The daily morning journal and courier., 1901-12-28
A GYPSY CAMP.
THE INTERVENING PEoPLE THAT
 LIFE THERE.
The Patriarch Edward Smtth-iis Fortvf,ye Grest-GrandchiIdren Born

Forty five Great-Grandohiidre Born
 in America.
 The rumored attempted suicide re- gently of Edith Lowell, the beautiful gipsy girl. has attracted considerable attention to the nomadic tribe to Wnlch she belongs. The band Is encamped near this City within the District, and consists of elevne families, each having it's own tent or habitat, but all paying obedience and tribute to the patriarch Edward Smith.
 Smith was born in Breckinshire, south Wales, nearly one hundred and hVe years ago, and has made visit to hls old home five different times. lie claims to have been in every state ana territory in the Union, with the single exception Of Alaska.
 In stature and appearance he bears a striking resemblance to "Com Paul Kruger. and is extremely well preserved for one of his years, only being ueh- cient in his eyesight. Three years ago this winter he had a severe attach ol illness which was pronounced to pe incurable by his physicians, put ne stoutly maintained that could he sur vlve until spring and be permitted to sleep on the ground again Mother Earth would cure his ails and he would agaih be freed from the "rheumatics.
 The simple fact that he is stlll hVihs is evidence that his method of cure was effective, and when he learned lhete was visitor in camp he actualiy walked down hill to his great grand son,s tent. some one hundred and htty wards and that, through light snow fall. which made it difficult for a much younger man to travel. He and his sis- ter live on the hill directly to the west of Fourth street northeast, and Just south of the Catholic university, ana ne therefore has commanding view or the habitations of his children strewn on the westward slope, and keeps In touch with them on all things pertaining 10 their interests, settling their petty dis- putes and giving them counsel when necessary
 All of his children and most of his grandchildren were born abroad, put his grandchildren, some forty-f1V in number. were born In the United States. and only two of them in the same territory, Teddy and Seth Smith, eighteen and four months, respectively, | tn ho lumbia.
 Education is recognized in the tribe as a factor in governing qualifications ana Ellen Hall, daughter of the patriarch, outpoints the others in this, being well versed in the topics of the dav a fluent talker. speaking three languages be- sides the language of the tribe, and IS, therefore, the queen, ranking only sec ond to her aged father. Mrs. Hall tent rests on the base of the hill near Lincoln avenue and in close proximity to Trinity college, through whose ground can be seen well-worn foot path, which might or might not be the thoroughfare for the young lady resi- dents who seek the enlightenment Of the fortune teller The ladies from Washington patroniZe the queens es- tablishment. and on any pleasant day several of them may be seen at the diff ferent tents looking into the future, Mrs Halls tent is more pretentious | than the others, the furnishings are better and her horses. dogs and ponies are of the best, as they should be with one In her station She 1t is who dress rG hat and maintains more majestic air than | do the others. It Is she who plats the | city and gives each woman of the tribe | A division in which to ply their voca- ton according to her instructions, re- turning in the evening with the fruits l of their toll.
 l The children of the tribe are giver | names, in many instances recalling ar | incident or an occurrence connected with the place and time of their birth
 For instance, Rainy Lowell, wife oi
 Phoenix Lowell, first saw light during
 protracted spell of rainy weather
 And there are Leafy and Finance City
 and Nixy, the last name representing
 the disappointment of the father on the
 advent of the fourth successive girl 1T
 the family. Wester Lowell was born
 the time of a severe blizzard from the direction of the setting sun.
 | These people can drive a bargalr equal to any Yankee, but are perfectly
 fair in all of their transactions. They
 are law-abding citizens in most cases
 The children attend the Brookland pub
 lie school and the Queenstown Baptis
 Sunday school, conducting themselves
 we'll at both institutions.--W Washington | Star.