The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1886-11-04
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER.
WAsnINGrJN. ID. g. oct Is. 1ssG

WASHINGTON, ID, O., Oct 25, 1886.
Special Correspondence OF the NEWS.
1t will be remembered that early In the
past spring the president bought tract OF
land just outside of the district and pro-
ceeded ut once TO remodel the old stone
house that stood upon il, 30 as to make
the same habitsble for himself. The road
leading from the city to the new purchase
was very good one, but very dusty in
summer and a little rough in winter. When
the improvements contemplated by the
district commissioners, however, are cxm-
pleted, the drive tothe new home will be
one of the most beautiful In the world
1t Is the purpose to extend Massachusetts
avenue the distance of a mile and a half
In = straight line, which will bring It
within 400 yards of the southern boundary
OF the presidents properly, and TO pave II
with asphalt to conform to the other
portion Of the avenue. This avenue now
runs from one side TO the other of the
city in a straight line in a nortwesterly
direction, and Is 100 feet wide throughout
its length. On IL, and especially along
the western portion, are some of the pala-
tial residences OF Washington, including
Senator Cameron's and Ex-Secretary
BlaIne's, and many others owned by pup
III hAOA vi bAO oouAC nOIC. III LuuktuR
extension IL becomes necessary to span the
romantic Rock Greek with an arch at an
elevation of 80 feet. A few years ago a
syndicate purchased very large tract of
land lying along the course of the improve
ments, with the expectation that the ave
nue. would be extended. The story that the
president and Secretary Whitney are
members oil the syndicate, 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
IL. The improvements were
planned long before either the
president or secretary had ally idea of buy
ing suburban homes. Secretary whitney
purchased his land because of the beauty
of the natural scenery about II and his de-
sire to have cool and quiet home to
which he conld 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 adj dining the secretarY's to better Ad-
vantage 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 a
part of the scheme to extend other streets
IN the city tor which congress has already
made an appropriation.
blSN SeoSiOu CbukIC6o hD-
preparation to demonstrate by practical
tests whether raw silk can be produced in
this country. To carry ont the will of
congress the agricultural department has
put up in one of its annexes q machine de
signed 10 do the work. The silk thread is
unreeled from the cocoons, which float In
six basins In the machine, and is carried
by a series of drums and wheels to the
reels. The tension of the thread aud de-
gree of tineness is regulated automatically
by an Ingenious device operated by cleo
tcicity. If the experiments prove success
full IL 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 week
was Bugler MARITIME, the sole survivor,
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 leaf from bis diary
and wrote upon IL his order for Major
Reno 20 hurry up with his command,
and gave il to Marine to deliver.
That order saved the life of Mar
tine, for when he got back to the scene
there was not another member OF the COM
mand OF 266 men alive. MARITIME Is here
TO secure a messengeTship In the war de-
partment, as he lie tired of q soldiers Dor
der life. and says that he has had his share
of q soldiers hardshlps. General Sheridan
is espousinG the survivors, CAUSE, and he
will doubtless hereafter be comfortably
lodg6 d in the pslatial building of the war
department, instead OF exposed to the re-
yeriues Of winter in the western wilds' b.