Evening star., 1940-12-08

old enough to recall when it was
founded. but none who could qualify
in age at that time for membership,
though there are some who repre-
sent the second and the third gen.
erations of members who have for
these many years kept alive the
work of preserving matters OF local
historic interest, "reminiscences OF the
past. and the social and paternal
communion of the present and the
future" as provided for by their
forefdthers who builded an organlza-
ton that bids fair TO survive Tor
many years to come.
The year 1865. when the Oldest
Inhabitants was formed. was a
momentous one indeed. Lincoln was
inaugurated President for the sec
ond time during that year, and the
Civil War was brought to an end a
few DAYS later with the surrender
of Gen. Lee at AppomattoX. Five
davs later President Lincoln re-
Ceived a mortal wound at Ford S
Theater. and died the following day.
The Grand Review. which he did
not live to see. soon followed. but
it was left for his successor Presl-
dent johnson. to witness it. Then
came the trial of the conSpiratorS.
and the gruesome execution that
followed
Paper Not Issued.
It was a year full of cllmaXes.
Even Thanksgiving Day was set by
President johnson for Thursday, De-
cember 7. and The Star-which was
then housed in a building at the
southwest corner of D and Eleventh
streets. where the old Post Office De-
partment Building now stands-did
not print a paper that day, as 1t
indicated in its issue of Decem-
Der s:
Thanksgiving Day. - Tomorrow
being the day set apart by the
President of the United States as
day of Thanksgiving and praise
no paper will be issued from this
office"
And 50 we find il was on this
Thanksgiving Day, 1865, that the
Association of Oldest Inhabitants
was organized in what is now the
courthouse. formerly the City Hall,
ard The Star of December 8 carries
the following account of this i'm
portant event. which says:
The Oldest Inhabitants, Yes
terday at O'Clock the Association
of the oldest Inhabitants of the
District of Columbia met at the
fTitv Ha111
suant to adjournment, Col. j. S, Will
liams in the chair and Mr.. j. F. CAL
Ian acting as secretary.
"Mr. James Clephane. from the
committee to draft constitution,
reported the same which was re-
ported by sections. and, after slight
amendments, adopted.
Members Requirements.
The constitution is prefaced with
preamble setting forth that be-
ing anxious to cultivate social in
tercourse and unite ourselves more
closely as original settlers of the
District of Columbia, we have
formed ourselves into an associa-
ton The name of the association
Is the Association of the Oldest In
habitants of the District of Colum-
bia, and persons may be elected to
membership who are so years of age,
and have been 40 years residents
each paying 81 The annual meet
ings are to be held on the 4th of
July in each year. when the cleo
ton of officers shall take place, and
the regular meetings on the first
Thursdays of January, April and
October The officers consist of
president, two vice presidents. treas
urer, recording and corresponding
secretary, who are to hold over till
July, 1867 On the death of men,
ber it is expected the surviving
members will attend the funeral in
body.
When article first was under con-
sideration, Dr.. A. Med Davis sug-
gested the name of the Columbus
Association, not that he was
ashamed of being classed among the
Oldest inhabitants.
Col. B. Ogle Tayloe said he be-
lieved that he was the oldest in
habitant present and he was in favor
of the name Oldest Inhabitants
Col Tayloe said he based his claim
on having arrived here in the
autumn of 1901. He witnessed Presi-
dent Jeferson's second Inauguration,
and recollected that Mr.. Jefferson
wore heavy shoes on that occasion.
At that time the city was a moraSs--
scarcely house on the avenue. In
those days the inhabitants were. as
It were. a band of brothers each
striving to advance the interests of
the city
DR.. Davis said to show old men
we're not querulous. he would with
draw the suggestion.
Proud of Virginia Birth.
"Dr. Blake said that some parties
had regarded him as the oldest in
habitant, and he wished to disabuse
the minds of all such of that i'm
pression-for he had come here in
1907 from Virginia. and he was
proud of being native of that
State. He had seen the city morass
the site of the City Hall covered
with scrub oak. in which he had
set Snares for rabbits. This scrub
oak-covered ground was called the
slashes, but they had all disap-
peared now except in the vicinity
of Meridian Hill.
"Dr. Davis, when the article pre-
scribing the qualifications of men,
bers was under consideration stated
that the word person comprehended
all, and suggested to secure to the
association the enjoyment of its pur-
pose, proper guards be thrown around
it-an election. etc, and the sugges-
ton was acted on.
The election of officers being in
order, the following were nominated
and elected Col. B. Ogle Tayloe,