Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-07
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

There were no "whiz wagons in 1865.
no electric cars. and no bicycles, yet the
streets were not entirely safe
Fast for pedestrians. Despite the
Driyinp. lack of smooth pavements-
Pennsylvania avenue was
then In soft weather little better than
a mudhole-certain persons were guilty of
such reckless driving as to call forth the
following protest in The Star Of April 80:
Dangerous Sport to drive horses
through the streets at any time, especially
at night, at such speed that pedestrians are
led to believe that the horses are running
away. Fast young men who wish to try
their nags would do we'll to try some other
training grounds than the avenues and
streets, In which there are at all reason
able hours ladies and children, out on busi-
ness or promenading. who frequently have
to the other
1t Is needless to note that there were no
bike cops" to keep traffic in good order.
It Is an interesting coincidence that just
fifty years prior to the asse milling here of
the International Railway Congress the
Capital entertaining a railroad con-
vention. The Star of May 1 notes that
representatives of sixteen southern rail-
road lines met at the National Hotel. The
chairman was R. R. Cuyler. president of
the Georgia Central, and the secretary ].
L. Fleming. superintendent OF the Whining
ton and Manchester committee was
named to prepare schedule between
Washington and New Orleans. and another
to request the Postmaster General to sus-
pend the Sunday mails without abating
the annual compensation.
y
An eclipse Of the moon occurred on the
night of the LIST, and on May The Star
printed q bit Of correspond
moons ence from Baltimore, signed
Eclipse. 'Roderick," written during
the shadow. under the wierd
influences Of such an occasion. The fol-
lowing extract gives fair notion Of the
quaint and glowing style then in vogue in
polite letters:
1T Is now near 10 o'clock and the moons
ecliptic phenomenon is progressing with
thousands OF gazing admirers. Cynthia rose
her approaching the earth's intervening
shadow was encircled by golden halo.
This by degrees disappeared and heavens
silver orb hung bright and beautiful in the
cerulean arch. Not a cloud was seen. l
have never beheld more lovely night.
At the appointed time. foretold, our
modest queen of night began to retire be-
hind the sable, shadowy curtain. She is
half obscured. Ere long she will have
taken the black veil. There is nothing
strange or wonderful In this phenomenon,
yet 1t proclaims the greatness of Him who
framed the universe. and demonstrates the
exactnesS with which His laws are OBJ
served. No man can behold and contem-
plate the grandeur beauty. exactness of
creation and not acknowledge the exist
ence of God
1T Is now twenty minutes past 10 O'Clock
and the earth's shadow has obscured the
moon. She is dimly visible through SEEM
ing thick mist. and Of ruddy hue. 1t Is
quite dark. The stars are brilliant, though
a gloom hangs upon natures face. I shall
not be able to watch my pale friend any
longer and shall leave her to the observa-
ton of Others"
A conception Of the enormous growth of
the population. wealth, industries and perils
is gained from this state
April ment Of the fire losses
Eyr.. throughout the United States
during April. 1855, printed In
The Star of May 3:
"Twenty-seven fires are known to have
occurred in the United States during the
last month, where the loss in each instance
exceeded $4,000. The total amount Of loss,
Including that occasioned by the late fire In
Boston, exceeds 81 ,200.0OO, and the prop
erty destroyed comprised seven manufac-
turing establishments, two churches ana
three steamboats,
1t is a safe estimate that during April,
1908, the fire loss in this country was fully
100000. And the April OF fifty years
ago seems to have been particularly bad
one in this respect
Jewelry was much In fashion in the nIt!es
and occasionally ran to extremes. But with
all allowances made a suspicion arises that
the reverend critic mentioned in this para
graph was himself indulging in hyperbole:
"A Methodist minister of this city re-
Gently, while reading the discipline to the
congregation, paused to suggest that If any
of the congregation will continue to wear
jewelry, the number of rings on the finger
be not more than five, nor the breastpln
larger than a good-sized turnip."