Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-12
FIFTY YEARS AGO
TN THE STAR

hotels. His complexion was so light that no
one suspected that he was not OF the Cau-
therefore he enjoyed his otium cum dfgnf-
tate. But a Geographic dispatch had
reached John Davis. the chief Of police, CIV
ing an accurate description of the runaway:
mentioning among other things that he
spoke the German language. He had not
only attired himself handsomely for his
northern trip, but had all the belongings
of traveller for long absence. On Sun
day afternoon he went to the cars to take
passage The chief Of the police. governed
by the Geographic description of his per-
son, there arrested him and conducted him
before Justice Hollingshead. who committed
him to Jail to await the requisition Of his
owner"
A brief item was published in The Star
of Monday to the effect that an unnamed in
dividual had been arrested
ingenious for stealing a pair of shoes
nefense from 7th street store. In
the issue Of Tuesday, Novem-
Der 6, occurs this explanation:
I'VE published an item yesterday stating
that one of our citizens recently got into a
little difficulty and that for scrimmage
and the taking of a pair of shoes he was
held for bail. Lest it may be supposed that
there was a dishonest intent on his part it
Is due to state that he enjoys good char
acter but will occasionally indulge in a
heavy dose of alcohol. 1t was under the
influence of the intoxicating liquid that he
Invited shoe merchant to participate In a
drink with him. The invitation having been
declined he took a pair of shoes from the
store. supposing that the merchant follow
Ing him to recover the property. would
next accompany him to the tavern
The volunteer fire companies formed a
conspicuous part of the social life of this
city in the middle Of the last century. and
IN The Star of November Z, 1855, is found
a description of a Characteristic event, a
celebration by the Northern Liberties Fire
Company of the anniversary of their or
ganization, parade with music proceed
Ing from their own house down Massachu-
sets avenue to Third street, to Pennsyl-
wanna avenue and thence to the Union en-
CINE house, in the first ward After par
taking of the good things there spread in
profusion-nothing stronger to drink than
lemonade-the Northern Liberties Fire Com
pany, through their president Mr.. S. P.
Robertson, presented to Mr.. Daniel Perkins
of the Union heavy gold seal ring he hav-
ing recently given unmistakable evidence of
his friendship toward them. After this part
of the ceremonies had been concluded the
Houston Club presented the Northern Lib
critics with a beautiful wreath of flowers
attached to staff with the number of that
Company. Six" In the center. Mr..
George w. Taylor sung song in his usual
line style. An hour or more was thus pleas
antly passed when the Northern Liberties
members reformed and returned to the VII
ward. Passing the residence of the lady who
ardently interested herself in procuring for
them the national banner which they so
proudly displayed. they gave their salute in
passing by taking off their hats.
In the course OF long discussion of mat
tiers pertaining to the public health and an
argument for the abatement
Public of certain mIsances The
Health Star of November S, 1855
said:
Washington can no longer be classed
among the villages of this republic: it's
thistle-grown old fields nave long since
been encroached upon by street extensions
and our friend, Col. w. w. Seaton, would
be much puzzled now to catch trout back
of st. Patricks Church. or shoot woodcock
in the Siashes. AS we have attained the
rank of a city must always expect to
become subject to those usual health-de-
stroyfng Influences which are unknown to
small populations. Washington has reach
ed stage of progress and prosperity which
requires the intervention of strict sanitary
regulations and the adoption of those
modes of preserving health which q have
been elsewhere attained by tardy and
often, too, painful experience. system
may be adopted before serious harm can
arise, and thereby the old reputation for
health within our borders be preserved
Let us not forget that the republic intrusts
many precious lives to us annually and the
councils should do all in their power to
give them the natural blessings which thew
enjoy at home"
"A wedding ceremony" stated The Star
of November Q, twas celebrated yesterday
afternoon in the First Presbyterian Church
on IA street, Col. NJ. Thompson leading to
the altar Miss Mary G. Douglass, and the
Rev. Byron Sunderland, in a solemnIy i'm
preSSive manner. conducting the irnportant
ceremony. large number of ladies and
gentlemen were present, including the mar
ried as well as persons now in state of
celibacy. The latter had a fine oportlnitv
of seeing how such knots are tied and
to prepare themselves accordingly for the
hymeneal performance.
ION the conclusion of the ce~ap,onv
nearly all of the assembage advanced and
congratulated the bride and groom on their
happy union, while the handshaking was
terated friendship Who next? we over
heard a young lady significantly inquire of
her female companion; while a deep blush
suffused the cheeks of the maiden who was
thus accosted. All Who next? (pass it
round) is the impatient lnterrogatory"
Many jokes have been made of late wears
about the erratic habits of the post office
clock. 1t had its prototype
Eccentric in the old times as a letter
Clock. in The Star of November 10.
1850. from a Georgetown cor
respondent suggests. He wrote:
Zone of our friends would like to be In
formed of the present use of the dial plate
OF Christ Church, Georgetown, for as he
was passing IT yesterday a little after y
o'clock the north plate showed twenty min
utes to 9, the south plate showed 12 o'clock,
the east twenty minutes to 3, the west u.
How long this may have been so he Is I'M
able to state, but we have seen II so many
times and often, it's striking propensities
having been dormant for some time Now
we are quite sure that there is a sum set
apart from the church to have its time
pieces kept in order in all respects; there
fore we hope this notice will attract those
whose interest and credit ii is to attend to
these things. And while on the subject of
clocks we would like m know tho uca or