Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-31
photo by Harris & Ewing.)

n
Gibson and Gus kn"ess Harrison Ding
man. by virtue of being past imper!a
potentate of North America, will also be
one of the representatives to the lmperia
Council.
Previous to announcement of the result
of the election Potentate Fulkerson de-
livered a farewell address. Reports were
read showing the addition to the temple s
membership during the past year was
siXty-tWo by initiation and eleven by al
filiation.
The special committee appointed for the
purpose reported, recommending that no
change be made in the present method OF
Almas Temple in distributing its Christ
mas charity.
Career of New Potentate.
Louis Addison Dent. the new potentate
of Almas Temple, although a young man,
has made a splendid record in his brief
career.
Born in Baltimore. Nd. of distinguished
revolutionary stock. October g. 1862 after
an academic education, he started in life
as stenographer to Col. James G. Payne.
auditor of the District Supreme Court.
He resigned his position after two years
to become an examiner in chancery and
to begin the study of law with the firm
of Hanna & Johnson, where he remained
until 1855.
During this period he served as private
secretary to Representative r. r. Hit
and as stenographer to James G. Blaine,
during the latters preparation of his
book, Twenty Years of Congress" He
then went to Maine. where lie served a
year as official reporter of the Maine
house of representatives. Later he went
to the War Department. and afterward
became d bookkeeper in the cashroom of
the United States Treasury.
I Ri3ina'S
Mr.. Dent first became his stenographer
and later his private secretary, serving in
the latter capacity during three years of
Mr.. Blaine's term as Secretary of State.
During that time he twice inspected the
consular service in the West Indies and
Mexico and made a thorough tour of in
spection in Cuba.
When Mr.. Blaine retired from the
cabinet, Mr.. Dent became the private
secretary to John W. Foster and later
was made consul at Kingston, Jamaica.
During Mr.. Clevelands term Mr.. Dent
was engaged in literary work, but with
the advent of President Mckinley he
again became consul at Kingston.
His extensive knowledge of Cuba and
it's coasts and his intimate acquaintance
with officials in Jamaica and elsewhere
in the West Indies made him of espe-
cial value to the United States during
the Spanish American war in selecting
pilots for war vessels. securing special
facilities for them from the English gov
eminent and keeping the Department of
State advised from time to time of the
movements of the enemy. 1t was from
Mr.. Dent that the government first re-
ceived it's information as to the move
ment of the Spanish fleet
Praise From Administration.
When he resigned in 1899 to accent
the position of register of wills for the
District of Columbia. Secretary Hay, by
direction of the President. wrote Mr..
Dent:
1T gives me pleasure to express the
Presidents. my own and the DEPART
ments high appreciation of the efficiency
and zeal with which you have performed
your official duties. Especially do I de-
sire to commend the high intelligence
the unceasing vigilance and the untirine
energy with which you attended to the
interests of your country at a most i'm
portant post during the late war with
Spain"
Mr. Dent is now a practicing attorney
in this city. He was married in 1884 to
Miss Kate +. Yost. and has five children
He is Il member Of the MARYLAND His
torical Society. the strict Bar Associa-
ton, the Board of Trade and the Cham
Der of Commerce. He did active service
as member of the inaugural commit
tee In 1905, and is also member Of the
committee having in charge the inau-
guration of Mr. Taft.
Mr. Dent is one of the charter men,
berS and the secretary of Temple Lodge
No. 81. +. A. A. NJ. and a member of
Mount Vernon Royal Arch Chapter, No
3. and Washington Commandery No. l,
Knights Templar The news Of his cleo
unanimous vote was received with pleas
ure by the fraternity at large