Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-08
Of he ationGlM in
Arts and Industries Structure Reaches Impor-
tantAnniOersary Date-Hoe0 National
ZooIogicaI Park Mas Started RecoL-
ections of Some Of Early Employees.

all right then to purchase q lottery ticket or
do other things that today are unlawful.
The writer recalls the Museum cafe ~ years
ago when it was conducted by q man Of Ger.
man birth named John Under, who later on
and for many years kept cigar store at 631
q street, Just across from Schwing g. Clarke,
no doubt remembered by many an old-timer,
for the firm had wide reputation for its sea
food and other things it then sold, but which
are now forbidden.
Under, who was brother-in-law to Detec-
tive Block, had q very pleasant girl working for
him in the cafe named Fanny, and one day
when the noted archeologist, DR.. Charles Rau,
found a ny swimming in his beer there was q
tremendous wl1oop and another kind Of a row.
Fortunately no blood was spilled and the doc.
tor thereafter could be seen as usual enjoying
himself to the limit In Abner's Summer garden,
which occupied the space on street where
now stands Lansburghs store. He was very
gruf but kindly old German whom Prof. Baird
had picked up at the Philadelphia Centennial
of 1876 and invited to accept a position In the
Smithsonian. AS q scientist he was regarded
as one of the best in his line, and he was much
thought of by the rank and file Of the tnsti-
tuition for the generous way he lent his money
to those in need.
TT is real interesting to look back nearly half
century and recall some of those who were
employed in the Smithsonian Institution and
the National Museum at that time. For real
aIl-around ability, the writer does not believe
any man at that time or since has equaled the
assistant director, George Brown Goode; as a
museum organizer and administrator surely he
was without a peer. Like so many able men,
he overworked himself, contracted pneumonia
and died when only As years Of age. Had he
lived he undoubtedly in time would have be-
come the secretary of the institution.
Another man who was for a long while con-
nected with the Smithsonian, and who was
most charming character, was William Jones
Rhees for many years chief clerk of the insti-
tuition. In addition to his duties at the Smith,
Sonian, he was also trustee of the city public
schools, and one of their main supporters. He
was a writer, and his history of the Smith
sonian Institution and his sketches of the
Washington public schools are monuments that
will live longer than marble. His home at
that time was "way out in the country" or
on Spring road; first between Thirteenth and
Fourteenth streets, and later the same road
just to the west of Fourteenth street
If departed spirits wear crowns in the next
world, william ]. Rhees surely got his for the
real good he accomplished while on this earth.
One of the many things was in helping to
form the Washington branch of the Young
Mems Christian Association back in 1852 He
was the first recording secretary, the other
officers and directors being: President, A. II.
Lawrence; corresponding secretary, w. G. Lang
don; treasurer, M H. Miller Directors nomi-
mated by the different churches: Baptist, j. w.
Clarke, @. W. Dutton, Thomas Brooks and r.
SmalIwood; Episcopal, T. NJ Hanson, g. w.
Schreiner, Thomas Duncan and c. Dusenbury;
Methodist, Charles Pierson, A. B. johnson and
George H. B. White; Presbyterian, DR.. J. s.
Mackie, J. T. Cochrane, J. C. Whitwen and
o. C. Wight"
GO many old buildings are being removed in
~ this city and so many new ones are being
erected all the time that description that
would fit one particular spot this year would be
misleading the next When the Y. M. @. A.
was organized, it was in the Medical Building,