Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-22

land and those OF Europe gathered around his
hospitaole board and thronged his receptions.
Opposite Thomas Corvin resided for years and
Mr.. Crittenden and Vice President Breckin-
ridge. and coming back next 10 the Webster
building Rich'd J. Coke and Rich'd 7. Merrick
resided, and johnson HELEN, the owner OF all
those houses. / have story 70 tell Of the Web
ster house.
SALE OF THE wKBsrKR HOUSE.
1t was owned by Mr.. Reuben Burdine, an old
bachelor. who had lived there for years.
think he built the house. Mr.. johnson HELEN
resided next door at that time. more than forty
years ago. and Mr.. Burdine said to HIM one
day: "Mr. HELEN, you ought to own this build
ing. have no use for It. I am old now and
have . very comfortable house on 9th street.
and will sell 70 you on your own terms"
Mr.. HELEN said: We'll Mr.. Burdine, what
terms do you want to sell on2''
Mr.. Burdine said: Il have no use for the
money. GIVE me, say, . thousand dollars as
consideration, and Day faithful servant have
hve hundred dollars year during her life and
the property 10 yours II the terms suit you
draw the papers and take the property"
=, After some consideration Mr.. HELEN accepted
the terms and the papers were signed properly
transferred, and NJ. Burdine, whom remem-
Der very well, moved and Mr.. HELEN took pos
session. Some years after Mr.. HELEN, who was
one OF the most careful men and an able law
yer, thought the consideration for the property
at the death Of Mr.. Burdine and he concluded
to increase the consideration and take new
deed He waited on Mr.. Burdine and said he
was not satisfied with the consideration paid
and proposed to increase it to 5000 and the
annuity to the servant Mr.. Burdine, perfectly
indifferent, said: "Oh, do just as you please.
/ will execute any paper you bring me. don't
think you need fear any contest, but do as you
please"
Mr. HELEN executed another deed. paid the
5000 additional and the faithful servant still
lives TO draw the annual $500 with the same
complaisant regularity she has done for over
forty years and is likely to continue to do so
TIL the end Of this century. to the disgust
OF MIR. Clearance HELEN. to whom at her death
the fund set apart to pay this annuity descends.
OLD HOUSES AT THE NAVY YARD.
In my hunt for the site Of the Barry Chapel
l went to the Navy Yard and recognized some
old residences had not seen in years The
home of James Carberry, DIR. Alexander Nc
Williams, whose green houses we're greatly ad-
mlred IN those days long passed, but now are
gone, and beyond that tho residence built by
Maj. Gamble, an officer of Marines and subse-
quently occupied BY the late Maj. Nicholson OF
the marine corps and now the residence OF
Mrs. Briggs (''Olevia"). The residence, when
knew it, Of Gen. Henderson, then commander
OF the marine corps. remains unchanged,
and IN the immediate neighborhood the resi-
dence Of Purser Vim, which nv mother oc-
cupied at period when the only mode OF con-
veyance to and from the Navy Yard was an ON
nibus, which started from the corner of 9th
street and the avenue semi-occasionallv. and
deprived me of residence which was charm
ing, but as distant from the city and the Office
OF the National Intelligencer az Alaska. left
the VIM residence in the early fall some
where about forty-eight years ago and have not
seen it since, but understand il is yet standing
The Navy Yard was an important place in
hara nd be cfDk4 - L..
recalled the old friends who Offered the
corps at that time-Major Howle (whose
residence / saw the other day on l4th street
near the Long bridge but little changed). Mai.
Henry Tyler, Maj. Broom, Tom Sloan, Josiah
Watson, Sid Taylor, Maj. Russell and others
who have paid the debt of nature. leaving some
very pleasant memories. The Mai Gamble
whose residence / have mentioned was a man
OF large wealth and enjoyed it in a way which
made the sedate citizens of that day regard him
with wonder. He was the uncle to the Miss
Gamble whom Chevalier Wykoff pursued
through Europe in the endeavor to marry her
She was the heiress of Maj Gamble, ana
Wykof, In his book, "My Courtship and Itr
Consequences" describes with the most charm.
ing na:vete his mode Of courtship, which par
took somewhat of the aboriginal 1 could never
understand knowing Wykof well, why be
published that book or why he pursued that
mode OF courtship
Mr.. Christian Hines ssRecollectious of Wash.
ington" extend from 1896 to about 1874. con.
tanning some most interesting "reminiscences OF
that period
TIE BATTLE OF BLADESsBuRa.
In 1t he published the militia companies or
ganized for the defense of Washington in 1914
and among the names find many whom !
knew in my boyhood and who survived the
battle Of Badensburg, the history OF which !
had heard certainly hundred times from nv
flaaS oil Hr.a 1t
John ). Williams. who wrote the history OF
that sanguinary conflict. Those whose names
ind on the muster roll come up before me
SO wildly l can see them in my mind. Alex
ander Kerr of the Bank of the United States
Charles W. Goldsborough, for years in the
Navy Department.; Stephen Pleasanton, the
fifth auditor of the Treasury from the founda
ton Of the government and the father of Gen
Pleasanton; Peter Hagner, the third auditor
and about whom l heard an incident which
will bear repeating.
Gen. jackson before he was President came
here to settle his accounts, which were being
audited by Mr.. Hagner, who disallowed some
I'm rortant items. and the old hero, not beinc
used to contradiction or opposition, insisted
upon the auditing Of the account for the full
amount rendered. MIR. Hagner was inc xorablt
and q very stormy scene ensued. and several OF
them indeed, but the general, recognizing al
last Mr.. Hagners views Of the matter to be
correct, called at his house and acknowledged
he was wrong in his view and Mr.. Hagner wal
right When the general was elected and tool
his seat in the Executive Mansion there was
very strong pressure made for the removal OF
Mr.. Hagner, but the general in replying to g
delegation which had called to urge the re-
moval, said: Gentlemen. 1 cannot afford to re.
move Mr.. Hagner; he is Just the man for the
place and will retain him."
When Mr.. Van Buren, came into the Presi-
dency the same pressure was brought to bear
upon him and he said to those whom came &c
ask the removal Of Mr.. Hagner: "Gentlemen,
move Mr.. Hagner; you canno: therefore expec,
me to do So" John ID. Barclay, the father OF
John Barclay, the reading clerk Of the House OF
Representatives for years. is on that list. az
are also Nathaniel Frye, for years CHIEF clerk
OF the paymaster generals office; Frederick
Tschifely, who came here with the govern
ment; F. A. Wagler, the musician, who, for
house on ID street next the corner OF
18th, and who was a noted character
in his day; Tench Ringgold, who was
marshal of the District for several years
under Madison and Monroe; Joseph Tbaw.
one Of Washington's best citizens. who was a
clerk in the general post Office for many years.
and Raphael Jones, Of whom have a most
vivid memory. Mr.. Jones was for years the
only Jew in Washington. He was an English
a man Of the very highest stamp Of honor and
honesty and man OF culture. Mr.. Jones came
to the city with the government He was for
years a daily visitor to the Office OF the NATIONAL
Intelli9encer, and there came to know him
we'll Mr.. Gales esteemed him very highly.
THE FIRST HOUSE ON r STREET.
Mr.. Hines says, and Mr.. Williams confirmed
1t in my conversation with MIN, that the first
house built on F street was built by Mr.. James