Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-03-29
RECEIVE FEW RESPONSES
SUGGESTION OF DATE FOR DISTRICT
DAY AT BUFFALO.
Mr.. w. v. Cox Recommends Anniver-
sary of Battle OF Fort stevens
Other Views.

Speaking today of the invitation extended
the District by the pan-American exposi-
ton to set apart one day during the six
months it will be open to be known as
District of Columbia day, Commissioner
mcfarland said the Commissioners, in re-
Spouse to their request for suggestions
from the people here have SO far received
but three One came from Mr.. w. V. Cox,
who suggested that either the 18th or 18th
of July be selected as District day. Re-
ferring to the fact that a bill was re-
Gently introduced In the New York iegis-
lature for the purpose of erecting monu-
ment in memory of the soldiers of that
state who gave up their lives in defense
of the national capital, Mr., Cox asks would
it not be well to choose the date on which
the fight at Fort Stevens occurred?
The saving of the capital says Mr.. Cox,
from capture is by far the most important
event that has ever occurred in the local
history of the District of Columbia. Thirty
seven years ago, on July II and u, the
only battle in the District of Columbia took
place. That event. when General Jubal A.
Early came near capturing Washington
also marks the high tide of the confed-
eracy. North and south can join together
on those days at Buffalo, as the old SOL
diers are now doing in Washington and
elsewhere. for the purpose OF saving Fort
Stevens as a part Of battlefield park. eX-
tending from Fort Reno, near Tenleytown
on the west and Fort Totten, near the
Soldiers Home on the east.
OF Special Interest.
at will be of special interest to recall in
this connection that it was at Fort Stevens
that Abraham Lincoln, then President,
stood on the parapet encouraging the Union
soldiers to deeds of valor. Men who Wore
the gray would approve the day in memory
of those who sleep in unknown graves at
Woodside and other places near Washing
ton, and they now know that when Lin
coin died the south lost it's best friend.
The heroic defenders of Fort Stevens and
of Washington, those who held the fort on
July II and II, and the gallant soldiers of
the 9Th and 10th Army Corps who came
hundreds of miles to the relief of their
country's capital, will approve the day in
memory of those gallant comrades who fell
in battle and in memory of those who sleep
in Battle Ground cemetery, near Bright
wood
Views of Mr.. Douglass.
Ex-District Commissioner John w. Doug
lass has suggested that the list day of July
be set apart as District day, explaining
that July i, 1878, the present District gov
ernment was inaugurated, the board of
Commissioners consisting of Seth Ledyard
Phelps, who was chosen president of the
board; Josiah Dent and Major William
Johnson Twining of the Engineer Corps of
the army.
The third suggestion made is that of Mr.
Jos. l. Keefer of 529 18th street, who states
that he is cousin of the first President,
George Washington, through the generals
mother, Mary BAH. General Washington,
says Mr.. keefer fought some memorable
battles between May and November, and
he suggests making one of them or the an
niyersary of the birth of Washington's
mother District day at the exposition.
Personally Mr. Macfarland believes the
District should accept the invitation ex-
tended to it by the exposition authorities
and, as heretofore stated, he and his asso-
ciates will welcome suggestions as to the
day and manner in which it should be OBJ
served