Evening star., 1908-01-12
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

xXv 4Xo ~ AAAS
Half a century ago Indian visitors were
not so common in Washington as they
have been in late years
Visiting and the delegations of them
,l: that came here before the
war were objects Of great
curiosity. In The Star of January 6. 1883
is a story of such an invasion OF the
capital.
ION Monday morning about twenty OF
the Indian chiefs and warriors now In
the city visited the Smithsonian 1nstitu-
tion and We're conducted through the
various departments. where they evinced
their surprise and delight after their
wild fashion. In the picture gallery
(Stanley's Indian paintings) they were
particularly interested by the representa-
ton of a war dance around two captives-
a woman and child They were much
disappointed at not finding portraits of
any of their own tribes in the gallery. In
the apparatus room number of them
were induced to join hands and severe
galvanic shock was given them. Some
of them gave vent to the significant
ugh indicating their surprise, and
turned fiercely about to discover the per-
son they supposed had struck them; 9TH
ers rubbed their arms. and from the gen.
eral talk in their own language one would
suppose they had entered upon scientific
discussion OF the singular manifestation
Afterward several of them took shocks
singly, and 1t was curious to witness the
grim determination with which these sto-
ics of the wilderness undertook to assume
that air of impassiveness which tradition
asserts they maintain when undergoing
torture as captives. But it was no go;
they had to knucke to science, and as
one after the other of the astonished
braves was doubled up, tumbled on his
knees and knocked into heap generally
by the powerful battery he was saluted
by most uproarious jeers and laughter by
his fellows.
Some of the party mounted the high
north tower of the institute, but at the
top only one of them could be prevailed
upon to approach the edge and look down
the dizzy height. most of them squatting
down soon as they reached the sum-
nit. One of them was observed placing
small pieces of tobacco on the parapet
The interpreter explained that this was
intended as an offering to the Great Spirit.
as the Indians believed that at this height
they were nearer the Deity than they
improved the opportunity to pay their
worship. On descending the Indians had
grand war dance, with singing, in the
lecture room"
Washington began the New Year, al
most, with new theater. Since the burn
ing of the National, more
Ineater than year before, the 10
onanad cal patrons of the drama
had been without place
of entertainment. Carusi's Hall. at the
northeast corner of 18th and C streets
northwest, had been transformed into a
playhouse. which, after a couple of post
ponements, was opened January 6. 1853.
under the business management of Mr..
W. Stuart. formerly of Wallack's theaSer,
New York. and the stage direction Of Mr..
Dion Boucicault. The scale of prices
ranged thus: Dress circle and parquet. 80
cents; orchestra stalls. 81; private boxes.
81. The Star of January Z says of the
opening:
The pretty new Washington theater
was auspiciously dedicated last night with
fine audience and sprightly. well-run-on
performances. The house is comfortable,
we'll adapted to seeing and hearing, and
is not SO over large but that everybody is
within a companionable distance. Our
impression OF the company (vaudeyille) as
derived from the performances Of last
night is that 1t Is of more than average
merit. and. with well-selected pieces, we
are sure it will do good mission in rails
ing the spirits and vivifying the livers of
our just now rather solemn and bilious
looking community. In fact. some such
entertaining. care-smoothing institution
as theater has been sadly wanted here
and will be apt to be amply visited night
ly" .
Just half a century ago the Territory of
Arizona was proposed. in confident ex-
pectation that 1t would
Arizona shortly grow to statehood
r.:. size and be entitled to ad-
mission. According to an
article in The Star of January Z. 1858.
memoir of the proposed territory had been
prepared by Lieut. Mowry. delegate-elect
to Congress from Arizona. The Stars
account of the document proceeds:
1.-THE statistics, with regard to the min
eral wealth of Arizona especially In
silver. must attract extensive notice.
Lieut.. Mowry shows that the early state
ments of the Spanish population. as well
as the predictions of Humboldt and Ward
are more than fulfilled by the discoveries
of the past two years. The population of
Arizona is about 5000. and Is rapidly In
creasing. The tide of emigration, which
yearly sets toward the Pacific, will be
greatly augmented by the disasters in the
commercial world in 1857. This emigra-
ton must pass through Arizona, as the
great route through the South Pass is
closed by the Mormon war. Under the
liberal inducements offered to settlers by
the donation of mineral and agricultural
lands of Arizona. provided in the bill for
it's organization, a large population will
settle in the new territory and give us
at an early day a thriving and wealthy
state on our Mexican frontier
Although we have in these days numer-
Gus occasions of national celebration,
there is at least one gala
Jackson's day, formerly celebrated in
the United States, but
SieloiS. never marked in modern
times with its former emphasis. In The
Star of January g. 1853, is the following
news item illustrating the patriotic senti-
ment which was then evoked by the men,
ory of Andrew Jackson's victory at New
Orleans:
This day being the anniversary Of the
ever glorious battle of New Orleans.
neither house of Congress will meet All
the banners OF the city are 'on the outer
walls. and the democrats especially are
having a high time ont. Tonight the
Association comes off at the Philharmonic
Hall, adjoining The Star office, where
besides a feast for the appetite. an ample
one for the mind will be spread before