The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-11-02
NEWS OF THE DAY
 IN SOCIETY WORLD. Gossip of People Here and
 Elsewhere NOTES HERE AND THERE The Little Jokers' Membership-The Social Side to Presidents Visit Anticipated by Birmingham
 Women-PersonaI Notes.
NOTES HERE AND THERE
BY MYRTLE MILES.

especial importance. Many people do not know of the custom which has lasted through the administration of many Pres idents of attendance upon one church in Washington, where pew has re- ceiyed the title the Presidents pew" This Is St. Johns Episcopal church, on the opposite side of Lafayette park from the executive mansion.
 When Mrs. Taft returned from Beverly about ten days ago her first public ap pearance was at St. Johns church, which she attends regularly. She was accom- panied by her sister, Mrs. More, tie wife of Prof. Louis More. President Taft has attended the church only once during his administration-last Easter Sunday. He goes to All Souls Unitarian church when in Washington.
 The aristocratic location and assoca- tions of St. Johns church lend an in- terest to the old structure such as Is felt in few churches in America. Its pillared portico and succeed walls have sheltered many men who were mighty in arms or in council and families which have been closely identified with the his- tory of the nation. It's quaint, old-fash- toned design and it's ivy-covered walls indicate its age. The movement for it's erection was begun in 1914. but the call to arms to resist the threatened attack on the capital caused it's plans to be tenn porarily dropped and not until 1915 was the contract for the erection of the church entered into. When 1t was completed a committee waited upon President Madison and offered him his choice of pew In the church free of purchase. He, how ever, requested the committee to make the selection, which was done. Thus, in 1S19 the vestry resolved that the pew set apart for the use of the President of the United States should be for the family of the President and not charge able with rent. While President Madison was the first occupant. line of presiden- tial occupants followed the continuity of which was not broken until Lincoln's time. Although a Methodist, President Jackson occupied regularly this noted pew as did MT. Van Buren and President Har- rison attended each Sunday during his short service. President Taylor, who was inaugurated in 1S49, and Vice President Fillmore, who succeeded him, were all regular attendants. After President Buch- anan, however, no other President be- came connected with the church until after the death of President Garfield. Since then the occupants of the presi- dential pew are well known.
 The pew is quite near the center of the church. Though it was set apart rent free it's occupants have, without excep- ton, insisted upon paying the annual rental The old church has, through its associations, become one of the inter esting landmarks about Washington, and there is much pleasant history to be told by the older members relative to the families of the presidents. There is the tradition of the prim little granddaughter of President Adams, who was required to present to him every Monday morning a summary of the discourse, and who found that he detected the least omission. Many sightseers in the capital city have visited the church often in the hope of seeing the presidential family.
 THE LITTLE JOkERS.
 Birminghams oldest card club, the Lit tie Jokers, will hold It's initial meeting for the year this morning at the Hotel Hillman. when a business session will be held to be followed Thursday by the regular meeting with Mrs. Porter Walker as hostess.
 The membership of the Little Jokers includes Mrs. Alex Birch, Mrs. Eugene Brown, Mrs. John Caldwell, Mrs. Porter Walker, Mrs. Henry Gray, Mrs. Leslie Fulenwider, Mrs. Webb Crawford, Mrs. Frank Fowlkes, Mrs. Dan Smith, Mrs. Will Huey, Mrs. B. F. Moore, Mrs. Wal ter Phillips, Mrs. Hubert Drennen, Mrs. John L. Raul, Ms Emma Leedy, Miss Helen VanP e. Miss Fannie Dunn, Miss Mar Weatherly, Miss Belle De- Bard~ :. Miss Louise Walker and Miss Su leicester.
 ANNOUNCEMENTS.
 Mrs. Priestly Toulmins afternoon re- ception for Mrs Herbert Tutwiler will be an event of November IT.
 
 Mrs. Algernon Smith will be the hostess Thursday at an informal aft ernoon tea in compliment to Mrs. Henry R. Howze. There will be no receiving party, as the affair will be small and very quiet. The hour Is to o'clock.
 Miss Sara Mallam will open her studio Thursday afternoon when Miss Edna Smith will hold her annual ex- hibition across the hall in the Watts building. The addition of Miss Nal lam's hospitality and that of Mrs. Raul ston, who has also announced that her studio will be open, promised an after noon of rare pleasure to those of the artistic cult who will enjoy cup of tea or glass of punch in the various studios.
 The social side of President Taft's visit is eagerly anticipated by the fem mine contingent In Birmingham. many of whom look forward to the social Purity at Parker's"