Evening star., 1936-05-31
NOTED AS PET MAN
Edward Schnid Has Been Friend of Presi-
dents and of Leaders in Other Coun.
tries in Half Century.

ropean countries. and another Is to
serve as a receiving station for the
animals that are sent by game hunters
from the tropics and the far corners
of the earth.
The first ostriches Matched in Wash
ington we're raised in Schmid's store,
the brood being sent to the National
Geological Park. BY successfully rails
ing the big birds. Mr. Schmid did what
the experts said was impossible. The
first japanese fantail goldfish and
other now popular varieties Of fish, as
well as fancy pigeons, appeared in the
old store. which occupies three stories
at 7l2 Twelfth street northwest.
Mr. Schmid lives at the store in
rooms on the third floor. He under
stands and loves his pets as few people
in this world do. and he likes to live
among them. In his fourth-f1oor rooms
are tokens of regard from people all
over the earth. There is letter from
President Theodore Roosevelt. whose
son Quentin spent many hours at the
shop. Quentin and Archie Roosevelt
have presented Mr.. Schmid with
carved cane. There are autographed
photographs from Presidents Hoover
and Coolidge and one from Chief
Usher Ike" Hoover.
OF ALL his mementoes Mr.. schmid
esteems a simple letter highest of
all Thirty-five years ago blind,
deaf woman came into the store. sc-
companied by the former United
States Minister to Switzerland, John
Hitz. Into her hands. so that she
might see" them. Mr.. Schmid placed
many birds, baby alligator, a snake
and other animals. Many years later
Mr.. Schmid received a letter from the
woman in which she expressed her
gratitude for his kindness and cour-
tesy. The woman was Helen Keller.
Mr.. Schmid was born in 1856. He was
the son of one Louis Schmid. who had
emigrated from Bern, Switzerland, to
Hastings-on-H Hudson, N. Y, in 1850.
In 1858 the family moved to Washing
ton. When Edward was a young boy
he met Mr. Hitz, who was then Min
lister to Switzerland. Hitz took liking
to the lad and made it possible for
him to go to Leesburg, Va. to study
Horticulture. Edward, though only IL
years old, wanted to wanted to become
florist.
Louis Schmid's health began to fail
soon afterward and he was forced. IN
order to support his family, to make
paper boxes for hats in his own home.
Edward felt that he should be helping
at home. too, so he returned to WASH
ington. having spent three years at
Leesburg. Again Mr.. Hitz gave a help
ing hand. The wire frames on which
florists build designs had just been in
troduced in New York. Mr.. Hitz OBJ.
tanned some and demonstrated their
use to some florists in Washington,
telling the flower men that Edward
could fill all their orders. The boy
became a proficient wireworker, max
ing all types of designs, even to the
large angel that was suspended in the
rotunda of the Capitol at the funeral
of President Garfield.
An odd incident launched Edward
into his present business. While max
ing wire frames he took up the study
of taxidermy. rather as hobby than
because he expected to realize any
money from the trade. A friend caught
wild canary, a brier bird, and
brought it to Edward, telling him that
he could kill it and mount it. Instead,
the boy put it into a makeshift cage.
For many years the bird was the pet
Of Louis Schmid, who was practically
confined to his home. At length 1t
died. and Edward determined to get
another bird as a birthday present for
his father.
Thee first dealer he visited had
canaries for $3.50 and $3.50, but
couldn't tell Edward the reason for
the difference in price. His manner
was so short that the boy tried an
other store. The proprietor here was
equally gruff, but Edward bought
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