Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-04-25
LAFAYETTE's LAST VISIT.
How He Was Twice Escorted to the No
tional Capital Told by an Old Citizen.

LAFANETTE's LAST VISIT. .
How He Was Twice Escorted to the No
tional Capital Told by an Old Citizen. .
VNHERE ARE FEW AND VERY FEW OF
Il the old citizens Of the District who have
been residents Of this city FOR long a time,
or who have witnessed many Of its wondrouf
changes Mr.. James Dobbyn, who is now hv 4
ing on 9th street northeast he has q largs
circle of friends throughout the city, and 10
especially well known on Capitol Hill, havinf I
bee n born in East Washington in 1906 ane>
W here. with the exception Of very few years .
he has always resided. Consequently he know .
Of many events that have taken place in the,
Distr let, and like all old folks he delights IA
telling tales of by-gone days. While convers +.
ing with STAR reporter the other day he men.
toned many things that have escaped the
pages of history and would make an interesting
as well instructive story. The first MEM
orable occurrence 20 him. he said, was when
he and his mother, with party OF neghbors,.
fed to Georgetown Heights while the British
were invading the capital city during the VA
of 1872.
LArAYETrE's VISIT TO WASHINGTON. p
He then spoke Of Gen. Lafayette's last visit
and said: Il not only lived here at that time.
but 1 am proud to say that I was among
the soldier boys who escorted the great,
general In and out of the national capital while
on his American tour of 1929, and from what
can learn" he added, Il am about the last OF :
the military company to which 1 belonged si
that time"
Mr.. Dobbyn was a member of the Mont
gomery One Hundred, a military company
that existed at the latter part of the frsfs
quarter OF the century. and Was composed OF
citizens of the District and of Montgomery
county, Md. According 10 lir. Dobbyns mem
DRY the Montgomery One Hundred" in COM.
mand Of Capt. Dunlop, with Capt Andrews
company of Washington troops. LEFT the neigh {.
borhood of the Capitol building TO 20 out tc
the District line on the Bladensburg road &c
meet Gen. Lafayette and party. who had beer,
escorted thus far from Baltimore by the
''Chincapin Hunters" OF that city. IL wns q
bright summer morning and the entire popu-,
lace OF the surrounding country for miles ano q
miles around had taken advantage of this fact !
and turned out en- masse to welcome the great.
general, who had endeared himself to all Amer. J
leans for his noble assistance during the tryina
times of the revolutionary war.
Though the population scattered and,
scanty. the roads outside the city limits and the
then streets in the city along the line of march
were crowded by those eager TO see the dis
tinguished visitor. =
MISTAKEN FOR THE GENERAL -
Commodore FINLEY. then commander Of tho 7
Washington navy yard. sat beside Lafayette in
an open coach, and as he was in full uniform.
he was mistaken by many for the nations
guest.
Tho Chincapin Hunters were uniformed In
.he old continental style, on account Of which 4,
they were much admired and proved especially :
pleasing TO Lafayette, rs, he said, IL 40 re-
minded him OF the time when lac fought for
American independence. Lafayette, after re-
manning IN Washington some time, took tour
through the country.
he returned again in Decepher and a..
time by way Of Frederick and Rockville. Tie !
montgomery and Washington boys went again :
to welcome him. There had been week OF in
cessant ram and the roads were deep in mud.
which made travelling very disagreeabie. At ,
Rockville Lafayette rendered a reception andt
dinner 10 the entire party. They were all very =
hungry, said MIR. Dobbyn, and some Of them
not knowing that the invitation included them I
went on to neighboring place 20 eat. Iafay-
cite learning tins quickly sent for them but
they thought that considering the large crowd
to be waited on it would be best 10 be sure of
good meal where they were and then take
dessert with the general AT the reception /" e
continued Mr.. Dobbyn, Lafayette shook hands<.
with each and every one of the party. In doingf
so he would catch your hand between his two -
and give you good strong grip, Q grip q
friendship that will live with me forever. II
STUCK IN THE MUD. =
ION the afternoon of the last day of Decem-
Q miserable day il was-comins =
from Rockville the coach in which the general :
rode broke and deep was the mud that !.
walk or platform Of rails was constructed "a =
enable HIM to get TO the roadside. In he
il was understood that he was % A. :
tend President Monroe's New Years leyee the
next day. AL hands were working with evervi<
effort to get in town as early az possible. "a =,
that he could get plenty of rest after such \ =
long and monotonous journey, in order that he :
might be fresh for the next days festivitieo. :
We arrived In town at s pm and Lafayette 9
took up at the Seven Buildings. q row ~ !,
houses In the first ward, which was . no1.hie ! I.
stopping place in those days. That night =
band Of music had been got TO serenade Gen. =
Andrew Jackson, then Senator, who was stor-t :
ping at the same place, but on learning a !,
Lafayette presence the affair was chauesd -
Lafayette-Jackson serenade. T..
despite the disagreeable weather n proxed = E.
great night for Washington and il ID sefe 20 ~
that the first ward has not seen such cav timS.
since. Lafayette, having spent q most erhil y
arating trip, being royalty welcomed Al evervi. =
point departed for home some time lasrr - ?
way Of river boat TO Norfolk" M. Dohhxns \
says that the portrait OF Lafaystte which No. y
on the wall Of the House Of Rspreseptstiv = =
An exact likeness, both In feature and s1sirs- -
he appeared on both the occasions y - ~
ferred 10. - ~
Cannot 1--we On Pruasa. III