Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-14

tent, congratulated the membership on the
outcome of the fete, which had been In
progress more than a week.
The history Of the organization was given
by Mr.. John A. Mitchell of the geological
survey, one of the younger members. He
prefaced his remarks by stating that he
was proud to be member of such an AN
cient and honorable organization, whose OBJ
ject Is the uplifting of fallen humanity and
the frightening of darkened homes"
''Old Eagle Tent of Rechabites,' he said,
has won a reputation throughout the
southeastern section of Washington and in
other sections of this beautiful city for its
grand work. 1t Is the oldest temperance
body in the District of Columbia, and as 1t
grows older, though younger in activity, the
prospects are, after fifty-seven years of &C
tive work, that 1t will continue to grow in
size and in influence, which means increas-
ing energy, and an increase in the amount
of good to be done. The weekly meetings
are conducted as they were f1fty-seven
years ago, although all the charter mem
bers have long since passed away.
The Oldest Members.
1.-The old members who now remain are:
William B. Marche admitted in 1857, and
John r. Mahoney and Peter ]. Cooksey, ad-
mitted in 1856. These three members are
still active in the temperance work.
Besides being the oldest temperance So
ciety in the District of Columbia, Eagle
Tent also can be proud of being the oldest
tent of Rechabites in the United States
THE order of Rechabites was organized
in Stafford, England, in the year 1885. A
party of total abstainers united for the pur-
pose of forming friendly society These
are quite numerous throughout England.
Being for temperance, they had consider
able difficulty in choosing an appropriate
name and finally hit upon the one now so
popular under peculiar circumstances. One
of the party named Turner, who was a
glider by trade. while working at his chosen
profession removing some waste paper from
a gold leaf, discovered 1t to be pages from
the Bible and started to read. 1t was the
thirty-ffth chapter of jeremiah. wherein is
the history of the old Rechabites, who
drank no wine, and this prompted the
founding of the order of Rechabites, who
drink no wine or strong drink.
elm 1871 the order was instituted in this
country. The first tent founded was George
Washington Tent of New York city, which
prospered for nearly twenty years. At this
time the tent discontinued to take in new
members and inside of couple of years
the membership decreased to about ten.
when they sold their lease, divided the for
tune they had accumula ted and disbanded.
First Tent in Washington.
Eagle Tent was organized in 1S49 in one
of the lodge rooms of old Odd Fellows
Hall, 7th and G streets southeast. At the
outbreak of the war Of the rebellion the
members were driven from this abode, as
Is was converted into hospital. They
then took refuge in the upper story of old
Anacostia engine house, Virginia avenue
and 9th streets southeast. They continued
their good work, although the crcum-
stances were not the best, and on account
of there being no gas available they were
compelled to carry on the meetings by the
light of candles.
Shortly after this volunteer soldier
company was organized from among the
members, and for quite while there were
such a few in attendance that the tent prac-
tically disbanded until the close of the war.
When peace was restored the tent reorgan-
lied under the title of Eagle Tent, No. 2.
Only about one-third of the original charter
members returned, for most of them had
persisted while fighting for their country.
THE tent continued to increase in num-
bers until it reached the 200 mark. Since
then many changes have taken place, the
old members, all but the three before men
toned, have passed away, new tents have
sprung up and young vigor has taken place
of the old.
AT the close of this fete a campaign
will be arranged for the autumn months,
when Chief Ruler Geo. A. Root expects
the tent to increase to double the number
of members it now contains. The money
earned at the lawn fete will be used as a
campaign fund"
Prize Winners.
The prize winners announced last night
were: Josephine Taggair, chair; Ernest
Warren, watch; Violet Ihrie, ring; Bolton
Fleming, watch; Mr.. Marche, two razors;
John Gallagher, watch; Mrs. Netherton,
watch; Joseph Thompson, pin; DR.. Barnes.
pin; Elsie Wall, hat pin; Ray Mills. watch;
Joe Hantzman, razor; Leona Callan,
bracket; Frank Painter, bracket; John A.
Mitchell min. John Mahonev two Minis
E. r. Shoemaker, ring.
The program last night was as follows:
Solo and dance, Miss Margaret Elwood
solo and dance, Miss Leona Callan; solo
and dance, Miss Harriet Pruit; Negro
Loves His 'Possum," Master Joseph Fitz-
gerald; solo and dance, Miss Frances Fitz-
gerald; Highland Fling, Leona Callan and
Margaret Elwood; monologue and song
speciality, Mr.. Frank NJ Painter.
Slaa.,