Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-10-15
THE GREAT SHAFT.
The Start of the Washington Monument
Witnessed by Many still Living.

The start Of the Washington Monument
Witnessed by Many still Living.
There are many persons in Washington who
saw both the commencement and finishing OF
the Washington monument The corner stone
was laid on July 4, 1873. only forty-four years
ago, and the memory of that day is quite fresh
in the minds Of many.
The Sycamore" and Point bathing places
were not far from the site selected, and fire.
quently boys would cross necr the foundation
excavation on their way to these places to swim
or to play about the shore. The boys, as well
as their parents, we're interes ed In the monu-
ment and hundreds Of families had subscribed
and received certificates Of membership bear
ing the picture of Washington. Not only were
the boys all interested in the monument, but
they watched with interest the laying of the
blue rock foundation, which was commenced
several weeks before the corner stone was laid.
Nearly every blow on the corner stone was wit
messed by some OF them. and when the recepta-
Gle was chiseled out FOR the box each small chip
ping of stone was seized a memento.
One of these collectors is now a reporter on
The STAR and for years he treasured about a
quarter of peck Of corner stone clippings.
THE PROCESSION.
The procession, as remembered by Capt ii.
G. Birch, Harry Lyles, A. r. Allen and others,
was for that date most imposing one. contain
ing, as II did, number of visiting organiza-
tons and having about 1000 persons in line.
1t formed on Louisiana avenue at 10 O'Clock in
the morning. under the late Joseph II. Bradley,
who had among his assistant marshals Col
Lem Towers and Mr. A. s. H. White. both Of
whom are living. The occasion being just after
the Mexican war those who participated were
looked for with interest. Maj. Gen. Quitman
commanded the military, Col Charles May the
cavalry and Gen. Cadwalader the infantry.
The Laurel Troop, Marlboro Cavalry.
Mounted Carbineers OF Baltimore and Ringgold
Cavalry of Alexandria and Eagle Artillery of
Baltimore were in line. also the Independent
Blues, Independent Grays, City Guard, Mary
land Cadets, Sharp Shooters and Columbian
Rihemen came from Baltimore, the Light
Guard from Boston and q company from
Fredericksburg. Va The Mount Vernon Guard
came from Alexandria, while the District COM
panies were the Light Infantry, National Blues
and Independent Greys of Georgetown.
Three fine companies from Baltimore helped
the four Washington companies, and numbers
of Odd Fellows lodges, Sons of Temperance
aud Masons were in line.
THE LUNCH STOLEN.
One little incident Of the day was the cleaning
out Of the booth a collation. set for the invited
guests. Near the foundation this booth
constructed and within were the tables set for
the company. Boys will be boys, and those Of
the old time were quite as full of mischief as
the present generation. At that time there was
q young eolored mana slave to one Of the old
West End famiies-whow was famous for an appe-
title that could only be satisfied on extra occa-
sions. He was ordinarily well-behaved, law
abiding man, but the boys, seeing an opportu-
nifty for fun, got the eater partially drunk and
m n IN in fh1 nfh and
help himself. While the crowd were intently
interested in the proceedings. which also at
tracted the walters from the BOOTH the master
Of the gastronomic act let loose in the booth.
From one end Of the table to the other the sand
witches, cold ham. beef tongue &c disappeared
with fearful rapidity, and when the tables were
cleared the eater left. On the return of cooks
and walters their surprise can be imagined, and
for time it looked serious to them. but much
smaller lunch they managed to fix up, and the
speakers were not, therefore, compelled to go
hungry.
Mr.. PARKER's ACCOUNT.
As q further interesting chapter in regard to
the early history Of the monument the follow
ing communication from Mr.. J. Collegiate
Parker Of Lakeland, Nd, is well worth atten-
ton. Mr.. Parker says:
las recollections of the incidents connected
with the Washington monument are in order,
allow me to give you mine. l was the ave-
nue. with my friend, the late S. Ratcliff Hawley,
when the corner stone was being dragged along.
We manned the ropes and pulled until il stuck
on l4th street bridge As We were leaving the
venerable G. W. p Custis patted us on the head
and said, Bows you have assisted in an act
that you should be proud of to the
end of your lives. The sage Of Arlington wore
upon his shoulders pair of epaulettes given
him by Washington. Indeed, he wore them
on all possible occasions.
II was present at the laying of the corner
stone July 4, 1913. Clement T. Coote. esq.,. or
Maj. Is. b. French performing the Masonic
ceremonies. The late Jos. ii. Bradley was. |
am sure. chief marshal of the procession. Maj.
Gen. Winfield Scott L. s. A., commanded the
military portion of the pageant. l think
Jefferson Davis was acting adj
jutant general. Capt Charley May of
the army commanded the cavalry. A few DAYS
after the ceremony Mr.. Coots entered the
Office Of Mr.. Bradley and repeated portions of
Nr. Bsncrofts Grafton in a manner that sur
prised Us all, for Mr.. Coote was about eighty
years of age. He became so enthused that
he would have fallen but for the assistance of
several Of the students After few moments
he recovered and asked if we were present at
the monument and said: You witnessed the
grandest event that has occurred on earth since
the Great Architect of the Universe walked on
earth-the greatest nation doing honor 70 the
greatest and purest hero and statesman He
concluded by saying in fervent manner: MAY
He who Areated all things. the Almighty God,
protect. herish and defend this country for
evermore.'
The above are nv recollections of that event.
Vet, when one yerges as near three score and
ten as | memory Is apt to play pranks."