Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-19
WE'D HALF CENTURY
Rev. DR.. Laws and Wife OBJ
serve Anniversary
AT @ STREET RESIDENCE
Noted Theologian, Scholar and Sci.
enlist Was Born in Virginia
Nearly Eighty-Six Years Ago.

Rev. DR.. S. 8. Laws. theologian, scholar
and scientist, and Mrs. Laws are cele-
orating their f1ftieth wedding anniversary
this afternoon and evening at their resi-
dence, No. 1893 @ street northwest. The
parlors were decorated with greens and
cut flowers and presented an attractive
appearance at 3 o'clock. when the recep-
ton began. The affair will be concluded
this evening at 10 o'clock The list Of
those receiving included. besides DR.. and
Mrs Laws, Mrs. Davidson of Falls
Church. Va: Mrs. j. w. Spencer Miss
Wills and Miss Lucille Wilkinson.
DR.. Laws was born in Virginia nearly
eighfy-six years ago and is in robust
health. His family moved to Ohio while
ne was still a child. Subsequently he
graduated at Miami University, which
was then the leading state college OF the
west. DR.. Laws afterward studied in the
t1eoIog1cal school at Princeton. and grad
uated at the head of his class, as he had
already done In his college course He then
accepted pastorate In st Louis. hut
shortly afterward. in 1854. was appointed
professor of physical science in the Wes,
minister College. which was then the lead
ing Presbyterian school OF learning IN
Missouri. Then he drfted from clerical
TO professional pursuits in the domain Of
science. The following year he became
president Of the college, and owing to his
institution. Here. in 1880. he married
Anna, daughter Of William Rrockwell. a
prominent citizen OF Fulton. Mo.
Locked Up for His Views.
Upon the opening Of the hostilities Of
tho civil war DR.. Laws believed in the
constitutional rights OF the states. and
although he took no active part. he was
confined for his views in the "Gratiot
Street Hotel as he rsed to speak of the
Medical College building in st. Louis,
which was used as a military prison for
Confederate officers.
After few months he was paro1led
and went to France. remaining for nearly
a year. He would sometimes tell how
this trip cost him only thirty cents. But
this economy was not at the expense of
the government. for on leaving he bought
gold at about per cent premium, and
on his return the unexpended balance
was exchanged for greenbacks. which
were then at a discount Of about 81,
and the difference in exchange repre-
scented the expenditure of only thirty
cents.
His life work was disorganized. and
here begins the remarkable story. He
became vice president In charge of the
gold exchange. which was branch Of
tne STOCK exchange In New YORK.
Devised Stock Indicator.
In the clamor for exchange prices he
devised an indicator go that the quota
tions could be seen on the outside OF the
exchange. Then he conceived the idea of
transmitting the reports to the Offices by
electricity. and this resulted in his being
the sole inventor Of the ticker which
created the business of quotation by cleo
tricfty OF market quotations. although the
instrument has since been improved.
The history Of the invention Is a long
story. but he was alone in the enter
prise which soon met with improve
ments. Frank Pope was Mr.. Laws first
superintendent Of the works and Thoma :
| Edison was A visitor of Mr.. Pope. whom
Laws found a most efficient man. Sub
sequently. on Popes resignation. and
through the acquaintance formed, DIR.