Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-02-21
MEN WHO WERE THERE.
RecOllectiOns OF the Cornerstone Ger,
monies i'm 1915.

DR. MORGAN GIVES SOME PERSONAL. REMINIS-
CENCES-How THE CITY LOOKED IN 1915
TALKS WITH Mr.. A. s. II. WHITE, GEN p F.
BACON, Mr.. JOSEPH II. BRADLEY AND OTHERS.
1.-THE laying of the cornerstone of the Wash
fngton monument as great an event in
those days as Is the inauguration OF the Presi-
dent now" said DIR. James f. Morgan, who rep
resents one of the old families of Washington.
and OF Maryland before Washington was and
who was one of the marshals on the occasion Of
the laying of the first stone of the great struc-
ture that was dedicated to the father of the
country to-day. 1.-THE population was not as large
then a. ii is now, but il was enthusiastic II was
not too large for the people all TO know each
other. The event was talked of for weeks-for
months before the ceremony took place. Every
body-men, women and children, black and
white-were talking of IL. George Watterson,
who was then the secretary, Carroll Brent was
his successor wrote the thing up: the papers
were fun Of Ii; ii was a great national affair
You may know how widespread the interest
was when Caprn with his cavalry rode in from
near Baltimore and TuCks and his Inen from way
up In Charles county. They rode all the way in
on horseback and got in the night before The
people were all very patriotic then. II was not
long after the Mexican war, and officers who
had won fame in that took part in the ceremony
with great deal OF zeal. Then, too there
were some old revolutionary veterans
still alive. The city marketmaster was a
revolutionary soldier, John Waters, and old
Wells was appointed keeper of the Long
bridge on account OF wounds received In the
Revolution, Everybody knew old Wells. The
women, too. were enthusiastic and the best
ladies in the land were present az the ceremony
III never forget now proud and magnificent
Mrs. Madison looked: she was grand and stately
always wore a turban. she and Mrs Hamilton
rode together on that occasion. 1t was great
event.
THE city was very different then from what 10
Is now. There was no fashionable West End
then. All the fashion was south: the best sOci-
ETY. was in South WaShingtOn-alI along 10Th
street, Maryland avenue, and all around that
direction. The Van Ness place. just northeast
OF the monument, was then occupied; | think
Mr Green, who married into the Van Ness fam
ny uved there. l am not quite sure whether
there then not. Major Howle lived on 18th
street, just facing the White Lot; Col. w. b.
randolph lived on Maryland avenue; w. A.
MARYLAND avenue, and Ignatius Mudd, commits
soner OF public buildings, and Matchin-I
near there. All the fine buildings were down
10 that part OF the city, and II was cut of from
sne avenue by the old canal. The avenue-that
u, fennsyivania ayenue-was all built up then
as IL Is now. only the buildings were all little
tNo-story gabIed-roof buildings, with attics and
NJ, rne cellars. some of them were frame, but
sn s5 little low buildings with atticS and wine
ssiIars We're the style then. All along south o
kne avenue, about 18th and 18th streets. was
Ccery, Lashonaoie. Carusis Saloon fnow the
comiquel was the great resort then: all the big
dinners and balls were given there AS I've
san3 Inc sng west End WANT anything then;
lano PACK OF Corcoran's could be bought for ten
and fifteen cents a foot
BUT, TO return TO the cornerstone When the
procession marched down the avenue there
were crowds and crowds oil people ali along the
line, cheering. The street was then macadam-
i,sd, and we had TO cross the bridge at 18th
6Ient from what IL Is now ~ 49,
The feature Of the occasion was the fireworks