Evening star., 1926-04-25

congregation was dismissed, and the
following theme pieces were chimed
by the bells: Ginning of the Bells.
Antioch Home, Sweet Home Hail
Columbia Changes and old Hun
dred'
There was a great deal of disap.
pointment al the real or apparent
want of volume and tone in these
bells which the congregation have
taken so much pains TO secure and
put in place. People outside the
church could hardly distinguish the
tones a few hundred yards from the
church. and those inside the edifice
were even worse off. 1t may be that
the spire IS too closely shut up to
give a full and free vibration. This
might be remedied. but. then. those
who did hear say that there was an
evident want Of harmony. There was
not only little volume to the sound.
but in what there was there was
lack Of harmony. like sweet bells
tangled out of tune and harsh.
"In the evening DR.. and Mrs. New
man received their friends in the
parlors of the church and there was
a very large attendance. Among
those present were President and Mrs.
Grant and their daughter Nellie, Post
master General Creswell, Vice Presi-
dent Colfax and wife. Senators Nor
ton and Sawyer, Col. D. &. Cox, Mr..
John Delano and other prominent
personages.
THERE is no mention of Mr.. Wild
i dows in the programs of Christ
mas, 1871. In The Evening Star of
Saturday, December %, 1871. is this.
There will be no special services at
the Metropolitan NJ. +. Church on
Christmas day. Tomorrow Rev.
Mr.. Newman will preach Christ
mas sermon. The music under
Prof. Burew. with Prof Tasker as
organist. will be appropriate. At
o'clock on Monday morning the bells
will chime Christmas carols"
The first mention of Mr.. WiddoWS,
the chimer. was in The Star, Decem-
ber "a. 1872. in the usual advance
story of Christmas services. 1t fol
lows: Special services will be held
tomorrow in most of the churches in
the District of Columbia. which. in
many instances, have been elaborately
decorated for the occasion with ever
green's and other adornmentS bef1tting
the Joyous season of Christmas. The
day will be ushered in at 6 O'Clock by
the chimes of the Metropolitan NJ.
E. Church. the following being
Mr.. Widows program" Then
follow the names of airs 30 be played.
In the years from 1872 to 1893 the
name "Widdows" became widely
known in Washington and was as
sociated with the Metropolitan chime.
BY the early sos, Mr.. Widdows and
the chime had become an institution,
using that word in the sense of Gin
stitutum," or IAN old established Gus
tnY N
escape the title Professor" and
through the 80s, Prof. widows
played the chime on all church holi-
days and on days Of civic celebration.
His hair turned white and his appear
ance called for respectful notice. The
Rambler remembers him as a man
under average height. neither spare
nor fat, a little round-shouldered. we'll
dressed, and quick or nervous in his
gait and speech.
The Rambler takes from the certifi.
cate of his death the facts that he
died July II, 1893. aged 70; that he
was a clerk in the Treasury, that he
was born in England, that he had lived
in the District 20 years, that hts
mother and father were born in Eng
land, that he died at his home, I'LL S
street northwest, and was buried in
Rock Creek Cemetery. DIR. John T.
Winter signed the certificate. Among
the death notices in The Star, July
1S, 1893, was this: "Widdows-in this
city at I'LL S street NV. on July II,
at 4:20 PM. Frederick Widows. aged
73. Funeral under direction-0f New
Jerusalem Lodge, F.A.A.M., from
Hamline NJ. E. Church. 9th and P Sts
N. W., Wednesday, the 18th instant,
at 4:30. Friends invited"
X \ 4
THERE is a sketch Of Prof. Wild
dows in The Star Of July 1s, 1898,
and pass it to you:
after a lingering illness Of six
months Prof. Frederick widows died
at 4:20 yesterday afternoon at the age
of 73. He was born in Norwich, Eng
land, and came to this country AZ
years ago. From early boyhood his
bent was toward music. He found
friendsAfn New York City VINO aided