Evening star., 1925-06-04
PIONEER CITIZENS
SELECT OFFICERS
Association of Oldest lnhab.
itants Pays Tribute to Late
Capt. George W. Evans.

The Association of Oldest Inha bi-
taRts Of the District of Columbia
hued three vacancies in its list OF
officers, made plans for patriotic OBJ
seryance OF the Fourth OF July. and
debated several historical questions
at the regular monthly meeting in
UFion Engine House, Nineteenth and
II streets. last night.
SThe election was made neces-
ssry by the recent death Of Capt.
George w. Evans, who was both a
vice president and chronicler of the
organization.
Gen. Charles H. Ourand~ was pro-
moted from marshal to vice president.
John Clagett Proctor. who Is already
office of chronicer, and Frank W.
Dcwling was chosen marshal.
AS chairman OF the entertainment
committee. Washington Topham an
nQltnced that or July the associs.
tion will hold brief business session
inSihe engine house at II O'Clock, after
which the members will go to the
western Presbyterian Church. on Fl
street near Ninenteenth. for a patri-
otie celebration. Mr.. Topham said
the detailed program would be an
no.lnced later.
On motion of DR.. Benjamin w.
Sufnmy. the association voted to APP
point a committee of three to prepare
resolutions OF eulogy to the late Com.
missioner James F. oyster. who was a
member of the Oldest Inhabitants.
Col. Fenning Indorsed.
Later in the meeting MIR. Topham
offered resolution. which was adopt
ed. thanking President Coolidge for
naming a native Washingtonian, Col.
Frederick A. Fenning, to succeed
Capt. Oyster on the Board of Commits.
sioners. Mr.. Topham said the action
of the President was a recognition Of
thA desire of the people of the Dis
triet to have as Commissioners men
thoroughly familiar with local needs
and problems.
The committee appointed at the last
meeting to draft appropriate resolu-
tions in recognition of the long serv-
ice rendered to the association by the
late Capt. Evans submitted its report
which read in part as follows:
sResolved, That in the death OF
Capt. Evans the Association Of Old
est Inhabitants of the District of Co.
luplbia has lost true and loyal men,
Der and a lovable companion, one who
has worked to its best interests for
many years, annually recording with
fidelity and painstaking care the more
important events transpiring from day
to-day throughout the city, and in also
lending to il his great fina ncial knowi.
edge acquired through a service Of
half century with the United States
Government.
"A native of the District of Column
bia, his rise to prominence was as
honorable as it was conspicuous.
From the lowest position he rose to
that OF chief disbursing officer in The
Department of the Interior, from
which he was retired only a short
while prior to his death. He gained
his title OF captain through his connec.
ton with the National Rifles. long
since merged with the National
Gpard."
The resolutions were read by Sec
retary ]. Elior Wright, and ordered
spread upon the minutes Of the asso-
citation.
Joseph L. Keefer made a brief talk
In which he recounted incidents in
connection with the sending of the
first Morse telegraph message from
Washington to Baltimore, and he also
gave an account of the laying of the
Atlantic cable by the ship Great
Eastern Mr.. keefer said he had
found by reading references on the
subject that the cable broke twice be-
fore it was completely laid.
Believes Cable Burned.
James F. Duhamel expressed the
belief that, the cable did not actually
break, but that parts Of 1t were
burned out because Of the meager
knowledge people had. Of electrical
energy at that time. Mr.-Keefer re-
piled that he had found several books
which told of the cable breaking.
Mr.. Proctor inquired If any member
of the association could throw light
ons the kind of weapon with which
President Garfield was shot. He said
he4was under the impression it was a
British bulldog gun. DR.. William
Tindall bore out the statement OF Mr..
Proctor and gave an account of his
intimate knowledge of the details sur
rounding the death of Garfield.
Mr. Topham said he read an article
recently giving a. list Of the persons
whose bodies have been taken to the
rotunda of the Capitol before burial.
Mn Topham expressed the belief the
list was not complete and mentioned
the name of Vice President Henry VII
son as one that was omitted.
Dr. Sunny, on behalf of Mrs.
George w Evans, presented TO the
association the American flag which
was draped on the coffin of Capt. w.
+. Hudson. who was killed in action
in France during the World War.
The following new members were