Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-20
improvements at the workhouse.

Improvements at the Work house.
AN OLD BUILDING TO BE RECoNsTRUCTED-As SEPARATE
woRKHousE TO Be PROVIDED FOR woMEN-THE
WORK ON THE STREETS, &C.
A few days ago THE STAR stated that Commis-
sioner West accompanied by Building Inspector
EntWiSe, had made trip to the Washington aims
mouse. Their visit was for the purpose Of inspect
ing one OF the old buildings erected many years
ago, on what was then the government magazine
grounds, for the purpose OF storing ammunition.
There are three of these buildings, and they are
constructed In the very best manner and OF the
best material. They stand quite far down In the
grounds. nearly to the Eastern branch, and are
surrounded by thicket OF willow and other trees,
almost hiding them from water side view. They
are most substantial in character. the brick walls
OF all being four feet thick, without any windows
and rooted in with groined brick arches OF the same
thickness and covered over with old fashioned
heavy tin painted in lead color. 1t is proposed to
recons ruct OF these three buildings for work
house Tor the female inmates and introduce syS-
TEN of industries which viii be profitable. For
many years heretofore both sexes have been under
one roof, but when the new wOrkhouse was erected,
Two years ago, all the worst characters were re-
moved to it, yet the buildings in too close proX-
Unity. The influence of association with the GRIM
maj class Is demoralZing, especially to youth,
many OF whom are among the prisoners. The pro-
posed change does not involve any great expendi-
ture. portion OF the lower room OF the building
which is to be utilized will be divided into wide
hall with cells and sleeping apartments; two stories
Will be added to the height and these stories Will
De lifted up as dormitorieS and work rooms BY
kept entirely separate and the time OF the females
proiltably employed. These buildings, as they
now stand, are OF no use to anybody. They have
been abandoned by the government, and they are
SO strongly built OF cement and bricks that they
cannot be torn down without destroying the bricks
BUILDING FOR THE LIVE STOCK.
There is fourth building, originally erected as
store house for shell of large caliber which Mr.
StOutenberg proposes to remove and re-erect near
the center OF the asylum grounds. This building
Is so by 100 feet, lofty In height and most sub
stantial in construction. Workmen are now en-
pioyed 10 digging cellar on the proposed new
Sue This Is about $50 yards east Of Mr.. StOuten-
Derg dwelling. There Is large stock OF horses
ana cows to be protected and this building will be
esa9
STOCK There are ten mich cows OF the best breed
mat can be found in the herd belonging to the
asylum, besides Al hogs, mostly Of the Berkshire
breed, IA OF which Will average $50 pounds each.
These are regarded as the handSomest hogs any
where In the vicinity, and have been for some time
point OF attraction for the butchers. One of the
ftceht improvements noticed by THE STAR re-
porter Is new entrance-way to the premises from
l9Lh street, just north OF the front doorway. The
oid nigh board fence has been removed and a
strong 1Sinch brick pier wall substituted between
the main wOrkhouse building and the division
line fence between the wOrkhOuse and iafl grounds
A similar wall has been extended around the south
wing OF the old Workhouse structure New Win
dow blinds are now being fitted to the old work
house windows to take the place of those which
are rotting from age.
THE NEW HOSPITAL
The most conspicuous improvement is the new
hospital building in the Enclosure set apart for hos
pitfalls. This is now in course Of erection and will
soon be completed. 1t is in the form of cross GO
by 3 feet, OneStOry high OF IL feet and finished In
natural wood, with a cellar under portion Of the
building and bath-hOuse on one of the side wings.
The grounds surrounding the hospital buildings
are to be handsomely ornamented with flowers and
shrubbery. 1t is quite refreshing how lively
lazy old Migrants step around when they get
locked up In these grounds with striped suits on.
They seem TO like IT, as little complaint is made
and they work willingly as general thing.
GRADING THE STREETS.
One OF the most important industries put into
operation Is the work of grading Pennsylvania av-
enue extended Light steel rails and suitable cars
have been procured by direction of the District
Commissioners, and tracks laid on this avenue from
18TH 10 10th Streets and grading or nine inches to
the one hundred feet is now being pushed by Mr..
way Is being cut down, and the sidewalk will soon
follow. The plan Is to extend the Improvement to
the large circle shown on the plans OF the city at
the extreme end OF Pennsylvania avenue east, or at
the Juncture OF Kentucky avenue and street. Il
distance or 1880 feet. When this Is completed the
grading of East Capitol street Will follow. This
street leads directly to the WOrkhOuSe. Then
Massachusetts avenue will be graded and all other
streets In that section running east and west. The
work VIII cost the District very little. The earth
eXcayaed and not required the line Of the streets
Will be deposited on the river flats Besides all this
Work In view, the current work, such as gathering
manure from the marke5hOu5eS, to deposit on the
farm, digging weeds ON the suburban street
cutters. cleaning sewers, &c, has to be kept up.
NO abe-boded tdlers are tolerated about the work
mouse. The domestic industries OF the female de-
partInent, such as sewing, mending of clothing.
washing. lanndryDg, &c, are looked after by Mrs.
Stouten0erg, and the neat appearance OF all the
wards throughout the entire establishment bear
testimony TO her vigilance.
The grading OF Pennsylvania avenue is being
done partly in view OF the fact that 1t is expected
at no distant day bridge will be constructed
across the Eastern branch at the end of the avenue
winch Is about half way between the Navy Yard
doc hrf Cr,ol, butt ,,-il1
provide direct and short road for the farmers on
The east side OF the branch to the Center market in
thiscity, land open up the same accommodations for