The Morning herald., 1876-02-15
A CHRONICLE.

A CHRONICLE. |
AN OLD WILMINGTON CLUB-FITTINe UP |
NEW QUARTERs-AN INTERESTING RET |
RoPROsPECT-AN OLD CLUB IN AN OLD |
MANSION WITH HISTORY.
For many years there has existed quietly |
in this city club, which in its way has quite |
an eventful and interesting history. It has
from time to time been composed of aome Of
the most respectable and noted members of
the bar who have resided here. At one time it |
was quite political organization, but has
for years been social and intellectual in its
character. Among its members have been
the Bayards, the Gordons, the Rodneys, and
other lawyers Of distinction and eminence.
It has been known only to limited number,
and is quite select in the choice Of its mem
bers. A portion of its history is connected
with important events in the history Of the
State, and now that it has been re-organized,
we deem mention of the existence, and we
may add antiquity Of the club not entirely
out of place.
It has been reorganized after the style Of
the celebrated English Golden club, and
will soon remove to new quarters, on Market
street, which are being prepared for II. The
club house which will soon be ready for oc-
cupancy, is the old building on the west
side of Market street, above Tenth, which is
now owned by Judge Wooten, and which
like the organization about to occupy it
has an interesting history. Its curious arch
itecture has attracted the attention OF most
every stranger who takes walk up Market
street. Its unique arched porch and gener-
al appearances Of solidity, contrast strange
| lv with the rather loosely constructed build
ings around it.. But if the exterior Of the
old mansion is striking, the interior is equal
w surprising. The saloons arc full of odd
alcoves and curiously formed inches
and the ther rooms seem to have been
suggested by some genius of oddity. Yet
the most surprising feature OF the house are
the subterranean chambers, forming into
their entirety abarynth whose solid arched
windings seem to lead no one knows where:
! The building is said to be haunted by evil
spirtts. and several families who have re-
Gently lived there have suddenly vacated it,
because of unearthly visitors, 60 It is said.
It il certain that the superstitious, who are
at all acquainted with the building, steutly
assert that the place is inhabited by beings
of the other world, and it has been impossi-
BILE lately to obtain tenant, even though
tho building has been offered free ofcost.
The house was built by VIM. Marshall
Rogers, Esq, in 1845, who was celebrated
LAWYER, and both District Attorney and
States Attorney in this State, and was de-
scendsd from an old Delaware family, re-
lated to the Booths. Mr. Rogers was an
architect as well as lawyer, and the house
was built after his own plan. His wife was
a grand daughter Of Commodore Barney,
who fought 50 gallant at Bladensburg, and
who was also engaged in the first navy bat
tie ofthe Revolution in which he captured an
armed ship at the mouth of the Delaware,
and was rewarded for his gallantry,
upon . visit to France by the beautiful
Marie Antionettee who kissed him in public.
Mrs. Rogers was also grand daughter
Of Judge Chase one of the signers of the
the Declaration of Independence, and
was daughter of Mrs. Barney, who wai
celebrated for her letters against Gen. Jack
son. Mr.. Rogers was formerly resident o1
New Castle, and was interested in the
Davis will case, which was overthrown BY
tho Court, and 1t was charged that Rogers
forged the will, which 90 weighed upon him
~ to hasten his death. r
| Tho last person who has lived in ths
house was the son Of Judge Wooten, who
married the daughter of Ex-Governor Bur
ten.
The house Is now being painted for tht
use Of the clnb by Mr.. Gibson Of this city
who discovered in tearing off the papers
that the walls had been beautifully frescoed
The club will use only the first floor, one o
the rooms tho one fronting on Market stree
will be the grand saloon, and will be spleDd
idly furnished. There will also bs restaur
ant room and couple Of private retiring
rooms The cellar will be used as win
q vault, where the liquors of the club will b
slowed. The entire establishment will b
upon grand scale, and club chambers will
b exceeded in comprehension by fev
flrst-class club rooms in the country. TIL
club 10 known as the Wilmington Literar
Association, and will be conducted mucl
after the manner Of the Golden Club q
London.
A rain storm which set In Sunday night
in New York, continued yesterday, and lal
night had increased in violence and force