
populiSts he arranged a fusion with
1.-THE republicans against the democrats
lon the state ticket. That is a pretty
fair indication of his character as a
politician. Political principle he cared
little for. Wi it VIM" was the test
which he applied to every proposition.
There cannot he much doubt, if any
that Butler is largely responsible for
the animosities that have grown up
and the tragedies-the Wilmington
riots etc.-that have occurred in North
Carolina during the past three or four
years. From the time of the over
throw of carpetbag government in the
south, more than twenty years ago,
the negro had remained quiescent as a
til Marion Butler and his ~co-workers
stirred him UP n a him believe
that it was his mission to be a ruler
in the and through the ballot box.
Buffers object, of course, was to Sc
Icure offices for himself and his friends.
In order to get them he was willing
that his state should pass under the
domination of the weakest, most ig-
lnorant political element.
Butler is one of the brainy dema-
lgogues that climbed into prominence
upon the shoulders of the Farmers AL
lance; by which performance, by the
way, the organization was ruined. But
The erred in %Supposing thai he could
perpetuate himself in office by a policy
based upon eXpediency alone. Buffers
downfall was not long deferred. He
has had only six years of good office
holding. There are other d~emagogues
of the Butler class in high places, who
may be expected to take a tumble
sooner or later.-Savannah News.
The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-08-21

1Oc; gross receipts 331 pafes' SAFES SO
bales; stock 3. 0e9 bales
Total today-Net receipts s.S oe!es;
exports to Great Britain 4.o4s oates'
continent 20 bales; stock ss,ses oa,eS
lii ted = Net receipts $40 bales
exports to Great Britain 4.e4S bales;
continent 80 bales.
o since September met re-
ceipts - bales: exports to Sreat
Britain 2.SS6.s.5 paies: Erance 0SsS''
Futures closed quiet: August BIS;
September ST.. October $50; Novem-
Der $50: December S.Ss: January $50:
February SIS: March $50: April Sal;
May S.42; June S.f2
Spot cotton dull: middling uplands
loc; midling gulf 1okc: sales So bales.
GRAIN AND PROVISION MARKET.
Chicago. August 1s.-The leading tu-
lures ranged as follows:
Open. High. Low. CIU-