Evening star., 1945-02-18
Fifty Years Ago

Life was much simpler so years
ago. For instance, The Star had no
hesitance on February
Neither 6, 1895. in letting it be
Garments known to its readers
that: Pants for thou
sands" were available at the pants en-
poritm of the Plymouth Rock Pants
Co., 943 Pennsylvania avenue. "A
big stock Of samples, each Just big
enough to make pair of trousers, came
In last night, and early customers will
be able to make their pick of some
handsome patterns at remarkable prices.
These pieces of cloth come from western
houses that need money worse than
woolen goods, and the local establish
ment is overfowing with bargains"
~ + **
The Star on February T. 1895, chron-
icled fire which destroyed the ancient
mansion at Oxon Hill,
Fire at Md. opposite Aexan-
Oxon Hill dria. 1t was stated that
the blaze removed zone
Of the old landmarks which are famous
In this part Of the country" Further,
"the house Is said to have cost $75 900
and was built In the latter half of the
17th century by Col. John F. Addison,
the first Of the name who came to
this country. For five generations the
property passed from father to son,
when 1t was sold in the early part of
this century by Rev. Walter Addison to
Thomas Berry. In recent years it was
known as the Berry mansion" The
original Mr.. Addison, it seems. was
graduate Of oxford University and paid
tribute to his alma mater in naming
his estate. Sumner Welles' beautiful
home has carried on the title since 1928,
but it stands on a somewhat different
location.
Nobody living i've decades back could
be expected to foresee the japanese
attack upon Pearl
Defense Of Harbor in 1s41, but
San Froneisco the guarding of the
Pacific Coast, Of
course, was a responsibility accepted by
the Government. In The Star Of Feb
ruary 8, 1895, it was noted that: 'The
Golden Gate is to be protected by three
Of the biggest guns in the United
States" specifically guns as long as
seven average sized guns" Each of the
trio Of weapons was to weigh n tons.
Two "blasters" were to be placed at Fort
Point Bluffs and one at Lime Point.
Probably they still are doing duty.
Maj Gen. John McAllister Schofield
having been nominated and confirmed
lieutenant general in
GeneroIs recognition of his services
Proteoes as commanding general of
the Army in succession to
Philip H. Sheridan, appointed two young
officers his aides. The Star for February
., 1895, explained that one of these was
his son, Capt. Charles Schofield, and
that the other was Capt. Tasker H. Bliss,
then relatively unknown but destined
subsequently to win durable place in
the history Of his country as member
of the Supreme War Council in France
in 1917 and 1918 and member Of the
American Commission to Negotiate
Peace in Paris in 1918 and 1919.
An editorial in The Star Of February
II, 1895, praised the martyred sixteenth
+. President Of the United
Tribute to States in these words: by
Lincoln no means averse to the
celebration OF holidays,
the American people may nevertheless
be charged with something that ap-
proaches closely to neglect in connection
with an anniversary which Is today
remembered in few places by COM
paratively. few people. It may at this
time be too much to ask that the whole
country, without regard to prejudices
that are slowly passing away, should
unite to harmoniously commemorate the
birth Of Abraham Lincoln, but it is not
unreasonable to suggest that there Is
profit In setting aside the twelfth day
Of each succeeding February rs . day
for Americans who love liberty and
righteousness TO discuss theI character
and admire the tyle greatness Of one
who In years to come win Be awarded
la ,.aa~k L..