Evening star., 1944-11-26
Fifty Years Ago
The Star for November II. 1894, con-
tanned an editorial which reflected q

u
certain impatience with
Greet Mems the tardiness of rich and
Memorials powerful nations in pro-
viding suitable monu-
ments for celebrated servants of the
public good. France" it was observed,
made several unkind remarks some
years ago about the procrastination of
Americans apropos of the delay in pre-
pairing suitable tomb for Gen. Grant.
1t is not to be argued that those words
OF reproach were unwarranted or un-
deserved. The citizens of New York
were greatly remiss in this matter" But
critics are often blind to nearby faults.
Victor Hugo's cof1n In the Pantheon of
Paris rests today upon the temporary
trestles upon which 1t was set on the
day Of his funeral about 10 years ago.
At the time OF his death there was a
great outburst Of sentiment, richly de-
served in the case of this great man of
letters, and there was a rush toward a
fund for the erection of splendid mon
ument to the novelist. But the enter
prise has slumbered and today the sub
scrtptions are few and small. Can it be
that the volatile French nature is not
even stable enough to be true to the
great dead Of the Nation? Is it possible
that the unsentimental Yankee, intent
upon business and in too much of a
hurry for tears, has more lasting mem
mory for illustrious names than the ex-
uberant Frenchman? Why would it not
be a good thing for the American lovers
OF Hugo to chip In now and
build this long-neglected monument?"
~
How w. S. Gilbert the Iibretto-writ-
ing partner of Sir Arthur Sullivan, was
bested by "a lady who
Shorp styles herself the Com
Reioinder tesse de Fremont" and
practiced the profession
OF journalism under that title, was re-
vealed in The Star for November 10.
1894. by Mr.. Gilbert himself. In q letter
to the London Times, it was explained,
he had confessed that, In order to
avoid being interviewed for publication
by the Comtesse, he had written to her
that his terms" were 20 guineas Der
interview. The lady answered to the
eject that: She anticipates the pleas
ure Of writing his obituary notice for
nothing" But she had to wait until
1911 for the opportunity she desired,
and meanwhile Mr.. Gilbert gathered
unto himself wel-merited knighthood.
+ =
Half century ago, according to The
Star for November 20, 1894, Miss Maude
v. Watkins was ex-
Moude's Birthdoy actly IL years old
Party and that was very
interesting age to be
at least in the estimation of her
brother, DR.. Victor E. Watkins, who
then was 23. To celebrate the little
sisters birthday anniversary, the young
physician arranged what was described
as "a very enjoyable gathering" of her
friends at his home, 1910 Sixteenth
street NV. Games and dancing were
features Of the program, with Miss
Mabel Wollard presiding at the piano
and Mrs. J. L. Voorhees,, Mrs. K. B.
Wood and other adults assisting in
serving the refreshments The chill
dren present included: Helen Dent,
Hilda Tyssowski, Ethel Voorhees,, Alice
Hoffman, Ethel Launt, Alice Whynne,
Fannie Hamlin, Bessie Boyd, Helen
Lamb, Oona Seaman, Harold Voorhees,
Claude and Don Edmonds, Leroy and
Leon Wertenbaker, John and De Forest
Wollard. And now, after five decades,
where Is Maude and where Is her
brother? A phone call Of inquiry
brings the answer: Maude is. Mrs. w.
H. wilkinson Of Berkeley, Calf, with
grown son In the service of his
country, and Dr.. Victor and his wife,
who as Miss Wollard, presided at the
piano." reside at 1000 Cathedral ave-
nue. NV, still proud Of being "real
Washingtonians."
The Star Of November "a, 1894, print
ed on the front page the news Of the
death Of VIII
Connoisseur liam r. Walters,
Philonthropist Dies zone Of the
W0aAt1lAG0t ana
best known citizens Of Baltimore" He
succumbed to what was described as
paralysis Of the stomach" at his home,
5 Mount Vernon place, In the Monu-
nent City. The story Of his career
told Of his development Of the Atlantic
Coast Line Railroad system. Of which
he was president. and his multitudinous
financial interests. But 1t stressed the
Altruistic oide of his life. reporting at