Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-04-14
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

IN lu0 NXAU
With the exposition commemorative OF
the 3OOth anniversary of the settlement OF
jamestown soon to open,
jamastown interest attaches to the
A,, following paragraph In
The Star of April IL,
1857:
The jamestown Society of Washington
has In contemplation the celebration of
the 250th anniversary Of jamestown upon
:he site of that town on Wednesday, 18th
of May next. The society has, through
its president, P. r. Fendall. esq, invited
ex-President Tyler to be Its guest and to
deliver an grafton on that occasion. An
nexed is copy of his letter of acceptance:
SHERWOOD FOREST. April 2, 1857.
My Dear Sir: Your letter of the 9th
of March informing me that the James
town Society of Washington propose to
celebrate on the 18th of May next and on
the site of jamestown the anniversary OF
the landing of the settlers and requesting
me. on behalf of the society, to deliver an
address upon that occasion, reached me on
Wednesday, and. while 1 greatly -distrust
my ability to acquit myself satisfactorily
of the task. yet. considering the circum-
stances and the occasion will not decline
to undertake 1t. Be pleased to make known
10 the society my hlSn appreciation Oh the
compliment which they have. second time.
bestowed upon me. and accept for your
self my cordial salutatlons and assurances
of high esteem. l am, sir. truly and faith
JOHN TYLER ="
Congress having adjourned, the work of
completing the Capitol building, which was
necessarily somewhat i'm
Canitol peded by the business Of the
n.,.- session. went forward brisk
ly. In The Star Of April IL,
1857, is the following news account Of the
operations:
The new wings of the Capitol are pro-
crossing toward completion under the
active superintendent of Capt Meigs. The
work of the interior of the new houses of
Congress is so far advanced as to admit
of the putting up of the fronts of the gal
leries. which are composed of ironwork.
tastefully ornamented. The ceilings Of both
houses will be completed in two montus
and will surpass in design and finish every
thing OF the kind in the country. The
founda tons of the corridors to connect the
two wings with the main building are
being laid. The new dome begins to go up.
The large brackets of an immense weight,
designed to form the base of the dome,
are already on the ground and in a few
OaSS we SuaH see the Tall Columns OF tUc
first division Of the structure pointing up
ward. and the anxiety of the public to see
how the new dome is going to look Will
be to a great extent relieved. A larger
about the works than there ever has been
since its commencement. and the vicinity
presents to the eye the animated spectacle
of huge workshop"
Half century ago few travellers from
this part of the world went to Asia and
there was great curiosity re-
Slams garding that part of the
o:e4 world. In The Star of April
L. 1857, is an article re-
printed from the Union. another local news
paper. which described certain gifts that
had been sent to the United States by the
joint monarchs OF Siam. then a compare
lively little known corner:
We were this morning permitted to in
spect. at the State Department, curious
collection of presents just received from
Bangkok. in Siam. from the two kings who
reign OYER that country. Among these
inter. ting specimens of the llandiwork of
the Intelligent Siamese we especially no.
ticed a solid gold snuff box weighing up
ward of five ounces, quantity ornamented
In colored enameis long pipe. with tiny
bowl richly ornamented with enameled
gold. for smoking opium; pair of shears
tmade something like those in general use
in this country for shearing Sheep for trim
ming the beard; a sword. of exquisite
temper. with scabbard made from a
single piece of lancewood by some process
of mortising that few American workmep
could equal; musical instrument re-
sembling a hageolet two 'tom-toms.' or
drums, each made from a single piece of
wood about two feet in length and ten
inches in diameter. with strips of cane in
stead of cords, and giving clear, distinct
note when beaten: spears, fishing tackle,
etc, etc. We learn that this interesting
collection will be deposited in the museum
at the Patent Office and recommend the
curious in oriental affairs to inspect Them"
When railroads began to cross the coun-
try in all directions many old-fas hioned
people expressed the fear
Electric that disaster was certain to
result from the exposure of
so much metal to the action
of the elements. In The Star of April 16,
1857. is found expression of this ap-
prehension in the following language:
The clerk of the weather in these latter
days is occasionally referred to by the
press as out of sorts; it has occurred to us
that the apparent difference may be ac-
counted for by the millions of pounds of
iron connected in lines for railroads of
immense length extending over vast tracts
of country in various directions, and act
ing conductors of electricity, either in
concentrating or distributing, in some
way influencing its currents. If some of
out savants, who understand what these
iron rails following the surface will come
in contact with and influence, will give us
their opinion simply-yea or Ray-as to the
power possessed by iron (under such cir
cumstances) to influence the weather, we
shall feel much obliged
The same idea has been expressed in
later years with regard to the possible eff
feet of the network of electric wires that
now criss-cross over the states, but al
though many theories have been advanced
science has not yet fully and satisfactorily
answered the question put by The Star
fifty years ago.
THE 1000, 900 PLOT.