Evening star., 1934-03-08
Topham and Bryan, Former
Vice Presidents of Group,
H0n0red.

When the parents OF Washington !
Topham gave their son his Christian |
name" said Mr.. Wright, they must |
have been endowed with the gift Of |
prophecy, for there was scarcely a |
single enterprise relating to the memo |
ry Of our first President or to the |
city named for him in which WASH |
ington Topham did not take an in |
terest and an active one. Born in |
on February %. 1860. |
Washington was being unveiled In |
Washington Circle, he was given the |
name of Washington, Of which he was |
always proud.
I'm fact" said Mr.. Wright. "his |
chief hobby was Washington City. its
advancement and national representa-
ton for its inhabitants. So intense
was his interest in the very name Of
Washington, that he endeavored to
affiliate himself, whenever possible,
with organizations bearing that name
or having some association with it. as.
for example. when he joined the
Masons and the Mount Vernon Chap
ter OF Royal Arch Masons. 1t was
striking coincidence, but peculiarly
appropriate, therefore, that when the
time came for him to return to his
Maker. he should depart this life in
the very year in which the entire
world was celebrating the bicentennial
Of the illustrious man for whom he
was named"
Animation Numerous.
Reviewing Mr.. Tophams early life.
his business career and his interest in
printing and writing, Mr.. Wright told
of Mr.. Tophams numerous civic,
patriotic and fraternal affiliations and
especially his activities in the Colum
of Oldest Inhabitants.
las soon as he was eligible" said
the speaker, "he joined the Association
of Oldest Inhabitants, in 1910, on his
50th birthday. becoming one of its
vice presidents almost Immediately
and being continued in that Of
flee until the day Of his death.
He also served as chairman for a
long time of the important Program
Committee Of that association. where
his services were most valuable for
special meetings. such as Washingtons
birthday, Fourth Of July and annual
meetings. He attended meetings faith
fully and was ever active in the up
building of its membership. His
knowledge Of the history of Wash
ington in its infancy seemed surpassed
by none, and his addresses and remi-
niscences Of the city were always
listened to with the. greatest atten-
ton
Mr.. Topham's activities in the in
terest OF national representation for
the District of Columbia were said
by the speaker to have been carried
forward through many channels. He
served for many years" said Mr..
Wright. "and until his death as al
member of the Citizens Joint Com
mittee on National Representa- tion its
Executive Committee and various sub
committees. 1t is characteristic of
the man that on the day Of the
presidential election he observed the
day as q day Of mourning and draped
his home in heavy black in recogni-
ton of the denial of the Districts citi-
zens to participate in the election OF
the President"
Other Activities reviewed.
Mr.. Wright also reviewed in detail
Mr.. Tophams activities in religious
and social service circles of the city
and in conclusion quoted from an
editorial in The Evening Star in trib-
ute to Mr.. Topham.
John Clagett Proctor, senior vice
president of the association, who pre-
sided, paid tribute to Mr.. Topham as
friend true as steel" He empha-
sized Mr.. Tophams work for ma
tional representation, declaring he was
one Of the strongest advocates OF this
cause the city had ever had. Mr..
Topham withdrew from one patriotic
organization, Mr.. Proctor said, because
the organization would not indorSe
national representation.
Henry L. Bryan was eulogized by |
Mr.. Proctor as very fine. high-type |
man, sterling citizen and valued men, |
Der OF our association"
James F. Duhamel. vice president,
paid tribute to both Mr.. Topham and |
Mr.. Bryan
As to Mr.. Topham's interest in
amateur editing" Mr.. Duhamel re-
ferred to a list of several former
amateur editors" of that day as fol- |
lows: Lemuel Towers, DR.. Charles |
Harry West, H. L. Bryan,
Washington Topham. J. w. Garner,
Clarence G. Allen. J. Edison Briggs, |
Frank B. Noyes, John Boyle, John B. |
Larner, Charles w. Darr, Samuel Mil. |
ton and j. D. Lee.
Mr.. Duhamel recalled the cordial |
and happy way" in which Mr.. Bryan |
as senior vice president had presided |
over the association.
Elra c. Palmer was elected thirteenth |
vice president of the association to !
fill the vacancy in the list caused by |
the recent death of Mr.. Bryan as
first vice president. Mr. Palmer prom |
ised to play his violin at the next meet |
ing Of the association, in April, to
demonstrate the old dance music of
early days. in contrast to the "jazz"
music of today. Mr.. Palmer prom
ised also a discussion of modern music
and an answer" to Paul Whiteman's
claims for jazz" He said he would
be accompanied by Joseph M. Leibert
of this city, father Of Dick" Leibert,
Of radio fame.
Cigars for the meeting last night
were q treat" from Miss Alice God |
dard and Frederick Goddard Of this |
city, friends of the association, who |
Frequently have presented 1iftS to the