National Republican., 1886-08-30
THE OLD cusr1s SPRING.
Austin syphax's Recollection OF II
Thirty Years Ago.


Thirty Years Ago.
In view Of the propositions which have
been introduced in the Senate Of the United
States, respectively by Hon. John Sherman,
Of Ohio, and Hon. NJ. g. Butler, OF South
Carolina, looking to the erection OF grand
memorial bridge to the memory Of the late
Presidents Lincoln and Grant, the plan
OF which, as published in the NATIONAL RE-
PUBLICAN Of the 18th OF May last, Is for IL
to be started from Observatory Hill, and It's
southern abutment to rest on Arlington
shore In direct line with the first cemetery
gate, some incidentt.of Arlington may be In
teresting.
The southern terminus Of the proposed
bridge Ia only few hundred rods away
from once historic spot, Custis's Spring,
and thousands OF citizens of Washington,
Georgetown, and Alexandria have visited
this once famous summer resort. Over
halt century ago the citizens OF these
three cities commenced going TO this spring.
At fret they went In small fishing parties,
principally on Sundays. In the afternoon
they would catch fish, cook, and enjoy them
with refreshments which they would bring
with them.
As the spring grew in popularity Mr..
Custls, the proprietor Of Arlington, took
such interest In the visitors comfort that
he had built one large pavilion, two spring
houses, two kitchens, and large dining
room, He also furnished them with cook
ing utensils, fee, fuel, and appointed my
father, Charles Syphax, to walt on them,
all free OF charge. Among the visitors was
the. Falcon Boat Club, composed prlnci-
pally OF business men Of Washington.
They would usually come over In the after
moons and sometimes bring In their boat
Hon. Daniel Webster, Hon. William w.
seaton, Hon. Joseph Gales, and other dis
tinguished citizens. On such occasions
Mr. Custls would often order the Washing
ton tent, which Gen. Washington left him,
to be brought down from the house and
pitched, and under which would flow punch
and elOquence.
When Mr.. Gusts, in his speeches, re-
ferred to Gen. Washington or Mount Yer
non he would speak with great emotion.
There are several or the gentlemen who
composed the Falcon Boat Club now living,
among whom are Messrs. John T. Given,
Custis b. Graham, and John Goldin.
Among the earlier visitors to the spring
were Maj. Ben. Perley Boon, Joseph Shil-
lington, Maj. Morgan, and many others
now living.
AS the spring became known the people
began going there in large picnic parties,
those from Georgetown and Alexandria in
longboats by way OF the canal, and those
from this city In the steamer G. w. Custis
and In longboats. Mr.. Gusts took pleas.
ure in seeing the boats coming across the
river stocked with visitors. He would
often hurry down from his house to well
come them to his shore, sometimes bring.
ing with him his fiddle for the gentlemen
and ladies to dance.
The students from Georgetown College
were some Of the first who gave picnics
there, coming by way Of the canal.
Among the most prominent plcnics given
here was one in 1856 by Mrs. Thompson,
wife Of Hon. John r. Thomson, then United
States senator from New Jersey, which was
attended by many distinguished ladies and
gentlemen from different parts of the
country. There was another equally as
fine given the same year by Mr.. Bodisco,
the Russian minister to the United States.
Mr.. Charles Gautler, the then celebrated
Washington caterer, furnished the menu.
Mr.. George Eustis, member of Congress
from Louisiana, presided and made an elo-
guent speech, and was responded to by Mr..
Custis.
A large tournament was held there In
1857 by knights from Washington and Vir-
ginia. The charge to the knights was de-
liyered by Hon. Jacob Thomson, Secretary
Of the Interior under President Buchanan.
He also made the presentations to the queen
OF love and beauty and maids Of honor.
The largest picnic given there was in 1858
by the German Schuetzenfest, at which over
1000 people were present.
Mr.. Custis died ON the 10th OF October,
1857. Col. Lee, who was with his command
in Texas, obtained leave Of absence, and on
arriving o month later, took charge Of Ar.
lington. In 1858 he rented the spring tc
Mr.. Benjamin Beveridge, OF Washington
who after making some improvements
rented 1t to parties for picnic purposes unit
the breaking out Of the war. The pavilion
was then boarded up by the military au
thoritles, and used as depot for quarter
\ master stores.