The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-04-04

TnE New York StpI publishes an article from
Washington headed IA Nest OF Misfortune" The
reader will be somewhat startled and perhaps lit
tie amused to md that 1t is the West End, fash
onabc part OF Washington, which Is intended to be
conclsey described In that engaging headline. After
detailing the manner In which this fashionable
neighborhood was evolved from "swamps and negro
"hovels" in a few years time, the writer adds "But
" seems though evil spell lowered over It, for
sit would be hard to ind anywhere tract so small
"as this upon which so much OF misery, anguish,
tragedy, and suffering have come as here.' Those
having houses erected in the northwest will OF course
Immediately suspend operations. Those who are
living in other parts OF the city may shudderingy
congratulate themselves on the dangers they have
escaped by not living there. For the sun goes on
with Its darklng tale: "There have been assassin
"ations suicides, broken homes, rnincd ambition, all
"wlthn this little territory within the past genera
"on TO such an extent that one might think almost
'that a perpetual pail was upon It," This deplora.
bic condition OF things is all the distressing be-
cause first revealed to us by the sun 1t cannot be
delicate attempt TO "bear" the real estate market,
because 1t Is supported by half column OF proof
The "appalling volume OF misery" which the sun re-
porter says can be unearthed In half block Ia
suggested by list OF deaths, casualties, and mis-
fortunes, including the bankruptcy Of Alexander
shepherd, the failure of MIR. Blaine to become Pres
dent, and of several others to be returned Sena-
tors, always OF course, because they owned houses
In the northwest We are reminded that there was
Slckles-key tragedy, and we learn the remarkable
fact that several deaths have occurred in that neigh
borhood since. We infer that residents of other por-
tisns OF the city are not only immortal but free from
business reverses. The malign influence OF this
place Ia so powerful that even follows people after
they leave II they don't die there they die after
wards. Secretary Folger lived there two years.
His subsequent death In New York was due to that.
on the other hand, Senator Cameron was danger
ously III, but owing to the timely advice of some
| "superstitious friends moved, and thus escaped.
1t seems pity to paralyZe the interests of pleasant
nelghborhood that way but 1t is best even II 1t
depression in rents No one Is so lnsensble TO the
effects Of bad luck TO run the risk of living there
after this most clear, reasonable and sufficient proof
that the West End Is Its very stronghold II is also
stated that there people OF wealth and culture
"who could not be induced to live there" We might
suggest to the SU that all the wealth and culture
OF Washington could not possibly live there, for no
limited amount Of space could contain them. The
whole city is full Of them. For the consolation Of
those unfortunates who cannot Will dispose of their
property and move elsewhere, we would remind
them of the ant-tobacco lecturer who proved that
| tobacco was slow poison because 1t killed his
father, who died at ninety, having been invete-
rate smoker oil his life. The West End luck Is prob
| ably about as fatal as that,