The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-10-28
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASHINGTON, ~. w., Oct. rs, 1850.
1t will be remembered that early in
the past Spring the President bought
tract of land just outside of the District
and proceeded at once to remodel the
old stone house that stood upon it, 80 as
to make the same habitable for himself.
The road leading from the city to the
new purchase was very good one, but
very dusty in Summer and little rough
in Winter. When the improvements
contemplated by the District Commits
sioners, however, are completed, the
drive to the new home will be one of the
most beautiful in the world. 1t is the
purpose to extend Massachusetts, Avenue
The distance of mile and half in
straight line, which will bring it within
400 yards of the Southern boundary of
the Presidents property, and to pave it
with asphalt to conform to the other por'
ton of the avenue. This avenue now
runs from one side to the other of the
CITY in straight line in Northwesternly
direction and is 100 feet wide throughout
its length. On it, and especially along
the Western portion, are some of the
palatial residences of Washington, in
Guiding Senator Cameron's and ex-Secre.
tary Blaine's, and many others owned by
public men of the same note. In making
the extension it becomes necessary to
span the romantic Rock Greek with an
arch at an elevation of 95 feet. A few
wears ago a syndicate purchased very
large tract of land lying along the course
of the improvements, with the expecta-
ton that the avenue would be extended.
The story that the President and Secre-
tary Whitney are members of the syndi-
cate, and that the improvements have
been projected with the view of making
easier access to their purchases and
enhancing the value of the same has not
an iota of truth in it. The improvements
were planned long before either the
President or Secretary had any idea of
buying suburban homes. Secretary
Whitney purchased his land because of
the beauty of the natural scenery about
it, and his desire to have cool and quiet
home to which he could retire after the
fatigue of his days labors during the
warm Summer months. The President
made his purchase with the same object
in view, and because his agent found that
he could purchase the land adjoining the
Secretary's to better advantage than any
other land near there. The improvement
would have been made whether these
distinguished personages had bought the
land or not, and is only part of the
scheme to extend other streets in the city
for which Congress has already made an
appropriation.
Last session Congress made liberal
appropriation to demonstrate by practical
tests whether raw silk can be produced in
this country. To carry out the will OF
Congress the Agricultural Department
has had put up in one of its annexes
machine designed to do the work. The
silk thread is unreeled from the cocoons,
which float in six basins in the machine,
and is carried by series of drums and
wheels to the reels. The tension of the
thread and degree of 6neness is regulated
automatically by an ingenious device
operated by electricity. If the expert
ments prove successful it is expected that
q number of the machines will be put to
work. and the manufacture of raw silk
be added to our many other industries.
A cordially welcomed visitor to the
city and at the War Department the past
seek was Bugler MARITIME, the sole sur
vivor, with the exception of one Indian
scout, of the Custer massacre. He was
by the side of Custer when the latter
spied the camp of the hostile Sioux, and
Custer without leaving the spot tore a
leaf from his diary aud wrote upon it his
order for Major Reno to hurry up with
bis command, and gave it to Marine to
deliver. That order saved the life of
MARITIME, for when he got back to the
scene there was not another member of
the command of 266 men alive. MARITIME
is here to secure messengership in the
War Department, as he is tired of
soldiers border life, and says that he has
had his share of soldiers hardships.
General Sheridan is espousing the sur
Yivor's cause, and he will doubtless here
after be comfortably lodged in the palati.
al building of the War Department
instead of exposed to the seventies of
Winter in the Western Wilds.