Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-09-02

Annual Reporf Of Gen. Ba6coek.


OF Columbia for the fiscal year ending June
3oth, 1876, has been transmitted TO the chief
OF engineers OF the army. Its main features
are as follows:
PRESIDENTS GROUNDS.
Inc Improvement OF the grounds south OF
the Executive mansion have been confined
almost exclusively TO the nlling Of the lower
portions, and Al, ITO cubic Yards of earth
were purchased for this purpose In mont
OF the Executive mansion the walks have
sure just south OF the house a large Sountsin
bowl was erected and supplied with neces-
sary water, drain pipe and jet The bowl is
20 feet In diameter and feet inches In
depth at centre, is the largest bowl con
structed by this office, and with one excep-
ton is the largest one In the city. II was
composed OF over 500 small sprays the effect
OF which is very pleasing.
MONUMENT GROUNDS.
These grounds, the report In substance
blue grass and rye; 961 trees Of different
genus have been set out. Gen. b. says these
grounds Will have an unfinished appearances
SO long as the shaft of the monument re-
mains In Its present unfinished condition.
The additional Improvement TO the grounds
enumerated ia the report are the removal OF
temporary wooden buildings which were
upon them; the building OF an egg shagsd
brick sewer, feet inches in diameter, I'M
der the main roadway, 10 displace a wooden
one; the outlet near the river was rip raped.
In connection with this culvert two brick
sewer lodges, one on either side OF the road
way, were built for the purpose or collecting
the surface water from the main road way at
that point, which would otherwise ind its
way over the roadway and embankment into
the river TO the damage OF both. A connec-
ton was made with one of these lodges so
that At some future time the drainage from
the nursery grounds can be led into it, In
ste ad OF directly into the river rs IL now is.
An inch sewer pipe, which extends 90
feet In northeast direction to near 1ith
street, for the purpose OF carrying of the sur
face drain age of the lower portion of the
ground through which 1t passes, and which
can also be used TO receive the lateral tile
drains from either side of IL. when tney are
laid, was connected with one of these lodges
Speaking OF the artificial lake in the
grounds, the report recommends further ex-
cavation for a depth of four feet OF water
The lake, as finished, contains acres and
1918 square feet, The extension OF Virginia
avenue from IL tn street through the marshes
TO the high land In these grounds was com
pleted. The work of creating a lake out OF
mat portion lying north of II, and extending
s 10 p street. was commenced and partly
is an island containing an area OF $50
square feet, on which there were a number of
large trees. Some OF the more unsightly
ones were cut down, and the others trimmed
In TO proper shape, and few young ones set
out. This island was outlined ant raised
some two feet TO proper grade, the excava-
tons from the marsh being used for that
purpose. The soil thus thrown up, being
unht for grass, was sown with corn 70 par
TALLY exhaust IL, and render IL suitable for
lawn grass.
SMITHSONIAN GROUNDS
Two thousand and thirteen feet OF water.
pipe for irrigation were laid in the northern
portion OF the grounds. Five hundred and
thirteen evergreens and deciduous trees were
set out in these grounds. The greater por-
ton OF them were placed In the ne WY graded
ground along b street north; those requiring
IL were protected from damage from winds
by being carefully fastened 10 stakes driven
into the ground.
The iron gates aud stone pillars at the 10th
street entrance, on north b street, were re
moved, thus opening TO these grounds
another entrance for carriages. Two lamp
posts were erected near tue entrance. A ppr-
ton OF the iron railing on stu street, oppo-
site the Center market, was removed, max
Ing an entrance 10 the grounds at this poiat
for pedestrians.
ARMoRY SQUARE.
One carriageway and several footwalks,
containing some 7,2ls square yards, were
excavated and graveled. The earth taken
from them was used In filing the portions
near the Baltimore and Potomac railroad
depot which were below the established
grade. The roadway and walks were care
fully rolled. One OF the marble fountain
bowls taken from the west Capitol grounds
was placed In these grounds, az the inter
section Of the two carriageways, and sup
piled with the necessary water and drain
pipes and jet. The smaller fountain bowl,
moved. The grounds were thoroughly light
ed; twenty seven lamp posts and lanterns
were set, the necessary gas mains were laid
2,os4 feet, a,sso Of one-inch. and 20 feet OF
three quarter inch gas pipe. The main sew
er pipe leading through these grounds be-
coming choked In several places, was taken
up, cleaned and otherwise repaired: A row
OF deciduous trees was planted along the
main roadway. One hundred and ninety
other trees OF various varieties were planted
trees Hsps during I shs winGer
they were removed when the ground was
frozen. which prevented the disturbance OF
the earth about the roots.
LINCOLN soUARE AND STATUE.
A great portion OF the report IL devoted TO
what has been done In reservations which
consists principally in restoring 70 the estab-
OF lamp posts; the placing and removal OF
trees. In Lincoln square, the report says:
ga grand PEDESTAL, authorized by act of
signed under direction OF this office, con-
tracted for with the Bodwell Granite Com
pany, and erected to receive q bronze group,
the slaves by President Lincoln. In this
group President Lincoln Is represented In
the act of breaking the chains from Q slave.
artse ss y b an
donated By the colored citizens OF the United
States, the funds for procuring II having
been donated in small amounts. the 1rst one
being for the sum of IS from an colored wo-
man uamed Charlotte Scott, who forwarded
that amount to the Western Sanitary Com
mission, OF st. Louis, upon her hearing Of
the proclamation Of emancipation, with the
request that the same might be used In pro-
curing statue OF President Lincoln. The
commission accepted the trust, aud from
such small beginning the fund increased 10
some SIS 600, with which the group was par
chased. At the request OF the commission
1t was received by this Office and placed In
position. 1t arrived In perfect order, was
uppacked and placed On the pedestal April
Ii and unveiled April IL, (the anniversary
OF the assassination OF President Lincoiu.1
In the presence OF the President OF the United
States members OF his Cabinet and OF the
Supreme Court, Congress. and many other
citixens- As work OF art this group Is pro-
nounced rs one OF the finest In the city aud
In great ornament and attraction TO this
square,"
IN JUDICIARY SQUARE
217 trees were planted; Q cooole-stoue gu tier
was laid along the southern side OF the walk
leading northeast from the City Hall build
Ing, and contested with the sewer tran a
the corner OF e street. A lodge house A In
course OF construction, which will be COM
pleted In July. It win contain Q watch.
mans room, tool house and two water clos
en-one for either Sax. In accordance with
an oct approved June q, 1874,
THE OLD JAIL BUILDING
IN this square was advertised for sale. Be
lore the time OF sale arrived, and without
committing this ONCE, the Commissioners OF
the District secured the ponU8xo Of 4 Joint