The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-05-02


THE HOUSE AS IT APPEARS To-pAH
fences, similar to those which adorn
the beautiful Mount Vernon home OF
Washington even until this day. A
great deal of the best property on CAPT.
tol hill was purchased by Washington,
jefferson, Carroll and other prominent
men, who believed that great city
would rapidly grow around the capitcl
and other federal buildings. In this .
they were mistaken, because the ci.v
has grown away OF to the northwest
and property on capitol hill 10 not evcu
yet of great value.
George Washington's Federal CITY
residence was built after the masonic
idea. facing east. II stands upon a FAR
allei with the capitol building. upon
what is now North Capitol street. In
that early day, looking from the front
of the house. the eye rested upon
plateau OF meadow lard, which was
bounded by the horizon-.ipped hills Of
Maryland. To-day, looking from the
front windows of the house. the view 10
obstructed by rows Of brick houses:
and all around the place there have
been builded residences. houses Of
merchandise. factories and public
buildings. while the original village has
grown into cityhood. There are more
than three hundred Thousand reopIa
now residing within the District OF CO.
lumbia-
For many years the celebrated house
has been used as third-rate or fourth,
rate hotel. The local newspapers have,
from time TO time. suggested 20 con-
gress the advisability OF purchasing
this building and preserving IL for its
historic associations. The congress.
however, is not sentimental, but prac-
tical; and there seems no likelihood
that anything viii be done In that di-
rcction- For many years the ho..se in
which Abraham Lincoln died vas used
as a boarding house. and or.ly In the last
few years has an association been
formed TO preserveit. Nothing has been
done, and nothing now seems likely TO bo
done. to purchase or perpotuato this
historic place
The old roof line L. plainly visible,
although the modern mansard sets IN
on both Sides and forms an obtuse anglo
where il joins the original line of COW
ering. An additional building has been
erected on. tho north side of the house.
but the bricks used arose different that
no amount Of painting can obiitsrata
the line OF demarkation- Viewed from
the back yard, some Of the original
foundation stones can be seen az the ton
of the second story. The house now
contains 20 rooms. but originally there
were only 80 apartments
II George WASHINGTON coui6 sons
back on earth to-day. he would un-
doubteily be surprised TO find bis orig.
iDal palatial residence converted into
boarding house. with the big rvcep-
Gon-room fixed up as hotel Offices
fir escapes along the south froet and
q balcony clear across the second story.
where his foundation stones were laid.
He would find no bronze knocker on tho
big front door. but in its stead. would
discover an electric button
Admiral Wilkes, of the navy. pur.
chased the mansion from the WASH
ington heirs. and sold ~ 20 John Tsltys
IN Irish-Aneriozu aAloonkespcr. who
managed a pooiroom and baSroom al
a one-time prominent hotsi. and be-
came wealthy IN that busincEs- When =
law was passed against gambling. John
Tally moved across the District bound
airy. and kept up that business. IT,
rented the house 70 a man named Hill-
man, who gave IL his name. and 10 IL To
this day popularity known en- the Hill
man house. Mr.. Hillman was IN bust
ns<s there for 20 years. but the building
In low temporarily urocoupdad.
When the British soldiers destroyed
tho capitol building and ravaged tho
little city in 1914 tbey'vsspected the
residences Of Washington, and Il was not
injured nor invaded.
A story hss been current That Wash
i1yton once bad his military hes6qnAr-
tiers IN this beiidirg; but that f. nos
true Tho residenoc WIZ no: coutesn-
plated nor erected until after the inde-
pendencs of the United States govern
n,ent had becn achieved, and Washing
ton was getting 20 be "a old rozn vhe.
be built II.
I.is exceedi10iy urfor<RaAte shst tbs
Building has ever ben tempered with
or changed: for IL should hAv, been lefs
a. originally ecr<zic,ed. % thas ~
might Be . monument "a his memory.
ard a. obiectof >eoeratioa for al t.De:
iust IN his country bona II Mount Yer
non has bean. anS always NIL be. 70 tss
oeople Of thiz repuliic-
9xETH n. YHY.