The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1898-04-21
ONCE EXECUTIVE MANSION.
The Old "Octagon House, at Wash
ingtOn, ID. c., and ITS Interest,"
ing History.

One of the most lnte4eStlng houses in
the city of Washington is that which
stands on the corner of New York ave-
nue. and Eighteenth Street, commonly
known as the "octagbn" house. 1t is
Interesting on account of the fact that
| it was once used as tide executive man
sion.
In 1898 Col. John Thyloe, whose rep
utation seems to have been based large
~ on the fact of his being the richest
man in Virginia, d34ided to build a
home for himself ftnfamily in the city
of Philadelphia 1anywing to the per-
suasions of 6 cruiSs hington changed
his mind an4ish priI tstead the octagon
house, in WI heme.considered in those
days very louf-of-the-way portion of
the city. Gen. Washington assisted in
making the plans and took the keenest
interest in its erection.
Col. Tfyloe entertained what was
known the Unofficial set, which COM
prised some of the first families of
Washington, but it was not until the
burning of the white house in 1S14that
it became political center. Then it was
that he removed his family to one of
IBIS Virginia plantations and offered to
rentIthe house 10 President Madison,
which offer was accepted.
Although unoccupied for years, it
stands to-day almost the same as it
stood in the days when men and women
| of fashion thronged its rooms. On as
! ;ul+ e e+- -,
tering he broad doorway one finds
| himself in q hall almost circular in
| shape; the marble thing which once
| formed the floor is now superseded by
| pine boaUls; two stoves of antique pat
tern front each other from inches in OPP
posite walls. Beyond is another hall,
from which opens on the right the ball
room where Dolly Madison held some
of her famous receptions. Aside from
the height of the ceilings and the size
of the room there 5 nothing left to re-
mind one of its ancient splcndor OK
cept a mantelpiece of reputed value,
some one having at ore time offered
| $500 for its possession. 1t is beautifully
wrought in iron and was probably i'm
ported. Directly opposite the ballroom
is the dining-room, where numberless
guests have been entertained, while
over the circular hall is a small room,
also circular in shape, which was used
by President Madison as an office. Here
it was that the treaty of Client was
signed.
At the rear of the mansion is the gar
den. surrounded by wall some ten or
twelve feet in height, parts of which
are now in tumble-down condition. 1t
is recorded that in this garden may still
be found traces of what were known
as "nigger auction blocks" for Col.
Tayloe was large slave owner. having
had 500 in his possession at one time.
For years past the house has had an
uncanny reputation on account of the
numerous ghost stories which are in
circulation concerning the strange
sounds heard within its walls. One of
the stories afioat is that old Col. Tayloe
sealed within his cellar creole wom-
an and left her there to die. Her skel-
eton is said to be still entombed. and
the supposed screams of the woman
may vet be heard. Another story is that
if any member of the Tayloe family
should find certain vault in the house
it will necessitate the selling of the
property, but if it is found by anyone
else all will be well. Efforts have been
made to find the missing vault, yet its
whereabouts remain a mystery.
The Waterman, who has lived there
for seven years, claims, however, that
he has never vet heard a sound which
could be attributed TO the supernatu-
raj. Nevertheless there is one story
which has the semblance of truth.
While the Tayloes were occupying the
house the doorbell rang one day, but
The maid on answering it could see no
one. Again it rang. and this time the
old colonel himself went, but there was
no one there. Finally all the bells in
the house started ringing and nothing
could stop them. They continued ring
ing until the Tayloe family took their
departure. The local papers noted the
phenomenon at the time of its occur
rence.-N. Y. Times.