The Washington times., 1911-01-06
FUNERAL TODAY OF
ALPHEUS DAWSON
Logan Post, G. A. R., Con-
ducts Services Over Well
Known Citizen.
WASHINGTON TIMES BUREAU.
ANACOSTIA, D, c., JAN. {

ANACOSTIA, D. c., JAN. 6.
Funeral services for Alpheus Davi
son, eighty-six years old, one of Ana
costia's oldest citizens, whose death oc'
Cured Wednesday night last, were held
this afternoon from his late residence
1852 TaIburtt street. The last rites
which were attended by many relatives
and friends of the aged man, were con.
Quoted under the auspices of John A
Logan Post, No. 13, Grand Army of the
Republic, and Salem Lodge, No. %, In
dependent Order of Odd Fellows, in both
of which organizations Mr.. Dawson held
active membership. The funeral serv-
Ices were conducted by the Rev. Hugh
T. Stevenson, pastor of Bethany Bap-
tist Church, Washington, former pas
tor of the Baptist Church here, assisted
by the Rev. Frank L. Bardens, pastor of
the Anacostia Baptist Church. Pail
bearers were chosen from the members
of the two organizations in which he
was active. The remains were inferred
in Congressional Cemetery.
The death of Mr.. Dawson closed a
life of varied activities. He was con-
fined to his bed for a few days only
and had always looked forward to re-
suming his tasks at the Pension Office.
Mr.. Dawson was a native of England,
where he was born on March 10, 1925, In
the town of Luton, Bedfordshire. He
came to America at the age of a little
more than five years, and learned the
printing trade in Philadelphia. He was
of prominent English ancestry, and 1t
is said that it was in the meadow of
his grandfathers country place that
Cowper, the poet, sat down and COM
posed his famous, There is a Fountain
Filled with Blood"
In Mr.. Davison's home in Anacostia
he had on exhibition many sketches of
old English scenes reminiscent of the
places and the people of his boyhood
In 1S45, in Philadelphia, he married Miss
Bithia Wheeler, who was his playmate
in England, and who had just arrived
in America with her relatives. Mr.. Da-
vison went to Canton ILL.,, about 1S48,
where he was publisher and editor of
the Canton Register, which continued
prosperous under his control until sold
by him in 1866.
The days of the civil war came while
he had charge of the paper and he sup
ported zealously the cause of the Union.
In 1862 he enlisted in Company c, 103d
Illinois Infantry, and was discharged in
1854. After passing some time in the
West, Mr.. Dawson received an appoint
ment in 1884 in the Pension Office, where
he has been engaged continuously since.
On his arrival in Washington he select
ed AnaCOstia as the place of his resi-
denCe, and there he secured suburban
home, to the care of which he devoted
much time and attention.
His wife survives him and is nearly
eighty-eight years old. Recently there
was celebration of their, birthdays
Mr. Dawson is also survived by six chill
dren. They are Joseph X. Dawson, of
Anacostia; William R. Dawson. post
master at Sterling. Va; Mrs. Henrietta
Spooner, OF Gunnell. Iowa: "A J. Dawson.
of Caraboo, Mo-; Mrs. Emma Reel, of
Fairview, Okla. and c. L. Dawson. Of
the Postoffice Department. He was a
prolific writer on religious topics, had
published several books and tracts on
religious studies, and was associated
with several organizations having for
their purpose the study of the Scrip
lures.
Installation ceremonies for the officers
recently elected by Salem Ledge, No. 2,
Independent Order of Odd Fellows, were
held last night in the Masonic Hall, in
AnacOstia- The installing officer was
Thomas ]. Gates, deputy grand master.
The Officers installed we're John T.
Dent, noble grand; William L. Beasley,
vice noble grand Joseph K. Dawson,
recording secretary: James M England,
financial secretary; John w. Payne,
treasurer. A feature of the meeting was
the delivery of an address by the Rev.
Frank L. Bardens, pastor of the Ana
costa Baptist Church. Following the
ceremonies refreshments were served.
The early davs of Methodism were
discussed last evening in the Anacostia
Methodist Episcopal Church, by the
Rev. Samuel w Graffiin, pastor, who
delivered an illustrated lecture on the
subject. A large audience viewed the
pictures, which portrayed the work OF
John Wesley and his followers.
The Rev. Charles NJ. Bart, pastor of
St. Teresa's Church, has begun his term
as chaplain at the Government Hospital
for tie Insane, and for the succeeding
two months he will conduct religious
services in the chapel hall each Sunday
afternoon.
An Improvement has been noted in
the condition of the Rev. willard g.
Davenport, rector rf Emmanuel Protest
ant Episcopal Church, who has been
confined TO his home on Maple View
avenue. During his absence from the
pulpit, services in Emmanuel P. E.
Church have been conducted bv the Rev.
Charles Sontag and the Rev. Karl
Block
The police are investigating shoot
ing at 213 Sheridan road, where a bullet
was fired through the window Of Mrs
Minnie Eerkleys house. 1t bored
through the window glass, struck a pic
ture ard fell to the floor. Mrs. Berk
lev was in the room, but she was not in
iured. The bullet was from .22-caliber
rife.
Bold Hold-Up Men Make