Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-12-12

This excursion begins at Sheridan avenue.
Hillsdale. which is reached by way OF Monroe
street and Nichols avenue, Anacostia Taking
the avenue indicated at the terminus of the
Anacostia street railroad. Stickfoot branch is on
the right The large franc building on the
west bank of the stream Is q public school
house. used by the coiored people.
Stanton avenue on the left and Snow Creek
and Macedonia Baptist Churches (coiored), on
the right, are passed in quick succession
As you move along the pleasant valley, which
nature has made attractive yCu get a
glimpse of Negro life as 1t exists in HilIsdale.
for the colored people have full possession Of
these beautiful hillsides. Reaching the woode,
bridge that spans Stickfoot branch at Stanton
avenue. turn to the right and NOV. ur the hill
to the Hamilton road Tie vicinity Of the
junction of Sheridan aud Stanton avenues is
known In the local vernacular as "Snowbird
Level"
The Hamilton road is followed to the right To
Nichols avenue which is taken to the lett to
the Livingston road, which is also followed to
the left.
At the crossing Of Oxen run surratts old
mill will be observed a short distance up stream
to the left.
At Payne's store, a short distance beyond.
ST. Barnabas road is passed on the left. just
beyond here Gum brook is crossed, near which
runs the hns that separates the District from
Maryland.
Half mile from here. looking toward the
west through indention in the ridge. YOU
are furnished good view Of the city Of Alex
andrIa.
The country. about here for miles in every
direction is called Oxon Hill. The whole tract.
embracing z,aoo acres, was originally owned by
a Dir. Thomas Berry.
Aspen brook IL soon crossed, and another
three-quarters Of mile brings us to Oxon
Hill store, which is the center of a prosperous
looking settlement. The store, which is in the
angle formed by the junction Of Livingston
IL To- ~
Gillett.
Oxon Hill Methodist Church stands in spa
cious fenced yard southeast of the store fhe
church edifce is quite ancient, having been
punt more than seventy years ago. and there is
tradition in the neighborhood that the bricks
IN 1t were imported from England. The old
bible used on the altar. which was printed in
Philadelphia in 1919, was presented by Mrs.
Dr. Butts IN 1921 to the ministers of the circuit
kevs H. B. Vinton. Samuel Ellis and Shadrick
Chaney. Outside the west fence is a grave
yard. and among the headstones is one at the
grave OF an old colored woman, which bears a
decidedly eccentric epitaph, of which the fol-
lowing Is . literal copy:
Charity A. Green.
Died June %, 1878.
Her age, 81 years.
Ny suffering time are now over.
am zone to see my Jesus.
OREGON so no maoy 50.
am eer,n,n 10 see my Jesus
The blacksmith shop in this place il operated
by Mr.. S. s. Adams, who has been superin-
tendent Of the roads in the vicinity for many
years.
Now. resuming the tramp along the Grimes.
vile road to the right, an eighth of mile
brings you to public school. II il three
quarters OF a mile from here to the old Gels
Doro road Southeast of this latter road stands
the OLD oxon Hill mansion, the home Of Thos.
Berry, original proprietor of the once immense
Oxon Hill estate. The present estate comprises
some zoo acres. and is owned by Mrs. s. Tay-
Tor Suit of Suitland. The house occupies a
commanding site opposite the mouth Of Hunt
ing creek, overlooking the Potomac, with Alex
1t is three miles from here to Fort Foote. The
road that runs by the house IA continuation of
the Grimesvilie road is a private road built BY
Mr. SUIT shortly before his death and leads TO
Fox's Ferry, opposite Alexandria
Fox's Ferry at one time was a place of con
siderable importance, supporting a hotel and
steam ferry boat, but its glory has departed.
The hotel Is in ruins and the ferry boat has been
supplanted by row boat
Continuing, the old Gicsboro' road il taken
to the right presently passing on the left the
old Alexandria road, which is now practically
abandoned so far as vehicle trathc 10 con-
cerned-
quarter of q mile south of Oxon run you
pass on the left Fox's Ferry path, which leads
andria.
To one who is fond of plants and flowers and
grasses this cut across the fields would prove Q
oenghtiui diversion At the ferry row boat
takes Passengers to Alexandria, from which
place Washington can be reached by ferry or
oxon run is now crossed by . rudeiy con-
structed footway. The old road in this yicin-
ny II badly washed out by frequent rains and
freshets and Is almost abandoned - Q public
highway.
The road connected with The proposed South