davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-05-14
DID OXFORD HAS
NEW MAYOR
By CHARLES A. SMITH
international News Service

LONDON, May 14.-Oxford, the
pleasant English riverside city ia
nous for its university, is in the
grip of a Mussolini.
He is Alderman John Carter. the
new mayor, and he is ruling OK
ford as it has never been ruled
before incidentally much to the
disnay of the dignified and patri
clan councillors of the city.
Adopting as his slogan eff
cheney in public service" Mayor
Carter has announced that he
fuses to be a puppet in the hanuS
of his council, and that he, as
head of the municipal governmeht
of the city, is out to govern WIN
a capital &C."
Canadian born, Mayor Carter has
democratic ideas about his JOB. he
declined to hold the traditional
mayors banquet after he had as
sumed office, on the grounds OF
unnecessary expense, and instead
entertained his charwoman, hall
attendant, and office boys at
dinner.
Local government in England
has become nothing but an old
mans hobby" Mayor Carter de-
clared in an interview. am out
for the young men. T want young
bIood-younE men with IDEAS. am,
going to insist that elderly council
Tors and civic employees retire at
the age of SIS to make room for
the young idea. But the council
will try their hardest to defeat me-
They simply viii not resign,
he declared. "Once a member Is
a chairman of committee on. this
council he remains there until he
dies"
Finances are another sore point
with Mayor Carter. I'm the past, ;"
he stated, ''this office has been held
by men of wealth-men who could
afford to entertain and pay for
their hospitality out of their own
pockets. I am a poor man. ] live.
in the slums of Oxford So this
is how I do it.
ST forego the traditional mayors
banquet, where 500 or 600 people
used to assemble for q feast Of
turkey and champagne, and give
little parties instead. entertain
in groups or professions. One
Monday 1 have seven or eight Of
the town grocers. the next the
blacksmiths. pnd so on. can talk
to them theh,. / hear what they
have to say about my administra-
ton, and it does not cost me much.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-05-14
STUDY ]. s.
CURRENCY
BIZ ROBERT 5. THORNBURGH

A study Of the American cur
rency system is considered by the
Royal Currency Commission of
Great Britain, which is now inves-
tigating a plan to place India on
a gold basis.
"The rise of the rupee during the
past two years and the great pros
perity in India resulting from
series of flour favorable monsoons
have again brought to the forefront
the need of currency reform, said
r. o. Hall, assistant chief of the
finance division Of the Department
Of Commerce.
The royal commission already
has held sittings in India and Lon
don. The great efficiency of the
American money system is ex-
pected to be studied before def
mite decision as to midas currency
future is reached.
For the needs of midas internal
trade silver is regarded as the best
medium, but in settling foreign bal
ances silver entails uncertainty and
Inconvenience.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-05-14
FlREMEN ARE TO STAGE
BIG BENEFIT PERFORMANCE

A half dozen or more acts will
appear, the featured artist being
Nine. Sorocco, a Russian soprano,
at the benefit performance Of the
Silver Spring Volunteer Fire De-
partment tonight at Indian Spring
Golf Club.
Several other New York artists
are booked to appear on the pro-
gram, which will include renditions
ranging from the operate to mod
ern blues and ballad selections. in
terspersed by the Charleston, to be
offered by Camille Little, a local
artist, and a review directed by
Mischa emerson.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-05-14
ApvERrIsEMENT
The cOIIegiates Are
Coming Lan
Coming in Strong, Too, at
the Trousers Headquarters
-Friedlander Bros, 42S
Ninth st. N. w.

It was thought for awhile that
the collegiate cut in mems clothes
was just a passing fad-but fash.
ion centers advise that reports, OF
its death are greatly exaggerated
and that it is as strongly intrenched
in the public's favor as bobbed
hair.
That all leads up to the story
at hand-this being just a memory
logger that Friedlander Bros. AS
Ninth Street N. W., are staging at
this writing an exceptional sale
of collegiate odd trousers-number-
ing In their offering the very latest
effects in collegiate designs.
Then there's the price-lt GER
tainly should be around $3.50 for
they look and are worth that
but this is a sale and that's
where you get the gravy-for they
are only $4.85-think of that!
Yes, Sir-42S Ninth Street N. W..
that's the address to remember.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-05-14
AMERICAN AUTOS CROWD
OTHERS OFF SWISS MARKET

LOS ANGELES, May 14.-Amer-
lean automobiles are crowding out
European-made machines in Switzer.
land, Ernest G. Joseph, printing
magnate of Zurich, declared, here to.
day because the American com
panies maintain agencies with a
full supply of parts.
Weeks are sometimes required
to get small parts for the European
cars" Joseph said
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-05-14
TELEPHONE EMPLOYEES
TO HOLD CONVENTION

Alexander Graham Bell Chapter
No. Is, Telephone Pioneers of
America, composed of employees of
the Chesapeake and Potomac Tele-
phone Company from the District
of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia
and West Virginia, will hold its
annual convention in Washington
tomorrow. President p. o. Coffin
will preside.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-05-14
Women S Nai1asook
Athletic Union
Suits EOc
Saturday Only

Nainsook union suits in
striped or figured patterns,
and Some of wolfe in plain pat
terms. White or flesh. Low
neck sleeveless and knee
length style. Sizes 36 to 40.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-05-14
Thieves Work Barefoot

PITTSBURGH, May 14.-A gang
of barefoot burglars, who work in
squads and leave behind evidences
Of hastily prepared meals, ransack-
ed o number Of houses at InEeam.
nnar here.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-05-14
200 Poirs of
Long Silk
W II and is But
UkOVGS ton Lengths
Saturday CSC
All First Quality

Novelty silk gloves with en-
broidered back and double fin.
ger tips. Made by a famous
maker. In pearl, pongee and
beige. Sizes 6 to 712.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-05-14
Photo by smith
Miss Florence M. C0ssefIIo

For the last two years l. have
been bothered with pains in nv
back, terrible headaches and at
times would get awfully dizzy, would
almost fall, and was very nervous.
Ny mother gave me many medi-
cines and I would feel better for a
while and then go right back again.
But after I got to using DR.. Pierce's
Favorfte Prescription, / have had
no more trouble. Now / am per-
fectIy well, never have a pain or
an ache any more and enjoy eating
All girls who suffer as 1 did know
win get well If they use DIR. Pierce's
Favorite Prescription. Miss Flor
ence NJ. Cause.-The, 31S Rosebor-
ough, San Antonio, Texas.
Obtain this famous Prescription"
now, In tablets or liquid, from your
druggist. Write DR.. Pierce, Presi-
dent Invalids' Hotel in Buffalo, N.
Y, if you desire free medical advice.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-05-14
DR.. PIERCE
Y0n can almost feel
RHEUMATISM
disappear!
TAKE s. s. s.

THAT miserable ache from In
famed, swollen mu cles-
GONEh rheumatism conquered!
Driven right out Of the system
simply by building rich, red blood.
Sounds almost incredible but
It's true! You see, rheumatism, as
it is called, that cripples you up
and fortunes you night and day, is
caused by impurities in the system.
Weak, impoverished blood can't
throw of these impurities - so
rheumatism remains.
s. s.. s. helps Nature rebuild your
blood to fighting strength-buflds
red-biood-cells by the millions!
REQ blood purifies the system
rheumatism is driven right out.
Get this wonderful relief your.
self! Thousands are doing It!
s. S. S. has been stopping rheuma-
tism by building up
red cells in the blood
for generations. I'll GCC
VIII do the same forl AANJ
you. s. s. 8. also H
cleanses your skin Of
Observation-Disclosures
your appetite - puts power and
strength and energy in your body.
Get 8. s. s. today from any drug
gist. The larger bottle n3e mora
nennomfaa1
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-25

airy 16, 1905; James Griffith Coombe,
born in Washington Il have not the
date).
Julianna Coombe married James d.
Barry of Washington In 1911. He
died in 1856 and his widow, Julianna
lived to be- II years old. Their de.
scendants are numerous. Mary Coombe
married Rev. David Butler. and one
of their daughters married Edward
Barry and another daughter married
Dayton Ward. Mrs. Ward Is living in
Washington. Mary Barry lived to
be SO.
Ruhannah Coombe married Rev.
Thomas Hewett. Elizabeth Coombe
married Bishop George Griswold.
James Griffith Coombe married Emily
L. McWilliams of southern Maryland
in 1910.
The children of James Griffith
Coombe and Emily were George G.,
Mary r., Alice, Pleasanton. Thomas
Rodney, Eliza Barry and Clement G..
George G.. Coombe married Constine
Middleton of Prince Georges County,
and their children were Harry, Ralph,
Isabelle and William A. Coombe.
Harry married Miss Powers, Belle
married first Mr.. Harris, and has
two sons, James and Ralph Harris.
She married, second, Clayborne Hun
ter. Mary T. Coombe married Will
liam Page of Virginia and had as chill
dren Mary Emily, Anne Ramsey,
Elizabeth Calhoun and Charles Craig
Page. Mary Emily Page married Viii
liam Keller of California. and they
had FIVE children, William Bidemond,
Craig, Mary, Catherine and Mildred
Page Keller. Mr.. Keller died in San
Francisco in 1902 William Bidemond
Keller was killed in the World War
Mildred died in 1920. The others live
In San Francisco.
Ann Ramsay Page married Gordon
q. Ray of Montgomery County, Md,
and they live in Mount Rainier. Md.
Elizabeth Calhoun Page married
Joseph F. Sheirbtrrn of Charles Coun-
ty, and they have five children, VIII
liam Harrison, Marjorie Elizabeth.
Mary Paige. Elouise and Joseph Il.
Edmond Sheirburl.
A son and daughter of James Crit
fifth Coombe and Emily L. Nc
williams Coon1be are living in Wash
ington. They have number of
relics associated with the family and
early Washington. I am told that
they have four candlesticks which
were on the altar of the first Cath
Ollie Church in Washington, Barry's
Chapel Griffith Coombe. am told.
built that chapel for the Barry
family Miss Elizabeth Barry Coombe
has two of thm candlesticks, and the
others are With Mrs. Gordon q Rays
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-25
Griffith Coombe and His Associates
Were D. G.. Leaders in Early Days
Washingons Birthplace

"HE shades of several actors
are at my desk and mean to
call them into these stories,
4 but ask them to wait a week
or two. There comes to me
the memory of q man of early Wash
ington. His name is in the records
Of the city and his descendants and
collateral kindred are numerous. This
man was Griffith Coombe.
A Madison Davis, an old friend OF
ours, read a paper before the Column
bia Historical Society, November Il,
1900. on 1.-The Navy Yard Section
During the Life of the Rev. William
Ryland." You remember Madison
Davis? He filed positions in the POST
Office Department, and some OF you
knew him when he was CHER clerk 10
the Third Assistant Postmaster Gen
era1, but most of you knew MIN our
ing the years he was Assistant city
Postmaster. Some Of you have been
to the old Davis home, No. 3l6 A
street southeast. Well, in the paper
on 1.-THE Navy Yard Section During
the Life OF the Rev. William Ryland'
is this:
Griffith Coombe was one of the
hest-known men in the early days OF
Washington's history. fe was in
fimately connected, socially and other
wise, with Thomas Law, Frederick
May and other prominent and
wealthy men of Capitol Hill and other
parts Of the city, and was a very
successful man of business. His wife
was Miss Mary Pleasanton, the aunt
of Gen. Alfred Pleasanton OF. subse-
quent military fame. =
mfr. Coombe'S residence, which ,
yet standing (1900)-its location be-
ing the corner of Georgia avenue ana
Third street southeast, was one OF the
first houses in Washington. 1t was
built before the seat of Government
was moved from Philadelphia. and
was for many years the abode or
wealth, elegance and culture. Gen.
Washington is said to have dined and
slept in this house. Certainly Jeffer-
son and Madison were not strangers
to It's generous hospitality.
ut is perhaps worthy of especial
mention, from a historical point of
view that when Gen. Winder and his
little army in 1914 retreated before
the British from the Old Fields in
Maryland he came into the city over
what was then called the Lower
Bridge, and encamped on the plain
known as the Navy Yard Common.
He chose, however. for his head.
quarters the house of Griffith Coombe:
and 1t was there that he received, up
to the hour he left with his troops
for Bladensburg, the President. the
Secretary Of State, Mr.. Monroe; the
Secretary of War, Gen. Armstrong,
Commodore Tingev. Commodore Bar
ney and many other distinguished
persons. / regret to see that this
old house is being allowed to go to
ruin. Mr.. .Coombe lived to extreme
old age, dying, 1 think. in 1845 or
1916. He was a faithful attendant
at Christ Episcopal Church"
The body Of Griff1th Coombe was put
IN the Coombe family vault, Congress.
slonal Cemetery. September IS, 1S45.
BY kindness Of my friend at the
cemetery lodge, Lewis B. Taylor the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-25

Corps. read, too, the announcement
of the death of Mrs, Mary TEavers,
''73 years old, a. native of Scotland, but
for 35 years a resident of this city"
Among the marriage notices were:
by the Rev. John p. Donelan, Will
liam P. Drury to Miss Mary Elizabeth
Lehman" and 'by the Rev. S. A.
Roszel, Henry Carter to, Miss Susan
Pentz of Baltimore"
In turning the pages of the Intelli
gencer. to find the date of MIR. Coombe's
death. the Rambler came. on a num-
Der of things which interested him,
and they may interest you. Although
their recital will interrupt the story Of
Griffith Coombe, the. Rambler will give
you all the Information of that good
man which he. the Rambler, has be-
fore he let's gothic subject.
In the. InteIligencer September 20,
1845. the farm Wakefield, birthplace
OF George Washington, was advertised
for sale. Part of the advertisement
follows:
Wakefield for Sale-I offer for sale
one of the best estates on the Potomac
River, containing about 1920 acres,
between 600 or 500, of which are
arabic and now in cultivation. The
land is generally rich, black loan, in
terspersed with shells, and in fertility
is cuudi, IL IOI "
any on the river. In one of the fields
convenient to wood Is an inexhaustible
bed of oyster shells. which could easily
be converted into lime, and made use.
full on such parts of the estate as may
not be already sufficiently supplied
with this valuable manure. The build
ings consist of an overseer's house.
granary and all the outhouses neces
sary for the use of the farm. The es-
tate is bounded on three sides by
Bridge Creek, the river and Popes
Creek. requiring less than the usual
quantity of fencing to inciosee 1t. It
is the birthplace of Washington. Fish,
oysters and wild fowl are abundant
and, indeed. all the facilities of living
are cheap and easily procured.
with the estate, I wish to dispose
Of from Is to 20 likely negroes, con-
sisting of a fair proportion of men,
women, boys and children. The health
of the situation may be estimated by
the fact, of which / am informed, that
the physicians bill for the last 10
yearsMl1as not averaged 10 dollars per
annum. Apply at the Office of the
Baltimore American"
The name Of the owner is not given,
but by turning to one Of the rambles
on Wakefield hand you this:
George Washingtons father, Au-
gustine, left the farm to his son,
Augustine, who left 1t to his son, Will
liam Augustine Washington. The lat
ter left it to his son. George Corbin
Washington, who sold the farm in
1913 to John Gray of Stafford County,
Va, who left it to his son, Atchison
Gray, who sold the place to Daniel
Payne. Payne took the farm in con-
nection with other property and owed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-25

IL concrete piers spans a distance of
so meters Test Thermometers are
placed on the stretched tapes as test
ed and verified. A dead weight of 10
Kilograms is applied at each end of
the test tape to hold 1t at constant ten
sion during the investigation.
Perhaps you have heard about the
epochal research Investigations of DIR.
A A Michaelson. the worlds leading
physicist, who several years ago
checked the reliability of the figures
which science recognizes as represent
alive of the velocity Of light. The
standardized tape which DIR. Michael
son used in laying off the base line for
his investigations was corrected and
checked for accuracy at the Bureau
of Standards.
Two continuous pieces Of steel arc
welded together in the Federal tape
tunnel, being graduated both in the
metric and English system length
measurements for testing steel
tapes. They are supported upon roll
err bracket braces. Portable micro.
scopes are used in testing the accuracy
of these steel tapes. The error of each
tape tested is corrected by the use
of the plus or minus sign and the
minute fraction of length which sig
nif1es how much too long or short the
measure Is.
A constant-temperatur chamber
which adjoins the tape tunnel is the
technical workshop where the COM
parsons are made between the stand
ard United States meter and the
working standards of length measure
ment. An invar beam is used to sup
port the movable microscope. This is
probably the largest bar of invar In
use in the United States. The ar
rangement is such that the meter
bars can be placed on firmly rncunteo
supports and composed either in cir.
ice bath or water. Thermostatic con-
troll keeps the temperature constant
in all cases.
Other features of the length meas
urement division include the bust
ness of measuring and correcting
circles and angles. The Bureau of
Standards will potentially standardize
most of the survey circles used by
Coast and Geodetic Survey. Geological.
Survey, our national astronomical
laboratories and various scientific
One remarkable new
machine Is employed in making the
circles. while a second is used in their
celebration.
Recently at the Bureau of Stand
ards a. device has been developed for ,
measuring the depth Of the minute
spaces in blood counting chambers,
which medical science now uses so en-
tensiyeiy in diagnosing diseases.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-25

farm was sold at trust sale. Payne's
executors buying It.
THE Payne estate, including Wake
field, was inherited by Daniel Payne's
daughter Betty, who in 1S45 was mar
ried to DIR. William Writ of Wirtland
the house now owned by Paul
Kester. In 1886 DR.. William Writ
and his wife Elizabeth sold Wakefield
to John f. Wilson of Anne Arundel
County, Md, who gave the farm 10
his son, John f. Wilson, who had
married Miss Betty Washington,
granddaughter Of William Augustine
Washington. who had inherited the
farm and built on 1t the fine brick
house, still standing, named Blen-
helm"
The Rambler, 20 years ago and
since, carried his camera over every
acre of the Washingtons' Pope Creek
farm, and told you all about it. He
had dinner with Mr. John T.. Wilson
and drank whisky with him. poured
from a. decanter which the Washing
tons of Wakefield had used. IF that
be treason etc, etc.
In those 1845 copies of the Intelli.
genecer l.. J. Middleton offers for sale
his farm of 125 acres ION which he
now resides, beautifully situated on
Rock Creek. having a commanding
view of Washington and the Potomac
River and distant about 2 miles
from Georgetown and from the
Center Market" John A. Bartruff
offers for sale IS acres formerly own.
ed by Mr.. James Williams, "adjoin-
ing the lands of Messrs. Gales and
Seaton on the Bladensburg and Balti.
more road, and having a never-failing
well on the property" Jacob Payne
wants to sell his highly improved
farm above Georgetown In the angle
of two fine improved county roads,
and about half mile westward Of
Nathan Luffboroughs late residence"
Charles J. Nourse wants to sell 800
acre farm, south of his residence
and on the heights above Georgetown,
fronting on the turnpike road and
running back to the lands of Joshua
PIERCE" lie also wants to rent the
late residence OF Joseph Nourse on the
heights above Georgetown.
X 4 \
GRIFFITH COOMBE was a son Of
Benjamin and Elizabeth Coombe
of Delaware, and he married Miss
Mary Pleasanton, daughter of Jonathan
and Ruhannah PleaSanton of that
State March IS. 1892. The children
of Griffith and Elizabeth Coombe were
Julianna, born in Philadelphia, No
vember Ia, 1898; Mary, born in Phila-
delphia August 2, 1893; Ruhannah,
born at Washington July Is, 1902:
Elizabeth, born in Washington Janu-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-07-25

superintendent, and Miss Gertrude
Shelton, can give you the names
of those whose relics were laid in
the Coombe vault. The first was,
Mrs. Griswell (Griswold). May 5, 1929,
and her child on November 20, 1929.
The record follows: 1880, Maj. Thomas
L. Smiths child; 1880. Mr.. Barry's
child; September 20, 1881 Mrs. Biag-
den: October 1. 1881, John Coyle;
May 16, 1882, Mr.. Jonathan Hunt;
June 90, 1882, Mr.. George E.. Mitchell;
February 8, 1893, Robert Huett's
child November 10. 1888, Mrs. Huett;
February y, %, 1894, David Barry's
child; September %, 1870, David Bar
RVS child; January 20. 1s43, Miss
Eliza Pleasanton; September 16, 1845,
Griffith Coonnbe; August Is, 1849,
James d. Barry; June s. 1850, Robert
Barry: December %, 1856. Mary
Coombe; January Is, 1850, Daniel Bar
ry; April %, 1860, -- Barry FIRST
name not given); children of Thomas
M. Hanson. and Mrs. Gardner tdate
not given); February 8, 1857, Edward
october 23,1S69, David Barry; Febru-
airy 8, 1888, DR.. James A. Coombe.
(spelled Coombsl; May Is, 1891, Ann
Barry.
The remains Of Jonathan Hunt,
George E. Mitchell and Thomas How
ard were moved from the vault to
other parts of the cemetery in 1898,
and Mrs. Hanson's children We're
moved in 1852 and 1864. The Coombe
vault is of red brick, has a sheet-iron
door and stands in a large grassy
plot, within an iron rail. Next It 10
the Blagden vault.
GRIFFITH CoOMBE died Sunday,
~ September Il, 1S45. In the Ma
tIonal Intelligencer of Tuesday. Sep
teYnber 16, lS45, find this: Died
On Sunday morning last, after pro-
tracted illness. Mr.. Grifith Coombe,
in the seventy-eighth year OF his age.
Mr.. Coombe was a native of Della.
ware, but was one of the first and
most active and enterprising found
ers OF this city. He was long a mem
B her OF the Church of Christ on Earth
and died in the hope OF a blessed i'm
mortality The friends of the family
are respectfully invited to attend the
funeral of the deceased, from his late
residence near the Eastern Branch,
at 10 o'clock this morning.
"a paper in Smyrna, Del, VIII
please notice the above"
In going through three issues Of the
Intelligencer before September Is and
1he same number after that date the
Rambler read notices Of the death Of
several Washingtonians. One notice
told OF the death on September 8,
1s45, Of Henry Baldwin Bomford,
youngest son OF Col. George Bonn
FORD, United States Ordnance" An.
other notice was of the death OF DR..
George Washington May, a native of
Boston, but the prime and manhood
iof his life had been spent in this city,
where he practiced medicine with a
high reputation"
One notice was of the death Of Mrs.
Helen Nicholson, consort OF Maj. An.
guStua A. Nicholson Of the Marine