Evening star., 1939-12-03

4ldUlVdllUS, Wll1Ill SdbCS pdSh W CCS
brate its 74th anniversary on Thurs
Nearly everybody in the Distric
tzation, since, from its very begin
ming, 1t has been prominently be-
fore the public and has kept keen
outlook for the citys welfare and
helped to preserve its early tradi-
tions and history.
From the very beginning, when
this body was organized in the City
Hall, now the Court House, it has
been fortunate in having among its
members, and for its leaders, some
of the most prominent residents of
Washington from all walks of life.
Not all old men, as some might sup
pose. but men who have lived in
Washington for at least 35 years and
have reached the age of so, and are,
naturally, of good character. Today
its members range in age from the
minimum of so years to 81, one
member, Christian Heurich, having
passed that milestone last Septem-
Der -. and unless he breaks prece-
dent, he will be at the banquet to
join in the celebration with his fel-
low patriarchs.
Used by Masons.
Before the Association of the Old
est Inhabitants was regularly organ
lied in the City Hall, a preliminary
meeting was held on November 30,
1865, in the building still standing
at the southwest corner of Ninth and
D streets. This building was occu-
pied, in part. at the time by Gideon
& Pearson, printers, and must have
been erected prior to 1855, for it was
during that year that the Grand
Lodge of Masons moved its head
quarters to this corner, and here
some of the subordinate lodges met.
OF this preliminary meeting The
Star of December l, 1865, had this
to say:
MEETING OF THE OLDEST IN
HABITANTS-Last evening, in pur-
suance to published call for a
meeting of the oldest residents of
Washington, the following named
gentlemen assembled at Masonic
Hall Ninth and D Streets to form
an association: Col. John S. Will
liams. Maj. Thomas Donoho, John
Waters, William Cooper, James Gle
phane, John F. Callan, F. R. Dor
sett, Simeon Matlock, C. Cammack,
sr.: DR.. A. Med Davis, Edmund F.
Brown, John Tretler, George Saw
age, B. o. Sheckell and E. M. Drew.
"Col. John S. Williams was called
to the chair and Mr.. John F. Callan
appointed secretary.
THE secretary explained that one
Of the objects of the meeting was
to form an association. Several
prominent citizens were heart and
soul in the movement, but they
were not able to be out after night,
among them Gen. Timothy P. An
drews, Gen. Weightman, COL Seaton,
Col. Force. Christopher Andrews,
Joseph H. Bradley, Capt. Bestor and
w. A. Bradley.
Selection of Names.
''Mr. j. F. Callan submitted resolu-
tions that the association be called
The Oldest Inhabitants the quail
f1cation for membership being so
years resident in the District and
the payment of ST per annum.
After some debate, the resolu-
tions we're amended so as to make
the qualifications not less than As
years a resident.
"Messrs. James Clephane, John F.
Callan and George Savage were ap-
pointed committee to draft con-
stitution, to be reported to an ad-
journed meeting to be held on
Thursday Thanksgiving Day. at l
o'clock.
"A conversation took place among
the members of an interesting
character, during which it was sug-
gested that each member had many
interesting incidents within his
recollection which were not written
in history, the relation of which at
the meetings would make them very
interesting.
'Mr. Bradley had suggested few
years ago that all the young men
Of their boyhood days be got together
at Analostan Island and spend one
day each year in play as they did
of yore. The school in which some
of them had received their educa-
tion, taught by the fathers of Messrs.
Nicholas and John F. Callan, was
alluded to and pleasant incidents
were related in this connection.
MANY incidents of the War Of
1912 were called up, particularly of
the battle of Bladensburg, the burn
ing Of the buildings at the Arsenal
and the explosion ut that place,