Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-08
PLANS FOR BANQUET
Oldest Inhabitants Association
Appoints a Committee.
DEC. I SELECTED AS DATE
Members Indulge in "reminiscences of
Early Washington.
ARTICLES PLACED IN ARCHIVES
Arrangements Being Made for Pres
ervation Of Valuable Documents
Routine Business Transacted.

The Oldest Inhabitants Association of the
District Of Columbia met at the Corcoran
building last evening, with a large number
present. The secretary. Mr.. B. w. Reiss,
stated that the president. Mr.. Allison Naior.
was i'll and Mr.. 8. T. Brown, former pres
tdent, was called upon to preside. The
death of Mr.. S. F. D. Ourand, the 14th ul-
timo. was announced.
The secretary explained the genealogical
cards which will be mailed to members to
fill out and prepare for the archives. Messrs.
H. A. and H. K. Willard. father and son,
and J. D. Entwisle were proposed for men,
bership. Mr.. Reiss read from a government
document a notice of the association.
The proposition for celebrating the forty
first anniversary of the association by a
banquet, December I. was adopted and
committee of arrangements was announced
as follows: Crosby s. Noyes. VIM: r.
Smith. Andrew w. Kelley. Edward F.
Ben. w. Reiss. A. H. Raglan. Louis p Sci
bold. T. Edward Clark and Thomas w.
Smith,
Mr.. T. v. Noonan reported that he had
visited Rudolph Eichorn, who Is eighty-six
years DID, and Henry NJ. Dillinger, aged
eighty-four, both of whom, while slightly
fnfirm, enjoyed the visit. Mr.. H. v. Cotton
spoke of visit he had made to w. w.
had expressed his appreciation of the visits
of members.
Mr.. Noonan read from The Star of Octo-
Der % an article which spoke of the boom
In Georgetown fifty years ago and spoke of
the scenes at the time. The canal boats
were busy, 1t was stated vessels We're TAX
ing on and discharging cargoes. big wagons
from as far as Cumberland and from Wash
ington county, Pa. as well as Virginia, were
observed. He also gave account of a
barbecue at Laurel. in which a famous can
non, known as the baby walker" figured,
and stated that 1t is now on the lawn at the
late Frank Hume's residence He noticed
that in the late campaign Mr.. George M.
Smith had promised dry dock to Bladens-
burg If he were elected to Congress, which
reminded him that he had heard of large
vessels having been taken to that point.
Mr.. B. c. Wright recalled that he had
gone up to the wharf there In a two-masted
vessel, and there is no doubt that once the
port of Bladensburg was of Importance.
Placed in the Archives.
Mr.. H. V. Cotton, holding a diminutive
package in his hand. stated that Mr.. Jerry
M. Wilbur of Sligo. Nd. neighbor Of Mr.
c. s. Noyes, desired that 1t be placed in the
archives Of the association. When the con-
tents were disclosed they excited much in
terest. Elliott's Pocket Almanacs for 1925
and 1927 and Congressional Directories for
1928, 1881 and 1888 made up the package
Mr.. Cotton spoke of their value. $25 having
been offered to him. A vote of thanks was
given both Mr.. Wilbur and Mr.. Cotton
Mr.. Daniel Genau presented a picture Of
Betsy Ross making the first American flag
which was received with thanks.
Mr.. 7. E. Clark. referring to the many
valuable books and papers in the room, said
that IL lost by fire or otherwise many could
not be replaced, and moved that the COM
mittee on archives be enlarged and investi-
gate and report upon securing fire and bur-
Qlar-DrOOf protection. A suggestion
made that the Washington Library was
the proper place, and the discussion was
ended by the adoption of a motion to
enlarge the committee. To the old COM
mittee A. H. Raglan. B. w. Reiss and J. T.
Howard, Messrs. T. W. Smith and r. G.
Calvert were added.
First Thanksgiving Day Observed.
Mr.. Ragan said the President of the United
States had recently issued his proclamation,
setting apart day for thanksgiving, and
1t was stated that the first Thanksgiving
day in the District was observed in COM
pliance with resolution Of the city coun-
cils as follows:
Joint resolution requesting the mayor to
set apart day Of Thanksgiving.
Whereas we approve the custom of set
ting apart a day of general Thanksgiving
and praise to the Creator of the universe
In the course OF the autumn of each year,
full and plenty overfoweth In the land;
'And whereas the governor of the state
OF Maryland, OF which this city was
once a part. has issued his proclamation
setting apart day in that state to be o.
served as day of Thanksgiving: Therefore
Resolved by the board of aldermen and
board Of common council of the city of
Washington, That the mayor of this city
be. and he Is hereby, respectfully requested
to issue his proclamation setting apart