Evening star., 1943-06-06
IF. A. Eckstein Centers Interest
|On Fitness and Flowers at 78
Leaves His Garden
Sometimes for Golf
Or Swimming
BY JESSIE FAINT EVANS.

BY JESSIE FAINT EVANS.
Frederick A. Eckstein, 78, who has
taken systematic exercise every
morning of his life since he was a
boy, has made his retirement from
48 years of continuous service in the
Senate post Office such an active
one, he Is now one of the city's most
successful amateur growers of flow
ers.
Of1cials of the Washington Flor
lists Club often have praised the
floral output he achieves under
crowded conditions and by dint of
great dexterity in the handling of
soils, sprays, fertilizer and varying
sized boxes and other receptacles to
make up for the lack OF space III
which he works.
In his tiny, "handkerchief-siz
back yard" at 1861 Eighteenth street
NV, Mr.. Eckstein raises more than
$50 single-stem American Beauty
roses on one bush every spring. When
fall comes, his $50 chrysanthemums
and asters attract attention. He
starts these in sand under glass,
then transfers them gradually from
dlfterent-sized flower pots, until
finally they reach their full maturity
In 8-inch containers. Many of these
find their way to i'll friends and to
the sick and suffering in Washing
tons hospital wards.
CereuS Brings Admirers
His night-blooming cereus annu-
ally attracts visits, not only from his
own immediate Mount Pleasant
neighbors, but from their friends
throughout the city. To facilitate
the display of the beauty of this
cherished plant when it is in bloom,
Mr.. Ecksteln has rugged up an in
genlous electric light arrangemnt of
his own contriving
In this month of school COM
mencements and prize awards, Mr..
Eckstein cherishes several interest
ing awards of his own early school,
days at the old Abbott Public School.
Below a steel engraving certificate
OF award portraying the youthful
George Washington as a surveyor.
his teacher, Miss Sally Dalton, and
j. Ormond Wilson, superintendent
OF schools in the centennial year
1876, especially commend Frederick
A. Eckstein for his excellent stand
ing In the annual examinations.
Still another award signals him out
for his skill in penmanship."
Years later. Frederick Eckstein's
facility with his pen came to the at
tention of c. w. Seaton, director of
the census, who promptly desig-
mated him as his proxy in signing
his name to the overwhelming
amount of mail which was crossing
his desk.
His long career in Government
service began at IL, when he was
appointed page in the Senate. His
appolntee was Carl Schurz, who had
ned from Prussian tyranny in his
native Germany with a band of fell
low refugees and had become a great
leader in American politics and
Senator from Missouri.
Became Postmaster.
When he became too old to con-
tlnue as a page, he served as a
Senate mail carrier. Later he was
made clerk of the Senate Post Office.
us assistant. postmaster, and finally
its postmaster.
One OF his delightful recollections
OF White House hospitality centers
about the breakfast which President
Coolldge gave to the Senate en-
ployes, with his much-publicized
lack of loquaciousness being conspic-
uously absent on that occasion.
Mr.. Ecksteins athletic distinc-
tons began with his attainments
as a champion swimmer in 1882.
when he was l6 years old. Against
% contestants. all older, he was
awarded a medal for coming out
flrst IN three-mile swim on the
Potomac River from Marshall Hall
toward Washington. Then other
medals and awards followed in quick
succession. He was also a member
of the Aanalostan Boat Club. for
which his brother, Otto G.. Eek
stein, who later became a member
OF the Kansas State Legislature and
a power in Kansas politics, was
stroke OF a winning crew against its
deadly rival, the Potomac Boat Club.
Continues to Swim.
AT his advanced age Mr.. Eckstein
still keeps up his swimming and has
strong convictions that all young
people should be taught to swim, not
only Tor. safetys sake but because
OF the advantage swimming has as
an exercise that can be enjoyed
until late in life.
For 10 years, too. he was president
OF the D. c. Bowling League. and
was star bowler of the District in
1906 and 1907. He played on the
single team which participated in
the champions of America bowling
contest held in Baltimore in 1910.
Nor did Mr.. Ecl1stein neglect the
arts. In the Georgetown Amateur
Orchestra. conducted by the late
Joseph Kaspar, he played solo parts
on the either at the annual concerts
held. in the Congregational Church,
for many years the largest place of
public assemblage in this city. With
his brother Otto, who was a noted
elocutionist, he also belonged to
Washington's famous Dramatic Club.
Its membership included such dis
tinguished talent as Wilton Lackav.
Charles B. landlord, Annie Lewis,
Tim Murphy, Clarence B. Rheem