Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-27
EIGHTIETH MILE STONE
Anniversary OF THE BIRTH OF
A. s. soLoMoNs.
Friends Throng His Home to Extend
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Tokens
Of Remembrance. :.

All day yesterday the picturesque home Of
Mr.. Adolphus Simeon Soaomons, 1905 K
street northwest, was a sort Of shrine to
which numbers OF his friends made pilgrim
ages to pay their respects to him. q popular
Washingtonfan who had reached the eight
ieth milestone on his Journey of life. There
was a scene Of hustle and happiness inside
the colonial home as the visitors came, ex-
tended their feitcitat1ons to tho genital host
and departed with warm handshakes and
best wishes for the future. with artistic
touch the florist had converted the interior
Of the gladstone home into q veritable eden
spot. With palms and other growths from
the tropics. fragrant flowers and autumn
leaves In bright red and yellow, and the
duller shades OF brown, the place was like
pretty flower garden in the bright June
time.
Then there were delicate ferns and cut
flowers banked upon the mantels, and a
basket Of white chrysanthemums and
American beauty roses, one Of the many
remembrances OF his friends. added greatly
to the decorations. table in the center
of the room held q number Of gifts, includ-
ing loving cup, and q tall vase, both from
close friends in New York.
Old-Time Family Diner.
Following the reception. which continued
until dusk in the evening, when the city 8
gas lamps and electric lights began to twin
kle. there was an old-time family dinner,
the table being set with fourteen covers. In
the center was magnificent birthday cake,
large Of size and tempting in appearance.
About the cake eighty candles fickered, one
for each of the useful years Mr.. Solomons
has lived. The mellow illumination from
the candles enhanced the picturesqueness
of the scene and cast their radiance upon
fourteen happy, smiling faces Of Mr.. Solo,
mons immediate family and one or two in
innate friends
The tokens of remembrance received by
the hale and hearty host included an en-
crossed and illustrated letter signed by a
number of his friends, many OF whom ne
has been associated with since becoming
resident Of Washington in 1860. In the
letter are cited the services performed
by Mr. Solomons for the District and ma
tional government during his long and use
full career.
The preamble Of the letter reads:
1--WE, few of the many friends you
have made during the course of your long
and honorable career, congratulate you on
the attainment Of the great age OF eighty
years. with all Of your faculties untmpa1red
and in the full enjoyment of your good
health. 1t can have fallen to the lot OF
few American Jews to have participated IN
SO many good causes. and your Weii-earned
repose must be sweetened by the memories
Of innumerable acts for the betterment OF
your fellow men,.
This was presented on behalf OF the dom
ors by DR.. Cyrus Adler Of the Smithsonian
Institute.
Native Of New York.
Mr.. A. S. Solomons was born in New York
eighty years ago. when Gotham was
struggling town compared to its present
vast proportions and large inhabitancy. He
married Miss Rachel Phillips. also of that
city. and removed to Washington In 1860,
and made his home in this city ever since.
The eight children of the family and sew
eral grandchildren were assembled at the
family home last evening. Mr.. SolomonS has
been identified with almost every organized
charity in the District. He was the founder
Of Garfield Memorial Hospital, and has for
years been a member of the boards OF d.
rectors of Columbia and Providence hospi-
tails He is also vice president of the Red
Cross Society. Among the many institutions
with which his name has also been associ-
ated in the District are the Training School
for Nurses and the Night Lodging House
for Men.
In days gone by Mr.. Solomons was a
member of the National Guard and mani
tested much interest in the citizen SOL
diery of the District. He was also the spe-
cial bearer of message to the Russian
government, having been appointed as ennis
sary on that important errand by Daniel
Webster, then Secretary of State. He was
one of the original incorporators of the Red
of the United States to the international
conference at Geneva in 1881. of which he
was elected vice president
Was Once Public Printer.
Mr.. Solomons served as public printer
during a portion Of the strenuous civil war
period and later was a member of the Dis
trict of Columbia house Of delegates.
About fifteen years ago. Mr.. Solomons
went to New York for short time, when
he was made general agent for the Baron
Hirsch fund established by wealthy phi
lanthropists for destitute Russians.
One Of Mr.. Solomon's noted local phflan-
thropies was his work in establishing the
municipal lodging house. now on 18th street.
next door to No. police station.
For many years his place Of business-the
book and stationery establishment of Phil
ip C Solomon. on Pennsylvania avenue be-
tween 9th and 10th streetS-was one of the
commercial landmarks Of Washington.
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