National Republican., 1883-09-26
WOULDN'T SPARE THE TREES.
An old Sycamore Planted by Judge Brad
Icy Cut Down-Tho Lawyers Indignant.


An Old Sycamore Planted by Judge Brad
Icy Cut DOwn-rho Lawyers Indignant.
Forty-six years ago there were but twenty
three resident lawyers in this city. On
bright May morning in 1887, while largo
number of these lawyers were lettering about
the place where Four-and-a-half street and
Louisiana avenue meet Mr.. Joseph Bradley
now one of the oldest members of the bar,
planted some sycamore seeds. One of them
grew and hourished until it became n tree,
and this tree has been q favorite among the
many of whom have sought and enjoyed its
shade in summer weather. 1t came to be re-
gardcd rs one OF tho landmarks of tho city,
and wns nurscd with tender care by ALL On
one occasion IL was struck by lightning and
slightly shattered, but in spite of
this it grew to bo nearly as
time the seeds were planted. The younger
lawyers, in days gone by, have climbed into
its leafy top, and the bark on its branches
bears the initials Of not few now we'll known
names. Tho elder members of tho bar, who
did not have tho nimbleness to climb, had
their initials cut there by other hands, Nearly
evory limb was covered with initials, which
in many instances were cut so closely together
rs TO he almost illcgible. Mr.. Bradley in par
ticular took it upon himself to look out for
the welfare of tho tree, and ho has saved it
from destruction quite q number of times.
Once, under tho board of public works rule,
it was marked for destruction TO mako
room for the smaller trees, but tho lawyers
exerted themselves to such an extent that IL
was spared. But all trees have their day in
this world, and its day camo at last. It has
been cut down. Yesterday morning, bright
and early, n colored man threw q thick rope
| over one of its limbs and pulled himself up
among them When near the top he drew up
saw, with tho aid of helper, and began to
cut of its topmast branches. Tho tree was
nearly down when the lawyers began to ap-
pear on tho scene. Great indignation was
expressed and they implored tho woodman to
spare that particular tree but it had to go,
and all they could do was TO stand by and
SEQ the heathenish work go on. When Judge
| Bradley, who is So years of age, arrived, the
crowd drew back and let him see what was
being done. With tears in his eyes the old
| gentleman said: 81 feel as though a part of
my life was being destroyed. If 1 were as
young now as when l planted that tree they
should never take it down."
As the day wore on and all traces of the
grand old tree gradually disappeared, the
lawyers gathered up bits of it as souvenirs,
some taking piece for q cane, and others
contenting themselves with mere chips and
twigs. A part of the trunk was shaped into
| q huge block and saved for Judge Bradley.
| All the lawyers were very indignant about
the matter and said that one of the import
| ant landmarks of the early days had been
ruthlessly destroyed.
Workman were also engaged yesterday in
cutting a walk through Judiciary park from
the door leading to the register OF wills office
to the east side of Fifth street. In cutting
the walk two large and handsome trees were
destroyed, while space lined by trees lead
| ing to the two points was available but not
| nc lNt ttryp t,na Il ~n1 n1l
and as there are but few trees in the park,
both will be missed.