Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1938-08-21
Proctor
Continued From Page CAY

later. Johns Restaurant, occupied
quarters in the basement.
This particular lodge met on Tues
day evenings and besides dancing there
was always program put on by the
young people. where was frequently
recited, punch. Punch, Punch With
Care" and other pieces popular back
in the Dos. "Larboard Watch" and
"Babys Left the Cradle" were the
songs usually sung by immature talent.
However, every one had a good time
and went home sober and happy.
Few Of the real old-time pioneers
In Washington temperance work are
living today Probably the most ac-
tive and conspicuous of those, still in
terested In the work, is John r.
Mahoney, who is about 90 years of age,
and though naturally not as young as
he used to be, to all appearances
he seems to be hale and hearty,
Mr.. Mahoney is, and has been for
years, the financial secretary of the
Association of Oldest Inhabitants, and
few years ago gave the writer infor-
nation regarding his activities In the
temperance movement in this city.
especially in connection with the
Rechabites. Of which he has occupied
about every local and national Office
and having been for the past quarter
OF century the High Tent secretary.
Mr.. Mahoney told the writer that
he was made member of Eagle Tent
on January 16, 1865. being trans
ferred from the juvenile branch of the
order at that time, and has continu-
ously been active in the work. He says
that the Rechabites were organized
here under unique circumstances. It
seems that in January, 1S47, Capt.
John Mills, one of the original officers.
Of the washington Light Infantry,
commissioned by President Lincoln as
a captain in the Civil War, happened
in the paint shop of w. T. Porter,
while in company with Charles B.
Beveridge.
This store was then on the south
side Of Pennsylvania avenue near
Sixth street, where stood for many
years the st. James Hotel.
AL cAiOcC Aoyoy dStoA Wig W u11
Mahoney, the manufacturers of gold
leaf, in order to stimulate an interest
In the Bible, cut up old and WORKOUT
copies of the Scriptures and used the
papers to separate the gold leaf 1T
was in this way and at this time that
one Of them noticed one of the inter-
leaves lying on the floor. and though
soiled somewhat with tobacco stains,
still it was readable Upon being
picked up by Capt. Mills it was found
to be that part of the Holy Bible con-
tanning the thirty-fifth chapter of Jer-
emiah. Mills and Beveridge became
greatly impressed, and determined to
form an order, to be known as the
Rechabites. This, however, they found
upon inquiry had already been done
elsewhere in the United States and
in England, the former as the Inde-
pendent Order Of Rechabites.
Soon they had arranged with. the
parent body for charter. and on Feb
ruary 3, 1847, Mount Vernon Tent,
No. 208, was organized in the hall over
the livery stable of Walker g. Kimmel.
on c street, near the National Hotel,
the charter disclosing the names. Of
Christopher Spence, John Mills. John
Morrell. G. B. Beveridge. w. Nailor.
Christopher Cammack, w. H. Fan
ming, Edward Speaker, Michael French
and John Simmons. -
A temperance organization which
had its beginning here and which
spread throughout the States, and
fourished for many years was the Sons
Of Jonadab
Its minutes book shows that the
first meeting was held here, at the
residence of Asbiry Lloyd, 3s9 e
street (old numbering), on September
Is, 1867, nearly II years ago. At this
initial meeting there were present
Samuel c. Mills, E. c. Eckloff, James
J. Campbell, Asbury Lloyd, W. p.
J LAselle and James Croggon.