The Washington critic., 1886-09-07
OLD HASuINGroN HOTEL 8.
How The "Jndian Queen" Was Con-
Quoted by Landlord Brown,

Says Major Ben: Perloy Poore in his
"Reminiscences of Sixty Years in tn c
National Metropolis" When Congress
first met at Washington there was but
one hotel there and one in Georgetown.
Others were, however, soon erected,
and fifty eight years ago there were
half dozen. The favorite establish.
ment was the Indian Queen Hotel,
which occupied the site of the present
Metropolitan Hotel and was designated
by large swinging sign upon which
figured Pocahontas, painted in glaring
colors. The landlord, Jesse Brown,
who used to come to the curbstonc to
welcome tire coming guests" was q
native of Havre de Grace, who had
served his apprenticeship to tavern.
keeping at Hagerstown and in Alex.
andria. A glance at the travellers as
they alighted and were ushered by him
into the house would enable him men
tally TO assign each one to a room, the
advantages of which he would describe
ere sending its destined occupant
there under the pilotage of col
ored servant. When the next meal was
ready the newly arrived guest was
met at the door of the dining.room
by Mr.. Brown, wearing large white
| apron, who escorted him to q seat and
then went to the head of the table,
| where he carved and helped the prin
| cipal dish. The eXcellences Of this
| fish or flesh or fowl-he would an
| nounce as he would invite those seated
| at the table to send up their plates for
what he knew to be their favorite por-
| tons, and he would also invite atten.
| tion to the dishes on other parts of the
table, which were carved and helped
| by the guests who sat nearest them. 'I
have Il delicious quarter of mntton
from the Valley Of Virginia." Mr..
Brown would announce in stentorian
tone, which could be heard above the
clattcr of crockery and the din of steel
knives and forks. "Let me send you a
rare slice, Mr.. A" Colonel b., will
you not have bone?" "NIrs. c., send
up your plate for piece of the kid
ney." Mrs. D., there is fat and
tender mongrel goose at the other end
of the table, "Joe, pass around the
sweet potatoes" Colonel E., will
you help to that chicken pie before
yon?"
The expense of living at the Indian
Queen was not great. The price of
board was one dollar and seventy-1ve
cents per day, ten dollars per week, OF
thirty five dollars per month. Tran.
sient guests were charged fifty cents
for breakfast, the same for supper and
seventy.tlve cents for dinner. Brandy
and whisky were placed on the dinner
table in decanters, to be drunk by the
guests without additional charge there.
for. A bottle of real old Madeira i'm.
ported into Alexandria was supplied
for three dollars; sherry, brandy and
gin were one dollar and a-half per bot
tie and Jamaica rum one dollar. A
the bar toddies were made with un
adulterated liquor and lump sugar
and the charge was twelve and a.hal
cents drink.
| On the Fourth of July, the 22d o
February, and other holidays, Land
lord Brown would concoct foaminC
egg .nogg in mammoth punch bow
once owned by Washington; and Tho
guests of the house were all invited t
partake. The tavern.desk was behint
the bar, with rows of large bells hang
ing by circular springs on the wall
each with bullet. shaped tongue
which continued to vibrate for som,
minutes after being pulled, thus show
ing to which room it belonged. Th
barkeeper prepared the drinks
called for, saw that the bells wer
answered, received and delivered let
ters and cards. and answered question
by the score. He was supposed t.
know everybody in Washington, wher
they resided, and at what hour the