Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-04-30
The Game between the Reporters an
DoI;oo.x~... D.o.ao.
DEATH OF CAPT. CRUTCHETT.
A Well-Known Figure That Will Be
Seen No More.

Mr.. James Crutchett, or Captain" Crutchett,
as he was Familiarity known. died this morning
at half-past four o'clock. He was one of the
well-known figures of this city of which he had
been resident for many years. For several
years past his short, sturdy figure, enveloped
in an old-fashioned cape or Talma, and sur
mounted with cap, with round top and glazed
peak, like those worn by soldiers Of the
Mexican war, has been seen constantly
about the corridors of the Capitol,
where he was put down as one of the army of
claimants. Capt. Crutchett was an English
man and a civil engineer by profession. He
came to Washington about lS45, and pur-
chased the house and grounds at the north
east corner of G and Northl0 Capitol
streets He added many improvements. laid
years lived there in fine style. The old
frame house with its rambling
wings and its singular underground
basement or crypt to-day attracts much notice.
Captain Crutchett then possessed considerable
property, owning much ground in the vicinity
OF the Baltimore and Ohio depot.
LANTERN on THE CAPITOL.
About 1856 he begun the manufacture of gas
on his premises, and he ran gas mains and
erected gas lamps ON North Capitol street.
Then he took the gas to the capitol
and erecting a pole on the dome of the
Capitol. it then existed, hoisted
upon it huge lantern, lighted with gas.
1t was his claim that he could
light Pennsylvania avenue and all the region
adjacent to the capitol with this lantern. Old
residents in that vicinity say that he was
successful in illuminating considerable
space about the capitol. The lantern remained
up some time, and caused the death of many
birds. who dashed themselves against it. at
tracted by the light. At length it was
shattered in storm Two or three years be-
fore the he established mandatory of
canes from wood from Mount Yer
non in a building still standing at
his residence. The building is now used as a
store-house for feed When the war broke out
the military authorities took possession of his
residence and cane factory. His house was used
as headquarters for officers, and the factory,
standing alongside the Baltimore and Ohio
depot, was used as a soldiers rest.
HIS WAR CLAIM.
After the war Capt. Crutchett made a
claim for the use of his property and
was awarded $4,000 petition is still
his claim. Even III recent years he lived hand
somely and he entertained the japanese COM
missiOners who came here early in President
Grants administration at fete in his
grounds on Capitol Hill. He gradually, how
ever, lost all his property. Considerable of it,
it is supposed, went to pay for costly expert
ments made in northern cities in constructing
apparatus for the manufacture and distribution
of gas for lighting, cooking, and heating pur
poses.
wATER-GAs.
He claimed TO have been the first to intro
duce gas in the city of Washington and that he
invented the process of making what is known
as water-gas. During recent years he has been
a constant attendant on the committees of Con-
gress, pressing various claims, and was regard
as an eccentric character.
OF LATE YEARS.
The last few years of his life he has been in
destitute circumstances. Now and then friends
who took an interest in him and a devoted
| daughter who remained by his side and cared
| for him till the last contributed from their
| pockets to supply him with means Of subsis-
| tence.
| When he obtained such supplies of money he
conducted himself for the time as though he
| spending the funds given him freely
| He has two daughters by his second wife living
in New York, and he had son who died in
| China. His daughter, who cared for him
until he died, shared all his
| privations with him. He was provided with a
home in a cottage near the Washington asylum
through the mediation of friends.
| THE FUNERAL.
These friends have arranged to have him
| buried at 3 o'clock tomorrow. The funeral
services will be conducted by Rev. Mr.. Hay
| den. pastor of the Swedenborgan church.
which he had attended ever since it was organ
| lied.
| PREsE STEp TO THE GOVERNMENT:
Capt Crutchett claimed that he owned the
Spa" at Bladensburg. About two years ago
| he had deeds of donation drawn
up and going to the White House
formally presented the "Spa" to the President,
to become the property Of the United States
should be laid to bring the spa water to the
capitol.
AT THE WHITE HoUsE.-The White House
was desolate to-day. The offices were empty,
and the merry chatter of the three type
writer's was silenced. There were no visitors,
| and the few attendants we're as sedate 40 they
] usually are on Sundays.