Evening star., 1914-05-22
TELL Of WARTIME
DAYS IN THE CAPITAL
Speakers at Meeting Of Takoma Park
Historical Society Relate Lin
coin Anecdotes.

James A Sample cashier of the United
States Treasury, and ]. B. Kinnear, a
former mayor Of Takoma Park. Nd. de-
livered addresses Wednesday night be-
fore the Takoma Park Historical Society,
in the lecture room Of the TaAoma Park
branch Of the Washington Public Library.
Mr.. Sample spoke on Personal Recollec-
lions Of Abraham Lincoln and Mr.. Kim
near on the Founding of Takoma Park
Nd
Mr.. Sample related incidents In con-
nectfon with the civil war and the first
time he saw Lincoln, which was at the
Gurley Memorial Church. He told Of how
the President during war times spent
evenings about the War Department,
chatting with the telegraph operators
engaged In sending and receiving mes
sages from the front. Mr.. Sample said
that he attended several Of the White
House receptions during Lncoln's admin
lstration. Through the courtesy Of one
Of the officials at the White House C. NJ
Heaton, ST., father Of Charles M, Heaton.
President Of the Takoma Park Historical
Society, obtained the pair Of white kid
gloves which Lincoln wore at the first
reception he attended and for which he
presented to Mr.. Sample and they were
exhibited at the meeting last night. They
are soiled and torn, just as they were
when President Lincoln concluded the
reception Mr.. Heaton explained that one
OF the gloves was torn in the Presidents 8
haste to remove it from his hand
Recognized the President.
In 1858. the speaker said, he was
transferred from the War to the Navy
Department. where he also saw tho Presi-
dent quite frequently. He referred to an
incident which occurred ono evening in
August. 1858. wt,ile he was preparing to
leave the department It was about 6
O'Clock, he said. when he heard a voice
In tho hall remark IT wonder il they
have all gone and left the department
alone" Mr.. Sample said that he looked
out the door and recognized the President
and told him that he was just about to
close up.
The President often went out and par
dcipated in revolver practice with a nan
named Middleton in the department and
he was probably looking for him at the
time. The President invited Mr. Sample
70 accompany him on this occasion, the
President in the meantime waiting for
him to put his books away and close up
the ONCE. They walked out to the White
Lot. where the President stepped off
seventy-fve PAGES. Making a target out
Of paper from the department, which was
carried along, 1t was pinned up and the
President proceeded to practice with his
gun The President, he said, fired stand
ing and kneeling. Mr.. Sample saved the
possession. The President invited him to
return with him to the White House, but
he declined. whereupon the President re-
marked That "he hoped that he would
see him soon again" He next saw the
President at reception, where the
Released by Lincoln.
Louis P. Shoemaker recited an incident
of his kindlin1ss Of character. Although
they were sympathizers with the south,
the President issued an order for the re-
lease Of an uncle who was dangerously
i'll at Point Lookout when Mr. Shoe
makers mother and aunt called on the
President to urge his release. His uncle
survived and lived in the National Capital
for many years.
Former Mayor ]. B. Kinnear was the
next speaker of the evening He told of
the early history of the town and of the
securing of a town charter, which author
lied the little village to be operated on a
solid, business basis. Much credit was
given Justice Ashley NJ. Gould of the
District Supreme Court, then corporation
counsel, and W. w. Dyar for the serv-
ices rendered in preparing laws enabling
the town to collect taxes from delin-
quents.
Mr.. Dyar made a few brief remar IS
along these lines. telling of how it was
necessary to expend nearly $40 to collect
tax bill of 90 cents under the old laws
The laws now in vogue in Takoma Park
he said, had been adopted by a number OF
the municipalities throughout the state
of Maryland.
The association adjourned to meet again
Wednesday, October 2S, in the lecture
hall of theTakoma Park Library.