Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 February 1912 — Page 2

GEORGE WASHINGTON CHURCH

~ , HE first president of the United States was a church-goer in the true sense of the h word. There have been public men in the \ history of the nation who went to church far more regularly after they were elected to high official positions—or at least after they were nominated for such places of distinction—than they ever did before. auffi Pyf However, it would seem that no such fluctuation in church devotion can be charged against George Washington. He was naturally and instinctively a religious SsEßasii man and he made every effort to attend

divine worship every Sunday, no mat"ter where he might —happen to be. This was the case even in the trying days of the War for Independence. However, Washington was enabled to be most regular in attendance at church when in his home, state of Virginia. And yet, even in the Old Dominion, church-going required much more of an effort on his part than is ex-

acted of the average public man today. Washington made his home, as is well known, on the vast estate known as Mount Vernon, and there was no church on the estate or in the immediate vicinity. Attendance at divine worship involved, therefore, a journey of greater or less length by coach, and this was not alwiys pleasant, as any person may readily surmise who has had experience with the “red mud” of old Virginia in the winter or following heavy rains. That he was as persistent as he was in church-going under such circumstances casts an interesting sidelight upon the character of Washington. George Washington attended,' from time to time, various churches located within driving distance of his home 5t Mount Vernon, but the place”- of worship to which he most frequently repaired was and is located in the town of Alexandria —for, be it explained, the historic edifice stands to this day in a perfect state of preservation. This structure, Christ church,

to give it its proper title, has for more than a century been known as “George Washington’s church," not only because he attended its services more regularly than those at any other church, but because he was a member and a pew-holder at this church. It was, indeed, while Washington was a member that the congregation In the year 1767 built the stately house of worship which has not only defied all the ravages ottime but is in regular use to this day and has been, even within very recent years, the scene of many interesting religious ceremonies. Something of George Washington’s interest in the new church may be surmised from the fact that when it came to assigning pews In the new edifice he outbid all other members in the competition to win first choice of location and subscribed the record-breaking price of nearly ■slßo for the pew upon which his fancy had fallen and which he regularly occupied on almost every Sunday thereafter! This pew is marked with a sliver plate bearing a fac-slmlle of Washington’s autograph, and it is interesting to note that just across the aisle is the pew long held by the Lees of Virginia and which was occupied prior to the Civil war by Gen. Robert E. Lee, the military leader of the Confederacy. The pew which George Washington bespoke when Christ church was first opened and for which he agreed to pay a yearly rental of five, pounds sterling (equivalent to nearly $25) in addition to thf,' thirty-six pounds, ten shillings which he subscribed for it at the outset is now reserved for the use of strangers, and this is a much appreciated courtesy on the part of the present congregation, for, of course, every stranger who visits Alexandria longs to sit in the great square pew which was once occupied by "His Excellency, the General,” and to gaze up /it the high pulpit from exactly the viewpoint of the Father of His Country in the days when he was the most conspicuous participant in the church services. George Washington's* pew In the old church remains to this day exactly as it was when he occupied it each Sunday morning, and this preservetton is a matter of congratulation inasmuch as all the other pews in the church were somewhat changed in style in the, year iB6O. The Washington pew is in reality a double pew, or two pews, bearing the numbers 59 and 60. This pew, which is located on the left side of the church, has two seats, one facing the other, and there is a third cross seat against the way, so that there was supposedly ample room for the Washington family and the relatives or house guests who so often accompanied the distinguished Virginian to chtlrch. In the vestry room of the church may be seen the original official record ot Washington’s purchase of his pew upon the completion es the church, which, by the way, had been under construction for several years. ,< And, speaking of the vestry room, it may be of Interest to- explain that —ingf-on waa himself a vestryman of Christ church. Indeed, rota, ItadM proprietor. th«. tat

33 years of age, was among the first vestrymen chosen when Fairfax parish, to which the town of Alexandria belongs, was created about the year 1765. Jt was a couple of years later that the congregation decided to build a church and the edifice was not finished to the last detail until a few years before the firing of “the shot heard round the world.” From that day to this the exterior of the church has undergone practically no alteration. At one time some alterations were made in the Interior, but later this was wisely decided to have been a mistake and the church was restored to the style of Colonial days. Some of the original fittings, notably the bounding board and the wine-glass pulpit, had disappeared in the course of the transition, but these were replaced by fac-simlles of the originals. Many of the most Interesting objects in Christ church are the genuine originals which were here in Washington’s time. For instance, there ts the elaborate crystal chandelier of solid brass with its twelve candlesticks typifying the twelve Apostles. Nor, indeed, is this the only reminder of the days when the church was lighted by candles, for on the pillars one may yet detect under the paint the marks of the tinder boxes. The chancel rail and mural tablets of the Lord’s Prayer and the Apostles’, Creed, which always arrest the attention of visitors, are relics of the days when George Washington was a leading member of the congregation, and so likewise are the communion table, reading desk and chairs. After all, however, perhaps the most curious of these mementoes of a bygone age are the long-handled purses which were used in Washington’s

Amusing Instance of Efforts to Stop Terrestrial Commotion Comes From Mexico.

While an earthquake is a phenomenon of a nature not likely to be treated with discrespect, still less with Indignity,an Englishmannevertheless tried, 24 hours after his arrival in India, to kick one. He was writing at a table one afternoon when he became aware of an annoying unsteadiness in the furniture. Thinking that this was due to the rubbing of a dog against the leg of the table, the Briton kicked at the beast several times, and it was only when he looked under the still shaking table and saw nothing there that he realized his inability to stop terrestrial commotions. ■An American woman who resided for some years in Mexico also had an experience with an earthquake. She was the mother of two lively small sons. One day they had been especially obstreperous and did not grow quietin' as the time for her siesta and theirs'approached. After' rousing her from her nap two or three times by their antlos, she gave them fair Warning that if there was any further commotion severe punishment would result. Again she dropped off into sleep.

Blamed for an Earthquake

time to receive the offer* Ings of the congregation. The baptismal font, which is much ad mired, is not a relic of the Washington period, although it was put in place Pearly a

century ago. However, the Alexandria church boasts the possession of its first Bible and church service, the Bible having been printed in Edinburgh in the year 1767. Of the latterday contributions to the contents of the historic edifice there may be mentioned the silver plate bearing a representation of the autograph signature OF Robert E. Dee and the twin mural tablets set in place in 1870 which are inscribed in memory of George Washington jmd Robert Edward Lee. These vatious objects are of sufficient interest to attract a continual stream of visitors to the- old church, and while (unlike historic churches abroad) the edifice is not officially open on week days, the sexton can usually be found on the premises and will obligingly open the doors on request and without demanding the inevitable “tip” which is besought by caretakers of similar institutions abroad.

Quite as interesting as old Christ 'church itself " of’“any of Ttsr historic contents is the graveyard which well nigh surrounds the ediflqe and is enclosed by a quaint wall and fence. Here are buried many of the close personal friends and neighbors of General Washington—men and women whose names are well known to history—and the inscriptions on the ancient tombstones seem decidedly odd in the eyes of modern visitors. Christ church is pot located in the most frequented section of the ancient town of Alexandria, but its lofty spire, or rather tower, renders it e|sy for the stranger to identify and find his way to the time-honored brick edifice and on Washington’s Birthday anniversary he has, indeed, but to "follow the crowd." -.

Suddenly she found herself awake and on her feet, with sounds Of banging still in her ears and the room quivering as if from the fall of a heavy piece of furniture. The boys, scared and guilty looking, were in the doorway. She seized the nearer, reversed him and had him half spanked before the excited protests of his brother penetrated to her brain through his anguished howls. Then she became aware that she was spanking him for an earthquake.

To Join Black and Caspian.

Swiss engineers have convinced tho Russian government that it is perfectly feasible to bore a tunnel through the Caucasian mountains near Tilflis, in order to join the Black and Caspian seas. This will be a tremendous undertaking, as the tunnel will be about sixteen miles in length, and the Russian government had practically decided thgt it was beyond the limit of reality. However, the Swiss experts have reported that the tunnel could be built within seven years without much difficulty, but at a great expense. A Paris firm of bankers, it is understood, is supporting the enterprise which will be P nt Into execution about the early part of 191’

VETERANS PASS AWAY

Plank Is Only Member of Original Atheltic Team. Napoleon Lajoie Is the Only "Regular" Who Played in Opening Game at Philadelphia—Four Ciptains in Eleven Years. The “old guard” in the American league is rapidly disappearing, and after a decade of baseball few of the original players who started the season of 1901 jure found in the league in any capacity. The only member of the original Athletic team still connected with the club is Eddie Pljmk, whom Mack secured that year as a young collegian from Gettysburg. Lajoie is the only “regular” who played in the opening game at Twenty-ninth street and Columbia avenue, Philadelphia, who is StlH in the big league. Lajoie lias lost to the Athletics early in the season of 1902 through the injunction proceedings of the late Col. John I. Rogers, then part owner of the Phillies. Many baseball fans are wrong in their opinion that Harry Davis, new manager of the Naps, is the last of Mack’s original team. The first man to play the initial sack for the Athletics wjts Charlie Carr. It was not until the middle of the season that Mack pulled Davis-out of a railroad office to take the job on first base, to succeed Harry Davis as captain of Dan Murphy, who has been selected the team, is the fourth captain ths

Pitcher Ed Plank.

Athletics have had in eleven years. Lajoie was captain the first year and Lave Cross held the job until after the Athletics won their second championship in 1905. The third base hole was a serious problem to Mack for three years. In 1907 he started out with Jack Knight on third. Jack was brilliant, but erratic. Mack finally traded Knight to Boston for the veteran Jimmy Collins. The peerless third baseman found it hard to keep down to playing weight, but Mack started the season of 1908 with Jimmy still on- third. In 1909 Mack started out with Baker on third and Barry at short, which rounded out the present great machine. After the Fourth of July games that year Mack made a gumshoe trip to

Napoleon Lajoie.

Norwich, Conn., and signed Dan Murphy, who joined the team in Boston on July 8, and made a most sensational debut, getting six hits out of six times at bat, including a home run.)

Ban Lifted at Yale.

The ban placed on the freshman class of the Yale Sheffield Scientific School early last fall against taking part in athletic has been lifted by the faculty The punishment was inflicted for the attempted burning of two; bridges and other pranks.

BASEBALL-OGRAPHY OF EDDIE COLLINS

By HOMER CROY.

In a big leather backed Bible resting squarely in the middle of the parlor table close up beside “Paradise Lost” and “The Life and Deeds of Davy Crocket” at Tarrytown, N. Y., where he was born, you can find the rooly treally name of Eddie Collins — EdwJird Trowbridge Collins. All that, just as if it was being called out by the president of the board of education —who is also proprietor of the Elite Feed Store and the Bon Ton Coal Yard—on graduation day at the high school. Seats reserved for fathers add mothers —flowers should be sent to the Sunday school room. The man at the half-way house of the Philadelphia Athletics began being called a phenom so early in life that every night before he went to bed Se spent half an hour greasing his own with cold eream, and every Mme he found a hair on his upper lip he would turn three complete somersaults in the hotel bedroom and jump up and bump his head Jigainst the ceiling until the feeble old lady on the floor above had to telephone for another bottle of smelling salts, y v He Is still one of the youngest of the big league stars; his manager never lets him go out on the street alone at night after nine o’clock, and when the team is out on a tour the rest of the boys have to wash his hands and tie on his night cap. He entered Columbia as a student, but graduated as a baseball player, giving up his time between baseball, football, basket ball, handball, water polo, tennis and track to an earnest study of Blackstone. Laying aside his quarter cover buckram for a full cover horsehide he took up baseball for good at a salary so comfortable that in stepping on a penny weighing machine as a friend was getting off he didn’t care if the thing went back bang! and locked—he had that much money;-. /.

J. KLING IS BOSTON MANAGER

Former Star Backstop of Chicago Cuba Will Lead Bean Eaters In Place of Tenny.

Johnny Kling, for several years the star catcher of the Chicago Cubs, will try his hand at the managerial game. The famous backstop has been chosen as leader of the Boston National league team for the season of 1912, succeeding Fred Tenny, who held down the job last year. Kling has never before- had experience as a manager, but knows a great deal of the'' national game. He has a head that is well filled with gray matter and has had the managerial bee buz-

John Kling.

zing in his bonnet for a long time. Kling played, with the Boston team last season and gave evidence that his baseball days are not yet over. The Boston dub changed hands not long ago and it is believed that the change will result beneficially for the team. One of the men now at the head of the dub is John M. Ward, the famous old shortstop of the New York Giants. Ward and his associates will endeavor to build up a strong

Eddie Seen by Cesare.

In 1910 he came to bat with Cupid in the box and made the home run of his life, and now the two have a home of their own in Clifton Heights, a suburb, of Philadelphia, with a pianola in the parlor and honest-to-goodness chickens in the back yard. He never grows tired of talking about his pianola and his chickens, and to him the sweetest music in the world Is a duet between a pianola and a pullet, with his wife putting the silverware on In the dining room. He can sit back in his bay window with his feet on the window sill and by the cackle tell which one of his hens has laid an egg and which one is up. -- - i He never smokes and never got a larruping in his life for sneaking out behind the millet stack with the rest of the gang and smoking a grapevine until it turned him so far Inside out that he had to hold his epiglottis in with his thumb. He thinks that the man who uses the vile Weed Is going to that region where war Is one continuous program from 11 a. m. till 11 p. m., children in arms not admitted;; 1 but he himself is wild about chocolate ice cream, believing that the other place in the skies is a magnificently fitted up drug store where the seats at the soda fountain are upholstered, and where a chorus of angels play golden harps while pages*lh short trousers flap up on their golden wings bearing straws with cork tips, urging you in silvery tones to have another. The ambition of his life is to write a book—a real book with his name on the cover —and he says the one supreme blissful moment of his existence would be to lay his book on the center table, turn on the pianola, and then have one of his Plymouth Rocks walk up on the porch and crow while his own private ticker inside rattled off the baseball score. (Copyright, 1911, by W. G. Chapman.)

team to represent the National league in the Hub and with this object in view they selected Kling as the manager. Kling is a splendid judge of players and no man in the business can coach them along in better shape. He was long regarded as the strongest single factor in the success of the Chicago Cubs. s

Ebbetts* new park site in Brooklyn is 500 by 600 feet Talking baseball in zero weather is not as foolish ks It sounds. Clark Griffith will block any moves of Detroit to send George Morlarlty to Providence. , Cy Young says Jimmy McAleer was the greatest fielder he ever saw. Yes, this Includes Ty Cobb. - Jimmy McAleer denies that he is trying to trade Tris Speaker to the White Sox for Harry Lord. “Two pitchers are enough," says John M. Ward. We, they might be if they were Walsh and Mathewson. Harry Truby wants a place as umpire in the American asoclation. The veteran worked in the Ohio state last year. Roy Corhan says he will “come back” strong after that beaning. Fred Clarke will take to the bench after a similar experience. Putting baseball under a civil serv* ice commission might be all right If. the commissioners would become disinterested in baseball. Besides' other difficulties Hank O’Day has a race problem on hand at Cincinnati next season. He must settle the Cuban question. Bill Burns, who at last has found a. resting place with the Minneapolis; Millers, the Mecca of major league, “has beens," can read to his heart’s content down in the rathskeller unless. Rube Waddell starts something.

GOSSIP AMONG SPORTS