The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-09

PARK. Out 1t contains the old arsenal made
famous BY the execution of Paine, Harold,
it appears to be ono of the most charming
spots in Washington. Thousands regard it
with horror, believing that within its walls
an innocent woman was executed as felon.
Now walk around the cupola to the north
west. Ford's old theatre, where President
Of Wanamaker's bazaar. It is 90 far away
that you cannot distinguish it from other
buildings. You can trace the route of
Wilkes Booth on horseback after the assas-
sination clearly and distinctly. The city is
spread around you like map. He
came down Massachusetts avenue,
fee, in the darkness Of the night,
dashed across what is now the Baltimore y
avenue, southeast, and following It until he
turned and crossed the bridge over the
Eastern branch. There is the bridge
nearly two miles away, Just above the old
dot1ed with white HOUSES. It u Uniontown.
Mo-. where Harold joined Hnoth in that
stormy, midnight ride toward the house of
DR.. Mudd.
Look again to the north. Away off on
the horizon, four miles away. You see the
endowed by Gwendolin Caldwell. It
stands among the trees on the heights
where Jubal Early's pickets appeared in his
raid on Washington. Silver Spring, Francis
Z. Blair's old homestead, burned by Early,
lies in the valley beyond it. From the
ridge the Confederate soldiers mad a plain
view OF the capitol with the immense
dome upon which We stand. If Stonewall
jackson had been in command, Washing
ton would undoubtedly have been cap
tured, for her kitchen door was wide open.
Gaze toward the west. The turr cts of
the Oldest Catholic college in America
stand upon the heights OF Georgetown.
has been graduated whose eloquence has
stirred the halls of congress.
Glance along Pennsylvania avenue once
more. There is a white pile upon it's right
third of the way to the treasury building.
1t is the National hotel, where Old Hickory
once quartered, where Henry Clay died and
The Baltimore u. Ohio depot stands
diagonally opposite on Sixth street. 1t
was here that President Garfield received
his fatal wound at the hands of Guiteau.
Here Senator Beck, of Kentucky, fell dead
three weeks ago. The brick towers of the
depot are plainly seen, and an express train
ment reservation as we gaze upon it.
The avenue itself lies below us, filled with
life and animation. Twenty-Five years ago
this month it echoed for three days with
the tramp of armies. The most mag
nifcent military review ever held
head. It was review of the real and only
Grand Army of the Republic. One day was
given to the heroes who marched with Sher-
man to the sea, and another to the battle
scared veterans of the army of the Poto-
mac. On third day the avenue was filled
from curb to curb with John Sedgwick's old
brigades-the fighting Sixth Army Corps
the pets of Phil Sheridan, and the men who
sent Early whirling up the valley after the
attack on Washington.
So much for historical "reminiscences.
Captain Boyden, our guide, points out
many objects of interest. He has been
6s @ % s 1ana in s% as Mer sRse Rse
one army comrade has he seen sworn to
support the constitution in the halls of
congress. Congressman Charles A. Hill, of
Illinois, was lieutenant in the captain COM
pany. While listening to his "reminiscences
we were charmed by the beauty of the
grounds below us.
The botanical garden is at the foot of
Capitol hill. Its jewel is the Bartholdi
fountain, presented to the government
after the centennial exhibition in Philadel-
phia. At this hour it fills the air with silver
spray, making an exquisite spectacle. The
park around the capitol has the freshness
in the trees below and see the rich
green verdure on the mead. The
work of the lawn mower gives
the carpet variegated shades of
green. A thousand shrubs and bushes,
bearing flowers and roses of many hues,
flank the green terrace, and fill the air with
perfume. Ben Buffers stone castle frowns
upon tne south of the park, and the empty
Maltby house glowers upon it from the
north.
The sinking sun is gliding the aluminium
point of the Washington monument as Cap
tain Boyden observes that time is flying and
that the entrance to the dome should be
closed at four o'clock. A glance at the tall
shaft that in the light of the setting sun
shines like alabaster. a final survey of the
beautiful city nestled in the sea of foliage
below us. and we pass through the iron
doors leading down into the dome. They
close with clang that is heard one hun
dred and eighty feet below upon the mar
BILE floor of the great rotunda. We descend
over four hundred steps, and are again upon
terra frma. AMOS j. CUMMINGS.
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