Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-08-13
An Esteemed Citizen Photographed.

The Chimney Corner, of this week, has a good
portrait and biographical motto of Mr.. Thos
Berry, of this city. From the letter the follow
ing particulars are gathered: Mr.. Berry was
born in the city of New York. February 10TH
1910, and Is consequently in the sixty-fourth
year Of his age, though he looks several wears
younger. His parents being quite poor, little
Tom had TO look ont for himself at an age when
other boys we're thinking that it was about high
time Tor them TO be going to school. As a lad
he was not afraid of work, for, when a mere
boy. he went TO learn the hardest of all trades
that of stonecutter. He is virtually self-educa
ted, and his requirements are Of no mean order
In mental arithmetic he is without a compeer.
Give him the dimensions of a brick wall or
house, and be can tell how many bricks either
contains without putting pen or pencil on paper
By cultivation his memory is also extraordinary
and wonderfully retentive and vivid.
In 1883 Mr.. Berry wended his way southwark
TO Baltimore. Just about that particular time
work in his line was '.slack." While looking
around for something 10 do. he found himself
one morning without any "change" in his pock-
ct, as many worthy and honorable men before
him discovered themselves in a like predica-
ment. He thought this was hard luck, las he
often did before) 1t was no crime, to be sure;
but 10 be without "change" was incouvenient
il not a misfortune. So one fine morning Mr.
Berry shook the dust OF Baltimore off his feet
and turned his face toward the national capital
with a determined will and cheerful spirits
Although not having dollar in his pockets to
pay his fare on the railroad, he did not stot To
stndy as 70 now he should get there, but, with
other, he walked the whole distance. Here
Mr.. Berry obtained employme on the public
buildings. He had not been at work long in the
city before be secured the contract to do the
wood and stone work Of the United States Patent
ONCE. Upon this contract he was engaged
twenty years He finished it in the year fSi9
IL may seem long tune to have consumed in
its construction; but 1t is immense structure.
and took several millions of dollars to build it.
congress retarded its progress by failing to make
the necessary appropriation TO carry on the
Work year by year When the money stopped
Mr. Berry stopped too. 1t is a magnificent and
imposing edlhce There is no similar building
III this country OF Europe to co mpare with il in
appearance or adaptability for the purpose for
which Il was designed. lie is an i'm posing mon
mlthDle perseverance,. Twenty long years of
earnest hard work, and the husbanding OF it,
savings, arising from the earnings thereof
hgured up handsome balance GU the credit
side OF the ledger for Mr.. Berry and made him
independent of the world in one sense of tba
word Stili he did not fold his hands idly. He
found new employ ment for them In the CspitoI
extension, and he put some finishing touches on
that building, which is the wonder and admra-
ton OF visitors and tourists from all parts of
the world he also put the "wings" on the
City Hall, which has recently been dlsposed of
| to the general government.
Mr. Berry Is the builder and owner of the
opera House, the only fashionable resort of
anuseneht In the city. 1t was burned to the
GROUND something more than year ago: but
| finer structure raised in its stead a few months
after its destruction.
turned his attention IN real s~tt ~, , mas
imnroying CITY nj Wasbin',to,' 49, III ie aaPiuy
long be fbe neatest cIea1aSt VA On VIII, ere
city In the world. III the board of Pnhiic WnrL
keeps on ,.i,.I the Recommendation 81 $500 ~ohs
takes a lively Interest He is aiSo WI, DssiEy
the auction and commission business VII h in
heirS Syiri;;ann WI 'e s'yie Oh tne nrm
5usiness at the corner of street sad Par On
sylvania avenue, in the marble building" THE
My RITZ P.r y" a'ehue'' owned Anu erected by