Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-24
FIFTY YEARS AGO
In THE STAR

| In THE STAR
washjngton's military circles were deeply
| stirred by a social event Of prime impor-
tance fifty years ago. visit
Visiting by the AmoskeaE Stark Vet
va&.rer. Grams of New Hampshire.
who were on q tour of the
cities Of the east. The star of December
IT,, 1885 described the visiting organiza-
ton as fellows:
.Corning from . conservative state-the
birthplacs OF Pierce and Webster and
woodbury. and . bright galaxy Of other
noted statesmen-they had been I'm other
cities) greeted NJ direct representatives of
the gallant old New Hampshire line OF the
revolution who had wheeled into column to
perpetuate the bright examples OF the gal
liant fathers The Veterans belong to the
fourishing manufacturing city of Manches-
ter, and bear Its indian name .Amoskeag.'
This was q noted fortress OF the red-man--
then the headquarters OF the veterans Of
New Hampshire In the French War-and the
birthplace of many able revolutionary SOL
diers. II was the birthplace OF the grand
father OF President Pierce and Is the last
resting place OF that gallant soldier. who
said to his troops on the event Of the bait
tie OF Bennington. Boys. there are red
seats-ws must take them tonlght Or Molly
spectacle citizens OF Manchester united in
forming this corps. not merely for secur-
Ing law and order but az a pleasant band
OF gentlemanly association. In the ranks
are to be found the mayor of the city, the
Judge of the police court, the city marshal.
street commissioners, the tax collector. the
postmaster. lawyer, physicians. bank d.
v1t txov n
from all occupations and positions OF prom
inence.'
diligently and successfully in the old days
as at present. In the Star
Clever OF December II, 1885, is to
Suindler be found the following ac-
count of this kind Of activ-
fly:
1.-THE William Dorothy who was commit
ted to Jail Friday night for obtaining money
under decidedly false pretenses is something
of a genius in his way. His mode of finan-
ciering was to enter a store and present
ing couple Of half dollars to beg the favor
lar: this done. he would instantly return a
three-eent piece and ask rather Indignantly:
DO you cali this a gold dollar? and In sew
eral instances tho persons to whom he APP
pIleQ, IiliHklHS lHPy sHdu reilly given UlIH d
three-cent piece by mistake, would hand
him over a second gold dollar At the res
taurants he threw down dollar and would
ask for drink and when his change was
given him he aiIroitly concealed a portion
of 1t and complained that he had not re-
ceived the right change. This trick at
tempted at the American Hotel procured
him prompt a posteriori election. He
was finally arrested by Officer Busher at
Bien's clothing store. When taken to the
watch house he made another display of his
powers by acting the drunkard in manner
almost surpassing Burtons great effort as
Timothy Toodles.' Finding this would not
deceive Capt. Burch, who commenced
searching him ard found quantities of gold
he suddenly assumed the pathetic. and with
infinite pathos bewailed his condition. being
an orphan and having earned his money
by hard labor paying three cents on the
lookout for this class Of gentry, who no
doubt make Washington their headquarters
just now.
In the Georgetown correspondence printed
in The Star of December 20. 1855. occurs
the following paragraph
Oak Hill showing the beginnings of a
Cemeterv. notable improvement in that
part of the District: .s1
Probably no spot in the District has I'M
dergone in so short time a more complete
metamorphosis than that now known as
Oak Hill cemetery. But few years ago
there was nothing about 1t at all attractive
save and except the heavy growth of trees
which covered every part of 1t, and which
furnished during the summer months a
cooling shade under which weary denizens
of the city might refresh themselves for a
while; or Sabbath schools and other parties
assemble to celebrate the Fourth of July
and other public days. But now, how
changed! Where once rude nature held
undisputed dominion, by the hand Of indus
try, guided by the skillfui direction of the
chief engineer. Capt. De la Roche, and the
judicious superintendent, Mr.. Blundon, the
defilss that once wound their way among
the hills have been arched and filled in;
the steep declivities upon either side skill
fully graded and converted into enticing
walks and beautiful slopes. for vaults or
grave lots, and where once naught but
rocky barrenness was to be found now the
evergreen and almost every species Of or
namental shrubbery may be found in great
profuslon. to attract and calm the eye.
Nature seems to have designed this spot
for great resting place for the departed"
Those were bloomer days fifty years ago.
and in The Star of December 81. 1856. there
was long letter to the
A Freak editor signed sally Sun
NJ Fashion flower" In the course of
which the fair correspond
emit described a spectacle which startled her
on the streets of Washington a few days
previous. She said:
II saw all the boys stop playing handy
and I knew something worth while must
be on foot, for have been here long
enough to find out that when don't want
to miss sight Of any sort I must look
when the boys look. And then some for
lorn, don't care-looFSing fellows who were
driving old horses with loads of wood. they.
too, suddenly seemed to think it worth
while to turn their eyes, and letting the
horses jog on as they pleased. stopped stock
still and stared: and maids going in a hurry
with buckets to the pump. they stopped;
and little urchfns stood on all the corners
of the streets and shouted and wondered;
and here was my puzzle began to tell
you about; first ! thought 1t was nothing
but two men walking along, and couldn't
see anything to stare at In that; but when
looked again, said: No. It amt two
though 1t had on something like mans
hat only 1t had strings to it, maybe, says
I, he has heard of Washington winds.
Well. then IT had on something like an
old-time surtout. only not quite; and real
pantaloons and boots; and kept step like a