Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-16
How the Occasion Was Celebrated
Years Ago.
BANoUETs AND SPEC
Government Ground Converted Into
Park and Named After
Him About 1880.

Tomorrow. the 18th instant, is the
| date OF the birth OF Franklin, the patriot,
| printer, philosopher and philanthrophist
| who was In fact. such an all around
| character as has seldom if ever been
equaled. his name and works forming
many pages in the history of the nation
and the world.
Probably no name in history, save the
| name of Washington. has been so ex-
| tensively honored throughout the nation
as that of Franklin. Hundreds of coun-
ties, cities, and towns bear his name, to
say nothing Of the myriad of associa-
| lions. companies lodges, clubs, schools.
Iyceums. hotels and fraternal. social and
business organizations. Immediately at
ter the war of 1872 q frigate of seventy
four guns, built at Philadelphia, was
given his name and by it was his fame
made known IN the uttermost parts Of
the earth. Since then. in the naval
annals of the country, his name has been
perpetuated b. other vessels.
Day Honored in This City.
Though the day has never been made
national holiday here in Washington. II
has been more or less honored lie mas
been regarded as the father Of American
printers, and the old Columbia Typo
prapbical Society, organized in 1915, al
ways honored him. The day falling IN
congressional season and the newspapers
being published In the morning-sundas
papers being unknOwn-the most con-
verient time for observance OF the day
was Saturday, and then usually
banquet was given at some or the NO.
tells or taverns. These were ver1taoie
feast Of reason and flow OF soul, and
,nsntl v atfanda6 nTtnfHIS
had found their way into Congress, ana
there was no Jack of native talent. Among
the prominent members OF the early Gays
were Col. Peter Force, who afterward
compiled that valuable work, Inc
American State Papers: Luther Sever
ance, afterward editor of the kennebec
(Maine) Journal and later a member or
Congress: Col. John s. Gallagher. VINO
was in the service In the war OF 1S!2,
later the editor and publisher of the
Charles Town Cvirginia) Free Press. and
the third auditor of the Treasury during
the Taylor and Fillmore administra-
tions: William Duncan. judah Delano,
Arthur Rothwell, S. c. Ustick. Francis
ner. George Cochran. Lambert Tree,
James A. Kennedy. Andrew Tate, James
Clephane and others.
In 1918 a fire insurance company. recos-
nizing the fact that Franklin organized
such an association in Philadelphia in
1873, was Incorporated under his name
and began the business in which it is yet
engaged here.
About this time the tavern of Billy
O'Neale, at the corner of 2lst and I
streets became famous as the Franklin
Hotel and later it was continued by John
Gadsby. The host, O'Neale, resided there
with his family, in which was his daugh-
ter Peggy, who married Gen. Eaton, the
Secretary of War under Jackson. 1t was
a fashionable house and became the head
quarters of southern members of Con-
gress, and during the visit of Lafayette
to this country a banquet was given him
there.
The fire company of the second ward,
which succeeded the Albert fire company
in 1897, took his name in recognition
Of his organizing such company
in Philadelphia. and retained it during
the life of the old volunteers down
to 1864. This company seldom allowed the
anniversary to pass without browning it
with ball at night. and with such per-
sons as John e. Rives, afterward public
printer: McClintOck Young of the Treasury
and Mai. Robert Coltman at the head of
the management. they were popular af-
fairs bringing out the fire fighters and the
ladies' from all sections of the District.
In the early days. Carusis saloon. corner
of 18th and c streets. was the scene OF
these balls. After 1S45. however, Jack
son Hall had been erected on the Ave-
nue. between Sd and Az streets ana the
balls were held there