Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-02

For Many Years Proprietor of Book
Store.
IDENTIFIED WITH CITY AFFAIRS
Member of the Oldest Inhabitants
Observation-Disclosures Will
Attend Funeral

The death of James A. Wineberger. q
lifetime resident of the District of Column
bia, occurred yesterday at his residence,
713 23d street northwest. after compare
lively short illness. His age was given as
etghty-five years. OF late Mr.. Wineberger
had been somewhat of a recluse, and had
devoted himself to the study of works in
his library with the view of publishing "a
history of early Washington.
He was honored officer and member
of the Oldest Inhabitants Association, and
that society WILL It is said, attend the
funeral, which is announced to take place
at o'clock Sunday afternoon from the
chapel of j. William Lee, 332 Pennsylvania
avenue northwest.
OF late he had resided at his 23d street
home with a maiden sister, who survives
him. Deceased was man of many good
qualities and was popular among those
VINO knew him best and understood his
Kindly motives. For one of his years he
was remarkably active, and had been de-
scribed as 'one OF the youngest old men in
this city"
One Of the Oldest Residents.
James A. Wineberger was one of the OLD
est -.-n.oitdnts of the District In fact, hay-
ing been born here nearly century ago.
He was also one of the veteran members of
the Oldest Inhabitants Association, and
for many years had been it's marshal The
statement was made today that the original
suggestion that a society of the venerable
citizens of the District be formed came from
Mr. Wineberger, although the project was
not carried into effect and the association
formed until some years later
Mr.. Wineberger was a great student Of
Old Washington" he was wont to af-
fectionately refer to the capital city of the
long ago For long time he assiduously
eoliected data relating to the olden time in
washington, and there is stored at his late
nome. Il3 23d street northwest. what he
has frequently declared is the best accumu-
iation OF Washingtoniana extant.
RMS collection embraces ge-yelow ed
ana musty old volumes pamphlets and
documents. and they occupy two rooms of
space at the Wineberger home on 23d
street.
Wineberger Collection.
All the early projects for the improve
ment and extension of the city are treated
In the Wineberger collecseon; also buildings
and features of early Washington which
are now extinct. There are also histories
of former Washingtonians of note and
prominent events of long ago in his Yalua-
bic collection. The late DR.. Toner FREE
quently visited Mr.. Wineberger, who of
late led the life of recluse, and offered to
purchase from him some of the rare and
valuable volumes in his possession, but the
venerable man invariably declined to sell
any part of his washingtoniana which he
priced SO highly
q In order to facilitate The collection of
works and manuscripts bearing on oiu
Washington, Mr.. Wineberger established
several secondhand book stores here dur
ing the past fifteen years, and in this way
secured some valuable additions to his
library. Several weeks ago he furnished
The Sunday Star with interesting ar
tcle on the old Round Tops" quaint build
ings that were located in West Washington
many years ago when this city was little
more than a struggling village. The data
for this article was gotten by him from
his collection. He drew a sketch of the
ancient structures from his memory of
them, which was also printed in The Star.
While a Star reporter was at his home he
took the keenest pleasure in showing some
of his ancient and rare volumes and papers.
On several of the books were little labels
which read: This book can neither be
borrowed nor bought"
Once Proprietor of Book Store.
Mr.. Wineberger was for many years the
proprietor of the Ebbitt House bookstore, at
that time one of the largest establishments
of the kind in the District. While conduct
ing this business he published the work
known as Social Life in Washington" by
Mrs Grundy, and the work ran through
several editions. For many years his
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