The Washington times., 1912-07-04
ASKS HISTORICAL
RECORDS Be KEPT
Of LOCAL EVENTS
Jonathan D. Cathell, 95
Years Old, Addresses
Oldest Inhabitants.

Bridging a gulf of memories. reaching
far back In the Districts past, ninety
five-year-old Jonathan D. Cathell, walk
ed with steady step to the rostrum at
the meeting of the Association of Oldest
Inhabitants In the Volounteer Fire En-
gine House today and in voice as Wig
orous as youths, told those gathered
Of things that happened before the ma
jority Of them were horn.
OF how they used to observe the
Fourth OF July In the District three
quarters Of a century ago, of how he
was the first to bring anthracite coal
into Washington and why the assoca-
tion Of which he Is the oldest momber
should keep historical records of the
years as they passed were a few of
the pointers" Captain Cathell, ninety
fve years young. told his fellow-citi-
gems.
posterity record Of what occurred in
the Nations Capital this year and every
year. while we are here" said the aged
speaker. The young people don't think
OF S.o1 1t 60 Sh we should; ! propose that we
tion, and have them published an
nually.'
Captain Cathell chuckled heartily on
hearing the association unanimously in
dorse his resolution.
Other speakers There.
There were other speakers at the cele-
bration and other features Of the pro-
gram besides the part taken by tie
aged residents attracted notice. but the
sight of the gray-haired man and the
knowledge that he seen ninety five
years OF life fingered in the minds of
all who saw and heard him speak.
Imagine, nearly d century DID," were
the expressions used in allusion to the
veterans remarks by those present,
each of whom was individually Impress
ed.
For nineteen years he WIS captain
and mate OF vessels when steam water
travel was unknown" said Benjamin
klopfer. member oe The organizat ation
familiar with Captain Cathell's history.
He remembers we'll the political night
between John Quincy Adams and An
Grew Jackcon. He settled in the Dis
trict permanently in 1874, and was fNr
forty years superintendent of the
Georgetown Gaslight Company"
When the old engine house gong. used
In the day when hand-propelled fire.
hghting apparatus was in use in the
District, had finished its annual ding
sociation and their guests arose and
sang America" and The Star Spang-
led Banner" Congressman William w.
Wedemeyer. of Michigan. made a patri-
Declaration OF Independence.
Picture Is Presented.
On behalf OF Mrs Allison Nailor,
whose husband was for years president
of the association, A. II. Regan. ]. l.
Keefer and Benjamin w. Reiss present
ed a picture of the David Burns cottage,
said to he one of the, first buildings
erected In the city. BY"
n
dent Of thr botanic Garden. who Is
on his deathbed, 4. scrapbook of his
tcricai newspaper clippings was brought
tc the associatton by 4. II. Regan.
He called me to his deathhed ani
ISOLATION" Mr.. Regan told the assem-
hled members in making the presenta-
ton OF the 3c1pbook.
The following new members were ini-
tiat-d Into the association: Benjamin 9.
Pool. samuel Cross. John c. Gaghen,
VIII r. Davis, J.. c. Rnes, William J.
Acker. Robert T. Middleton. end John
IS. Larner.
f.. M. willis. samuel D. Boss. and DR..
Hichard A. Neale have filed appliCa-
ti"ns for membership.
, Officers Are Reelected.
The following officers were reelected
for another term:
President-Theodore W. Noyes.
vice presidents-Fred. l.. Moore An
| drew H. Ragan, Jonathan d. Cathell,
| Albert Grupe, william r. Smith, John
| T. CLANCY. Charles S. Bundy. Harry h.
| Willard. A. P. Pardon, F. w. Kahlert,
William II. Singleton, BENJAMIN A. Co.
| lonna, Anthony Gaegler.
Recording secretary-Benjamin w.
| Reiss.
Corresponding secretary-John B. Nc
| Carthy.
Treasurer-Beniamin w. Sunny.
Financial secretary-John R Mahoney
Marshal-Andrew w. Kelley.
| Chronicler-George w. Evans.