National Republican., 1882-07-21
OLD REcoLLEcrioNs.
An Ancient Raee-cOursc and cock-Pit in
WnsbIngIon-OtherI InaerentIng Fncta.


II was said that in the Infancy Of the city there
was race course aud cock pit, the central part
where ST. AIMS Infant Asylum now stands.
Our great national course, however, for the third
OF q century Established about 1901 by few
wealthy sporting gcntlemon) was Holmead's.
Mount Pleasant is upon n portion Of 1t. Tho
founders Of II, am credlbly informed, were
DIR. William Thornton Qhe first Commits
soner of Patents), Colonel John Tayloe,
General Van Ness, Washington Parkc Curtis, Of
Arlington; John ID. Threldkili. Of Georgetown,
and George Calvert of Bladensburg. These gem
tlemen have long since been numbered with the
dead This club were accustomed to have an
annual dinner at Arlington, when the genial host
would deliver an address to them. Blooded horses
and Merino sheep, belonging to some of them,
would be grazcd ON the Arlington manor. Mr..
Treldkl was himself great stock breeder on his
estate, Georgetown Heights"
FOR THE FOLLOWING AMUSING ANEcDoTE
of that gentleman in his efforts at stock breeding
am indebted 70 my 1Fiend, Captain ]. Colds:
borough Bruh: When merino sheep first attracted
attention he had obtained some but was anxious
TO add also to his stock. lie had been me-
gotiating for one, and at length it reached Wash
ington. He mounted his horse and rode in
anxious to see and 10 possess IT, The owner had
brought IL on, 1t was splendid animal, and so
was the price Of It. He bought it, engaged cart
and negro driver, hastily addressed note TO Mrs.
Th.eldkill TO prepare good dinner, as g stranger
him, and especially TO have the leg of mutton in
superior style. 1.-THE colored boy who delivers
this takes over splendid ram please sec TO It,"
THE RAM WAS TIED UP
and the preliminaries of the feast arranged. In
reference to the mutton, Mrs. Theldkill consulted
her steward, anc they concluded from the tenor
OF the note that the beast sent in the cart was to
supply the leg of mutton for the festive board and,
accordingly, that costly and fine ram was victim
lied and his plump quarter dressed and md garnished
liminary lbatons at the side-board they were
seated and a generous slice OF the mutton put ON
each plate the guests unanimously decided that
II was very superior, and the sentiment was
heartily indorsed by the host who, turning to his
delighted spouse, inauiTed OF what particular
" 1t was the large ram you sent for the occasion
this morning" 1t was an electric shock, the old
genteman's cue stood out from his head. his faco
assumed an apoplectic hue, and he appeared
dumbfounded; he half rose from his chair, nearly
upset the table, whilst giving it a Tremendous
tones, "D-naton He'll by Cd, madam, with
your d-d stupidity, you have slaughtered
MY MAGNIFICENT MEnIso RAM
that paid three hundred dollars for this morn
ing II was O scene, and so ridiculous that one of
the guests was compelled to absent himself for u
while TO give vent to his risibility On the south.
there stands an old dilapidated brick building,
now used by Westcott g. Co. as a real es.
tate office. 1t was. owned and built by
Fcoeralist politician, who was Killed in
political riot in Baltimore. General Lngan was
the intimate personal and political friend of
he was killed Gusts pronounced his funeral
Grafton, which was regarded as mastor- piece of
its kind, and recollect when boy, this oration
used to appear in the books used for teaching the
rising generation the art of elocution.
GENERAL LISGAN's DAUGHTER MARRIED
q Mr.. William Beverly Randolph, of Virginia.
who was employed in the Treasury Department
for over thirty years. One of their daughte. S
married Washington Custis Calvert, of Maryland
a first cousin of Washington Parkc Custis of Ar
ington and the uncle of the wife OF the writer of
this article. After the destruction of the public
buildings in 1914 by the British this building was
| temporarily occupied by the Navy Department
When the Lingan estate was being set
tied up this building was sold, and pur-
| chased by MIR. Mechlin, and was long
| occupied by that gentleman with his family.
In 1859 my artist friend, Captain j. Goldsborough
Bruf, moved in the house and continued to reside
there until 1870. 1t has seemed strange to me that
capitalist of large means has not before this
purchased this fine property, taken down the old
shell of u building and erected one in Its place
worthy the residence of q retired gentleman of
| means. REX.