Evening star., 1948-12-26
Fifty Years Ago

The Star for December 10, 1898, announced
the death of Crickmore, celebrated racing
stallion belonging to the late
Fomous Gov. Oden Bowie of Mary
Roee Horse land Heading the list Of
thoroughbreds in the United
States, the horse had OUTRAGED Hindoo in one
Of the greatest contests ever seen" and at Pim-
lico had won the Dixie and Breckinridge Stakes
"Crickmore was king Of the turf on all East
ern tracks, and Gov Bowie refused fabu-
lous sums for him. In his old age Chez was
tenderly cared for by ex-senator William D.
Bowie, the Governors son."
On December 20, 1898, The Star reprinted
from the Philadelphia Press an account of the
great clock in the tower Of the
Bio Clock City Hall Of the Pennsylvania
Described metropolis ITO most people"
it said, "the marvellous intricacy
and the magnitude of the big timepiece would
prove q surprise. It seems to be popular
opinion that the clock is run by works located
behind the dial and similar to those concealed
in the interior Of an ordinary mantel-shelf
chronometer. The mechanism that controls
the mighty hands Of the city clock Is vastly
different from common clock works. The hands
Of the clock are to be moved by machinery
stationed more than 100 feet below them. The
main mechanism or master clock as 1t Is
called, Is located on the seventh floor Of the
tower" It was reported that t>the entire ma
chine cost the taxpayers of Philadelphia $20,-
000-a much larger sum in those days than it
is now.
H.
In an editorial published on December 81,
1898, The Star declared: 1T has been said OF
Shakespeare that If he were to
Interpreting return to earth he would be
the Greet amazed and amused ut many
meanings ascribed to him by
learned commentators and that he would
scarcely be able to clear up some of the dis
puted passages himself Some such fate as
this might overtake Washington II he were to
return and take up his deliverance the Fare
well Address, as now interpreted in some
quarters. He was honest when in the flesh,
and he would be honest upon second coming,
and if he discovered that he had not spoken
for all time in matters of government he would
experience no modification in admitting as
much panied as some of his commentators
would be at such a confession"
A dispatch from Chicago to The Star Of
December 20, 1898, explained: james H.
Eckels, ex-Controller Of the Cur
Mr. EckeIs rency, is confined to his apart
Hurt ment in the Virginia with
severely sprained knee as the
result Of q fall sustained at fashionable
party. The party was given in honor Of
DR.. Coalides' birthday. It was attended
by about 100 society people, all dressed as
children Mr. Eckles, short Of stature, and
smooth -shaven, looked typical schoolboy in
shirtwaist, knickerbockers and slippers. He
acted It, too, romping and playing like boy
of IL, and kept the party roaring with
laughter. ALI went well until he tried to skate
across the smooth hardwood floor in the dining
room There he fell, and had to be picked up
and removed to the Virginia. His doctor says
his injury is what is known as football knee.
Mr.. Eckels will be confined to his bed for
week or 10 days and will then have to walk
on crutches for several weeks more.f The for
mer Controller was 40 years of age at the
time Of his accident-and president OF the
Commercial National Bank Of Chicago. He
died Of heart disease, April IA. 1907.