The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-07-19
AN INTERESTING "REMINISCENCES.

Story of What Was Once Senator Bright's
Cow Pasture on Dupont Circle.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, July 1S.-The enormous
price recently paid by Mr.. Letter and
Lieut. Richardson Glover. who purchased
adjacent lots on the north side of Dupont
circle has proved fertile source of COM
ment among the real-estate men and
with people generally living in that
neiQhborhood. Anecdotes and reminis-
cences are plenty of how the land there
about was practically considered worthless
twenty or twenty-five years ago, or, when
sold. went for a cong One Of the most in
teresting, which has not heretofore ap-
peared in print is in regard to the valuable
block between Jefferson Place and street.
on the east and west and Eighteenth and
Nineteenth streets. Attic time of the war,
and for many years thereafter, it formed
part of great common. so far
out of the way that no one
ever thought of even driving IN that vicin-
ity. The whole tract was owned by the
late William ID. COrcOran, who. at the close
of the war. counted among his most init
mate friends Hon. Jesse Bright, one time
Senator from Indiana. The vicissit udes of
fortune had lett Mr.. Bright pretty we'll
stranded in this worlds goods, but though
deprived of many Injuries there was one
the possession of which he could not forego.
This was a large brindle cow, whose
facility for straying away from home and
getting into the pound was so marked as
to finally become source of great annoy
ance as we'll as pecuniary loss to the owner.
Mr.. Bright was an ardent Whist player
and spent the greater portion of every
evening with Mr., COrcOran over the game
80 dear TO both their hearts. The fact
- I'D Al.
and put in the pound was always
dnly reported in the paper. and accord
ingly. when he appeared In the evening.
Mr.. COrcOrans invarlable greeting was
concerning the whereabouts of the trouble
some animal To the oft-repeated query as
to why the COW was not regularly put out
to pasture, Mr.. Bright always repeated
that he was not able to stand the addi-
tional expense. Finally, one evening,
when the visitor arrived for his customary
rubber of whist, he was informed by Mr..
Corcoran that he had decided to give him
q pasture SD that the plea of pecuniary dis
urged. A few days later the deed for the
transfer of the property was formally made
out, and. after considerable demur on the
part Of Mr.. Bright, was at length
accepted Again and again the cow
aud the owners pocket money went to swell
the pound fund. Mr.. COrcoran naturally
expostulated with his friend, urging him
Co fence in the property and thus prev ent
further excursions of the peripatetic bO-
vine. This solution of the difficulty, though
easy enough of suggestion. Mr.. Bright de-
ciared was practically impossible for him
to adopt on account of the expense incl
dent 10 putting I'D the fence. The follow
ing day. however. carpenters were set bust
~ at work fencing in the Enclosure accord
ing to the orders of Mr.. CorcOran. who
promptly paid for the job when completed.
| AS the years went by the value of the
md ST nd hnr rUh Mr.
| Bright had number of fine offers for the
property he could never be brought To part
| with that which had come into his posses
sion under such unusual circumstances.
! Subseq uentIy. after the death of his friend.
| Mr. CorcOran offered to buy the place of his
! heirs for $50, 600. but this snm refused.
| and finally more than treble that sum las
| realized from it's sale.