Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-06-11
nFMINISCENCES OF LIFE IN
WARRINGTON.
sketches of Notable Men and WO.
men and OF Stirring Events Dur
ing a Period of Twenty Years.
HOTELS AND GAMBLING SALE

In the year 1St5 and for several years later,
there we're but three hotels Of any importance
u washington, and these were THE National ~
"Brown's," ana Fuller's Indian Queen Hotel, y
which latter establishment occupied the pres.
ent site of Wizards but the number OF board
Ing houses was beyond computation, and they
derived their chief support from members Of
Congress, whose compensation was but S. per
day. The tone of public morals at this time
was not Of an elevated character. The city
abounced with haunts of dissipation, the most
there We're more than g IN Penn
sylyania avenue, between the Capitol and the
Treasury one OF the most elegant OF these
walk OF the Capitol. and was literally palace
of sin, being as beautiful in all its appoint.
ments as wealth and good taste could make It.
Its proprietor was man OF considerable nat
urai refinement and culture, and descendant
OF one OF the Oldest and most ar1stocratic FAM
lies OF Maryland. This famous house was fire.
quented by many members of Congress. one OF
whom, who was an expert In the use of cards
and utterly reckless In riSkiDg his money at
the gaming table, won SO large sum OF money
Ia one night that the bank Of the proprietor
was broken and his perniclOuS business Tempo
rarity suspended. Another house, however
was purchased in the vicinity OF the Treasury
building. but before it could be put into opera
lion Its proprietor was suddenly arrested by
the hand OF death, and his game OF life thus
terminated forever.
TUE GAMBLEs's wIFK-A BRILLIANT WOMAN
The wife OF this noted gambler WAS ons of
the most beautiful and accomplished women
in Washington, and resided on New jersey
avenue In large brick house built at ab oct
the time this city became the seat of the
national government. Her drawing room was
elegantly furnished and all her surroundings
evinced refined and highly cultivated taste.
Her society was c0urted by the educated men
and women OF Washington and by many OF those
who visited this city during period OF 20 years
H..
IectuAl were the c0terieS which she drew
around her that the elegant apartments In
which she entertained her guests were not
inaptly compared to the famous salons OF
.MadRmes Nec6ar, Recamier and other noted
women conspicuous In the history OF France.
This remarkable woman was passionate lover
OF poetry. and occasionally wrote verses which
were marked by musical rhythm and beauty Of
Imagery. She was also Skilful musician and
ready composer, many OF the songs With
which she occasionally delighted her visitors
previous TO her death she conSecrated much OF
her time and ample f0rtu ne TO deeds or charity
In the novels and prisons OF the city. Her life
was one or unceasing activity; yet despite the
many varied and trying scenes through which
she had passed. she retained to the last al the
beauty and ylvacity OF her early years. Her
death produced feeling OF profound GRIEF,
and eloquent tributes to her Character
appeared In the city newspapers. Among
the mourners at her funeral were Presl-
Gent Buchanan and members Of his
Cabinet, while the walk In front OF her resi-
denee was thronged by many weeping men and
women. many or them In rags, and even little
Children, who had been the recipients Of her
charity.
ELECTION OF ROBERT G. WINTHROP To THE
srEAKEBsHIP-F0YEs BAR ROOM.
At the commencement of the SOth Congress, In
December. ISL. Robert C.. Winthrop, OF Massa-
chusetts, was chosen Speaker OF the House OF
Representatives AT that time the Capitol was
q nm Iar
the committee rooms being supplied with
whisky. furnished by the members at their own
expense, While open bars were maintained
In the senate and House wings of the building
In the basement OF the House wing was bar
room, Kept By good natured freshman named
Jonn FOye, which was such fayOriUe resort
for many OF the Representatives, that the
House would occasionally find Itself without
quorum and be compelled to dispatch an officer
10 THIS attractive spot to summon the absen-
tees. This nuisance was abated by Mr.. Via
throp, whose order for its suppression was one
OF his hrst Official acts after his election TO the
Sponsorship. This BAR room, together With the
one In the other wing OF the Capitol, had been
Kept open for many years In direct violation OF
Joint rule OF Congress forbidding the sale or
exposure CT ardent spirits within the walls of
The Capitol or on the grounds adjacent.
AN ECCENTRIC CONGRESSMAN.
one OF the most eccentric mem oers OF the
House, at this time. was Felix Grundy McCon-
neil, OF Alabama, tail, we'll built man OF nat
urally graceful and polished manners bit who
was subject TO occasional fits OF drunkenness
when be would sometimes disturb the dignity
OF the House By his eceentrfcfties Of speecu AMI
action. He would frequently enter tue nall
wearing dressing gown or flaming co!oTs
WITH cap ana slippers 10 match, and smoking a
cigar. be finally put an end 10 his eXtsCelce
10y staobing himself TO the heart with a pen
Knife While In lit or delirlum trenens. Atthe
lme CT Ills death he resided at the ST. Charles
Hotel
ABRAHAM LINCOLN IN CONGRESS
In December, 1SiT, Abraham Lincoln took his
seat in Congress as q representative from the
state OF Illinois. 1t was not long before he be-
came great favorite With the members and
officers OF the House, for his genial manners
pleasant voice and ready wit gave him mag
netic influence on all who came within his
social sphere. he possessed but few personal
attractions his figure being tall aud ungainiy;
but these deficiencies were amply compensated
Tor Dy his many shining qualities OF mind ana
heart. He was fluent and ready speaker, and
bis speeches. were remarkable for their direct
less and precision. although lacking In rhetori-
cal grace and finish. He possessed a ricn and
1nexhaustibie fund of Wit and humor, to which
be gave expression In anecdotes and quaint o.
seIyaC0nS. Which Ii was pleasant to listen to.
Whenever he obtained the floor to speak the
House gave him IT'S undivided attention, and
never tailed TO greet bis sallies OF wit and quick
TeparteeS with laughter and applause One OF
the most remarkable OF his speeches during
bis first and only term In Congress was de-
lvered In July, le4s, In reply to one made
few days before by Mr.. Iverson, OF Ga. The
subject OF Mi. Lincoln's speech was military
coat Tai.S-P III the speech of Mr.. IverSon, that
gentleman accused the whtg party of having
deserted all their principles and taken shelter
under the military coat tail OF Gen. Zachary
Taylor, the candidate OF the party for the pres
idency. In the course OF his reAarks, Mr.. Lin
coin proceeded TO show that the democratic
party were amenable TO similar charge hav-
Ing for twenty-five years relied upon The mil
Itary reputation OF Gen. Jackson for success, he
having teen made President out of IL for eight
years, While enough OF ii remained TO make
PRESIDENTS of several comparatively small
men who succeeded him, and still relying upon
the party at that time; their campaign papers
everywhere declaring that Cass and Butler
were OF the true hickory stripe" Towards
the close OF his speech, Mt. Lincoln poured
torrent or ridicule upon the military reputa-
ton OF General CaSS, and then alluded 60
his own exploits as a soldier In the Black
Hawk war, ." where" he continued, II fought,
Died and came away. IL Gen. CaSS saw any
live fighting Indians at the battle OF the Thames
where he served as id-de-cannp 70 Gen. Harrl-
son, 1t was more than l did; but had good
many bloody struggles with the moSq uitoe5
and although ! never tainted from the loss OF
blood, can truly say was often very hungry"
''Mr. speaker" added Mr.. Lincoln. IF | should
ever conclude 10 don whatever our democratic
frfends may suppose there Is OF black-cockado
take me up as their candidate for the Presiden-
cy, protest they shall not make fun OF u.s. az
they nave or Gen. CaS5, by attempting TO write
me Into military hero"