National Republican., 1883-09-18
JUDICIARY SQUARE.
How the Place Used to Look Before,It Looked
as II Does Now.
ReoolIsctIOns OF the Days when IL was n
Camp and Hospital.

Few persons who look upon the present.
attractions of Judiciary square realize tho
unsightliness from which it has been re-
claimed, or arc at all familiar with the asso-
Citations which cluster around that roserva-
ton.
In the years preceding tho civil war,
large portion of city hall square, as them
designated, was a ravine. Hundreds Of thou
sands Of carloads of earth were required to
bring the surface up TO the present grade. Tho
city hall building of that date was even moro
repulsive in architectural design than at
present. 1t was then in only half complcte'
condition, and COWS and goats were housed
in the basement story. Near the northeast
corner of the square stood the forlorn looking
Jail, surrounded by brick wall, over whose
SUBMITS peeped the tops Of numerous fruit
trees tho envy of urchins far and wide.
Within these precincts noted prisoners We're
from time to time confined, and men like
Daniel f. Sickles marched to and from tho
court house, followed by a gaping crowd.
Whenever the gallows were erected and it
became known that "a hanging" was to take
place, the doors and windows of the vicinity
and the streets about became filled with u
crowd gathered from all quarters. The noigh-
borhood was a bad one called by the ouphO-
nious title of Hell Hip and English HILL"
Bands of rowdies from various sections of the
city made the vacant fields q battle ground
During the municipal election time they were
re.enforeed by the plug uglies" Of Balti-
more. The grounds adjoining the Jail
were used by stonemasons for cutting and
trimming large blocks of granite and marble
for the patent office aud other government
buildings. The mystic letters "P" and IS" !"
inscribed upon these, sgnifed either that tho
stone had passed inspection and was fit for
building use, or that Judgment upon it had
been suspended until further examination.
Midway along the present street carriage
way stood the old ''infrmary," rs it was
called, in which, during the early months of
the war, wounded soldiers were cared for.
This was under the charge of the Sisters of
Charity" whose merciful faces peeping out
from beneath large white cowls, proclaimed
the benevolent mission of the order. One
Sunday night the building took fire, and
when morning broke was mass of ruins.
Near the corner of Fourth and Il streets was
an immense frame building erected for the
inauguration ball" of President Lincoln.
Few who attended upon that occasion will
forget the rigorous cold of that March even
ing. and the frantic efforts made to heat the
vast space; resort that evening being made TO
numberess gas jets. Many persons took severe
colds, and some afterward died from ex-
posure.
The entire space along the north side of the L
street road soon became filled with frame hos
pital buildings, which were thrown up hastily
from time to time as the exigencies of the
war required. In these rude houses many
pathetic scenes were enacted as grim visaged
war sent in his victims and the tide of strife
rolled on. There were touching reunions
and sad farewells around the white cots of
the crowded wards, and the very air at times
seemed tremulous with the departing spirits
of dying heroes The chaplain, with his
words of benediction and the gentle woman,
with her basket of delicacieS and soothing
presence, were familiar figures then, and
weary sufferers learned to wait aud watch for
their coming
second inauguration ball building was
erected near the entrance to the square at
Fifth and i streets. Subsequently this WAS
used as infantry barracks and as the head
quarters Of Grithns battery, United States
artillery.
One dismal, rainy day regiment of Penn
sylvania volunteers were quartered hero
They had arrived weary and hungry, dcsti-
tute of rations, and even necessary change OF
clothing, Leaving home in hot haste to de-
fend the capital, and finding Inadequate ac-
commodation for their reception, they were
on the verge of mutiny.
Suddenly close carriage drove up and two
familiar forms alighted-one Mr.. Lincoln,
the other Mr.. Seward, both looking haggard
and worn. A shout went up-"the presi-
dent !" the presidentw Drums beat buglcs
sounded, and the ill clad men came swarming
up from camp fire and mess pot. plat
form was improvisod from an empty
pork barrel, and Secretary Seward mount
ing it, spoke few words, introducing
the president. Mr. Lipcoln's face lit up with
checry smile as he addressed the soldiers
In plain homely words he depicted the perls
of the republic and the need ho had of brave
true hearted men to stand like "a wall Of
fire" around her As he appealed to tn,
memories of the homes they had left, and the
honor of the cause they had come t.
champion, lips quiverod, eyes flashed, ant
the work was done. Mr.. Lincoln and hi
secretary went back to their weary work, ant
shortly after the men were provided, from
various sources, with ample clothing ant
food.