Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-03

as the scene of the trial and execution of
the Lincoln conspirators.
One of the saddest accidents that ever &C.
CURED In this city took place within the
walls OF the old arsenal and shrouded the
city in gloom for many days. A terrible
explosion of one of the labora tories occurred
June IL, 1864, killing twenty-one girls who
were employed there. Their bodies, when
found. were frightfully mangled and the
building wrecked. Here were manufactured
our Fourth of July fireworks, which the
good fathers of the republican Congress
assembled-annually provided for the enter
tainment of the people of the District, and
which were set of on that sulphurcus night
in blaze of patriotic glory just outside of
the north wall.
The bluff just east of the arsenal known
as BuzZards Point, was for many years
the roost of immense numbers of that
black and ominous' bird. from which the
point derives its name. 1t was always
lonely, isolated and barren spot, and there
are but few houses there today A little
further on to the right are the beautiful
grounds of the insane asylum. This was
formerly the extensive farm of Thomas
Blagden, who erected a rustic observatory
on the crest of the hill, which could he
seen for miles and which comman led a
magnificent view of the cfty and Alexan-
dria. "Blagden's Observatory was a prom
inent landmark for years. Almost adion-
ing these grounds was picturesque Poplar
Point, then thickly studded with tall grace
fui Lombardy poplarS. Here lived a certain
recluse, with no one to share his solitude
but faithful slave. He was very hcsoit-
able, however, to those whom he chose to
see, and was noted for the preparation OF a
dish, which was then very popular here,
namely, roast ''shoat," and when dressed
and garnished with herbs by his cunring
hand 1t was dish fit for epcures. Stand
ing on the bank of the river and directly
opposite the navy yard, in a lovely grove
of trees. is the old home of the late George
W. Talbertt the friend and companion of
John Howard Payne. 1t was here beneath
these oaks that Payne wrote his immortal
song OF Home. Sweet Home" The Tai
bertts owned a great part of the land on
which the thriving suburb of Anacostia
now stands. At the time referred to Ana
costa had no place on the map, but on its
site were some of the finest truck farms in
the south The entire region from Giesboro'
to Bladensburg was proyerbial for its early
vegetables and luscious melons In fact,
Eastern branch products are at a premium
yet in this and other markets.
Ina the Old Slave Days.
In the old slave days the plantations lying
along. the river were dotted with negro
cabins and were often the scene of much
merry making among the blacks. Old resi-
dents of that section can recall the plaintive
melodies that f1oated out on the crisp ati-
tumn nights from the gay corn huskers
who would prolong their merry meetings
far into the night; ard at Christmas times.
with iddle and the indispensable tambourine
as basso profundo, they held high carnival
by the light of the moon "over the branch"
The only house at the other end of the
bridge at that time was the Anacostia
Tavern; a very wise dispensation no doubt
as the roads were very dusty and a goodly
number of thirsty souls Travelled that way
and, besides, the tempting array of old
fashioned round-bellied bottles that adorned
the shelves was simply irresistible.
The bridge at this point was not a free
one at that time and toll was exacted and
paid in more than one sense; for tradition
tells us that it was the favorite trusting
place for ardent SWANS and suscept ible
country lassies, who paid tribute unto Cupid
as well as toll to the bridge tender. 1t was
also great resort for the disciples of Isaak
Walton, who loved to cast their lines in
pleasant places, and who presented a for
midable front as they lined up on either
side of the bridge with military precision
and angled for hours, regardless of time
and tide
Before the Bridge Was Built.
On the left crest above the bridge was
the old ferry wharf," where many years