Early newspaper stories by H. L. Mencken

              1899

[left column]February 24.

Team Stolen.

A horse, a buggy and several sets of harness, valued in all at about $250, were stolen last night from the stable of Howard Quinlan, near Kingsville, in the Eleventh district. The county police are at work on the case, but so far no trace of either thieves or booty has been found.

Exhibited War Scenes.

At Otterbein Memorial U. B. Church, Roland and Fifth avenues, Hampden, Charles H. Stanley and J. Albert Loose entertained a large audience last night with an exhibition of war scenes by the cineograph.

February 25.

The Maryland State Temperance League will hold its annual convention May 11 and 12, at St. John's Independent Methodist Church, Liberty street. Rev. Dr. Howard H. Russell, superintendent of the American Anti-Saloon League, will be present.

FRIENDS' SCHOOLHOUSE.

Building to Be Erected at Park Avenue and Laurens Street.

Building operations will soon be begun on the schoolhouse to be erected by the Park-Avenue Friends on a lot adjoining their meeting-house, Park avenue and Laurens street. As yet the plans are incomplete in detail, but it has been determined that the structure shall be four stories in height and about 66 feet wide and 54 feet deep. The cost will be about $20,000, which sum has been raised by voluntary contribution.

On the first floor will be a gymnasium, 60 by 30 feet, equipped with every modern appliance for physical culture. Class and lecture-rooms will occupy the second and third stories, and on the fourth there will be a chemical laboratory, library, and studio, with skylight, a manual training department and an observatory.

Prof. John W. Gregg, of the Friends' Seminary, New York, has been chosen as principal. Mr. Gregg is a graduate of Swarthmore and a master of arts of Cornell. At Swarthmore he was awarded the Joshua Lippincott fellowship. He has been very successful as an educator, and comes to Baltimore highly recommended.

To Meet Today.

The Junior Gunpowder Agricultural Club will meet this afternoon at the residence of Benjamin M. Brooks, near Belfast, in the Eighth District. The members will discuss the question, "Considering the Present Low Price of Hay, Would It Not Be Advisable to Lessen the Acreage of Hay for Market?"

Unique Entertainment.

A unique entertainment was given at the Waverly M. E. Church last night by the Epworth League and three of the Sunday-school classes. It was called "Snowbound in a Railroad Train," and arranged by H. W. Russell.

[center column]February 26.

Strawbridge's Pulpit.

At Strawbridge M. E. Church, Park avenue and Laurens street, Rev. Dr. E. S. Todd, the pastor, will preach this morning from one of the oldest pulpits in America. It was built 125 years ago for Robert Strawbridge, the founder of Methodism in this country, and is of the simple and homely design favored by the early churchmen [sic]. The pulpit is at present owned by the Methodist Historical Society, and was loaned to the church for use in the mission-day service. Dr. Todd in his sermon will speak of the life and labors of Strawbridge and Asbury, his colleague, in pioneer Methodism.

February 27.

Rev. Vance Coming.

Rev. James I. Vance, of Tennessee, who has received a call to the First Presbyterian Church, Park avenue and Madison street, will be in Baltimore tomorrow. He will come to assist his brother, Rev. Joseph A. Vance, pastor of the Maryland-avenue Presbyterian Church, in conducting a series of meetings to be held at the latter church during the week. It is not yet known whether or not he will accept the call from the Baltimore congregation.

Y. M. C. A. Anniversary.

The ninth anniversary of the Pennsylvania Branch, Y. M. C. A., was celebrated yesterday by a special afternoon service at the Maryland-Avenue Presbyterian Church, Maryland avenue and Twenty-fifth street., Joshua Levering, president of the local Y. M. C. A; [sic] G. C. Wilkins, Pennsylvania Branch secretary, and the Rev. Jos. A. Vance, pastor of the church, made short addressees.

MOUNT VERNON KINDERGARTEN.

Tea for Its Benefit Given at the Home of Mrs. Woolridge.

The ladies interested in the Mount Vernon-Place Free Kindergarten gave an "at home" for its benefit yesterday afternoon at the residence of Mrs. Robert A. Woolridge, 1709 Park place. The kindergarten is conducted at the Patterson Memorial Church, Hanover and Clement streets. The scholars are taught by Miss Ethelyn Watts and Miss Ganiere, a deaconess. The kindergarten is supported mainly by private subscription, and has been the means during its six years' existence of instructing more than 250 children. Sixty-two names are now on its roll.

The officers are: President, Mrs. Clarendon Gould; first vice-president, Mrs. Clinton Gerard Morgan; second vice-president, Mrs. Robert A. Woolridge; recording secretary, Mrs. Wilmer Brinton; corresponding secretary, Mrs. Charles Slagle; treasurer, Mrs. John B. Sisson; assistant corresponding secretary, Miss Reach. The managers are Mrs. J. B. Phipps, Mrs. John H. Morgan, Mrs. Rosalind Roberts, Miss Nellie Roberts, Miss [C]aroline Smith, Mrs. H. L. Cassard, Mrs. [Ge]orge Davis, Mrs. Evan Reese, Miss [...]y Taylor and Miss Rebecca Hurst.

[right column]February 28.

Tied Up the Street Cars.

A six-horse hay wagon, belonging to James McAfee, of Harford county, and driven by Emory Roberts, colored, was overturned on Greenmount avenue, near North avenue, at 10 o'clock last night. Traffic on the southbound track of the Consolidated Railway's Waverly Line was suspended for nearly an hour.

March 1.

Mr. Lee's Birthday.

Friends of J. Wesley Lee, of Towson, gave him a surprise party at his home last night in honor of his 70th birthday. Mr. Lee, notwithstanding the fact that he has completed the allotted term of a man's life, is still as hearty and active as most men 20 years his junior. Among those present were his daughters, Mrs. James Dumphy, Mrs. Harvey Hook and Mrs. Massenburg, and his son, William Lee.

An Oyster Supper.

An oyster supper was given at the Govanstown M. E. Church last night by the ladies of the Epworth League. Those who assisted were Mrs. E. D. Duncan, Mrs. Clem, Mrs. Herring, Mrs. R. A. Poole, Mrs. James Slade, Miss Ada Bottomer, Mrs. James E. McCauley, Misses Lillie Slade and Bessie Gallagher, Mrs. Sewell and the Misses Parlett.

Funeral of George W. Gardner.

The funeral of George Webster Gardner, who died Saturday, took place yesterday from his late residence, 303 North Carey street. Rev. B. F. Clarkson officiated. The pall-bearers were selected from the Shield of Honor, of which Mr. Gardner was a member. Interment was in Loudon Park, Undertaker Joseph Cook having charge of the arrangements.

Surprise Party.

An enjoyable surprise party was tendered Mr. and Mrs. John Praley Monday night at their residence, 435 North Washington street, in honor of their cousins, Mr. Charles Neurohr and Miss Yetta Neurohr, of Richmond, Va. Among those present were: Misses Elizabeth Kohler and Kattie Lauer, Mrs. Friede, Mrs. and Miss Strohmer, Messers. Joseph Kaiser, Joseph Barrock, John Schulz, John Amrein, Joseph Schulz, William Schul, Anton Cudlin, Frank Novals and Charles Praley.

Gave a Supper.

Waverly Castle, K. G. E., No. 207, gave a musicale and supper last night at Masonic Hall, Waverly and Greenmount avenues. Jacob H. Aull, past supreme chief, and Lamartine Birch, master of records in the grand lodge, were present. The officers of Waverly Castle are: J. W. McCaffrey, vice-chief, and A. K. Wood, treasurer.