Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-01

and, as result all of the happy philosophy
of the Teuton came to the surface amid the
unpleasantness of the weather and the dls-
corcant elements were forgotten. But laugh
as Ioud as they would and sing as hard as they
could, they could not drown the fact that the
rain had interfered with the success OF the
occasion, for there is no doubt that had II not
been for the thunderStorn1S that kept CHASING
each other across the sky, the hundreds present.
would have been swelled to thousands on TINS
great festal day among the German Amer1-
cans ="
Upon this occasion, Mr.. Hockemeyer, who
spoke in English, said in part:
I'm behalf Of the Washington ScnuetHen
Verein thank you kindly for this testimonial
gift You have come here today to celebrate
with us our twenty-fifth anniversary You
come and tell us that we have done our WORK
well: that we have fulfilled our obligations as
laid down by our forefathers
What were these obligations? A person
would naturally suppose that all that is neces-
sary to do to belong to the Schuetzen Verein
Is to pay for . membership ticket, 70 snooe ~
the target, to roll at tenpins, to drink lager
beer and eat schweitzer cheese. Oh, no. my
friends let us look back twenty-five years
At the close of q long and bloody war, the
streets of Washington were filled with soldiers
fresh from the field. Day and night the social
enjoyment Of our citizens were interfered WItn'
tiers to travel the streets. It was then, In the
interest of humanity, we organized the wash
ingtOn Schuetzen Verein, not only TO snoot AZ
targets, but to encourage one another IN social
intercourse-to obtain q park where they could
bring their families and keep watch over them
and save them from harm.
Mr.. Frank Clauding. the poet for the occa-
sion, read an original poem, entitled Test
0edecht" after which the Saengerbund sang
Isle Lieben HOch."
alHN-
bach" 50 The Star tells US, spoke on the sub
iect of the German-Amertcan in politics and
Mr. Buckhart gave his views Of the German
American IN ONCE. Rev. Mr.. Eiterich made o
combination speech In German and English
ebout the German IN his domestic relations and
then Mr.. Wolf apologised for Col M NJ
Parker who was to have spoken to the toast
1.-The ladies'" Additional speeches were, at the
call Of the chairman, made by Mr.. Paul
Schultz and Mr.. Theodore w. NOyes"
WHEN the writer came across the name Of
Representative LehIbach he naturally
thought Of the present member Of Congress by
that name Frederick r. Lehlbach whose con-
spicuous service In connection with civil Serv-
ice and retirement legislation Is well known.
Referring to the Biographical Directory of the
American Congress" he found that the first
LehIbach- an uncle of the pres
ent member, and that he born in Heilig-
Kreuz-Steinach, Baden, Germany July 3, 1S45.
He was but 6 years old when his parents
brought him to America, and entered the
United States House Of Representatives when
- years OF age. firing Of congressional life in
1891, he voluntarily retired to resume the prac-
tiee Of his profession . civil engineer.
Frederick Reinold Lehlbach, the nephew, was
born in New York City, and, like his uncle, b q
Republican Representative from New Jersey.
As already indicated, the Schuetzen Park was
attended by the foremost and best German
families in the city. as well aS by members OF
Congress the cabinet and the diplomatic corps,
and until the day 1t closed its gates, 1t main
tanned the respect Of all washingtonians, IRE
spective Of class.
OF incidental interest it may be said the
grounds Of Schuetzen Park were occupied dur
ing the CtVH War by the Id Connecticut Regi-
ment
Except for the few trees referred to. little
remains Of this celebrated park. One Of the
most interesting relics, however, stilk to be
seen b the marble statue Of Maj Gen. Fred
eriek Wilhelm Won Steuben, celebrated Prus-
saan-American geenraI during the War Of the
American Revolution. This statue now stands
In front Of the German Orphan Asylum near
Anacostta and appears IN fine condition. It
may be interesting to note that the founda-
ton stone Of this monument was laid at the
Schuet1en Park by the Grand Lodge Of Masons