The National tribune., 1898-03-17
CHAPTER XXI.


Princess Georgetown Aristocrats-Th'
Philip Barton key-Gen. Forrest at Ros
dale.
On the northwest conner of 9th and
streets is a square built brick house tina
was once the home of Salmon p. Chase
who was successfully Governor of hi
State. Senator in Congress, Secretary O
the Treasury and Chief Justice of thu
Supreme Court. In the country's dires
need for level headed men, he was the on,
who carried it's finances triumphantly
through the great civil war, and was lastl!
Chief Justice of the highest Court in The
land.
Ii was i'm this house that the beautiful
Kate Chase graced the home of her great
father il is said that her history would
in part be a history of the war; that nj
one woman had more to do in influencing
the movements on the military and politica
cheSsboard than she, and ii was her IN
fiuence largely that kept Mcclellan al
the head of the army. An unfortunate
marriage TO a man of brilliant promise, fol
the sake of the father she adored, which
failed by the smallest chance of making
him the Chief Magistrate of the Nation,
proved her downfall. There was time
when Mrs. SpragueS position, her ex-
quisite grace, her beauty of form and
feature gave her the ascendency in society.
Self-exiled was she for years. Edgewood,
on the outskirts of the city, the country
home of the family, had most of the time a
deserted look. The change that came
upon this once happy family laid its hand
also upon beautiful Edgewood.
An organization of members of the bar
from Ohio, in the Summer of 1886. removed
the remains of Mr.. Chase 10 Cincinnati,
where he was best known as a lawyer.
Mrs. Kate Chase Sprague returned from
Europe to attend the last sad rites in
honor of the father she adored.
The Nation will always reverence the
name of Salmon II. Chase, and not forget
the beautiful daughter who went down into
the valley of suffering through filial affec-
ton and aspirations.
Not many years ago there were un-
earthed in Georgetown some tablets of
great vail to the lover Of antiquities.
These slabs bear date so remote that most
of the Inscriptions have been eaten away
Icy the tooth of time, but there remains
sufficient to identify the Beale family,
whose estate comprised what is known as
Georgetown flights.
Far hack in the ShadOwy Fast the clear
ringing tongue OF the Celtic Bell made
melody in the ear of an Indian Princess,
who soon after became his wife. The first
ffelHt vi young pan hdS d W oii
founded upon Duplbarton Rock afterwards
n log cabin snuggled in these woody
nights. Here Madam Bell. attended by
her pale-faced consort. led the fashion
without rival, and with none TO dispute her
sway.
To the east stretched their vast posses
sions, which embraced all the land within
the scope of vision between the cottage
and the rising sun Over the stormy seas
came the winged sailing vessels, bringing
rich brocades and laces for this duSky
queen. Her costumes were hall civilized
and half baTbaric.
These ancient Georgetown aristocrats
have been slowly undergoing the bleaching
process, and the past hundred years have
almost obiterated the last trace OF Indian
origin But true 10 their instinct they
Were the first to seize the deadly nlusket in
The Southern cause; and the late battle
fields of the South are made richer by the
bones OF the last OF the aristocracy OF
Georgetown.
After the Bells came The Peters family,
whose slave call was answered by hun
dreds OF sable men Georgetown Nights
in those days, was called the Tudor es-
tate, in memory OF the royal line in Eng
land.
The Peters family was related TO the
Washingtons and the Lees. Washington
Peters is the most prominent descendant
of this aristOcratic family but the last
from him, and he lives on "A farm at Fill
cots Mills, a man Of nearly eighty years.
He alone retains the naughty bearing of
the proud family, the last Of his race whose
hand has rested on the yoke OF a slave.
The shifting panorama shows us Protes-
tant Thuldkill, who through the influence
OF Archbishop Carroll, of Baltimore, gave
the extensive grounds, now occupied by
the Georgetown College and Convent, TO
the Catholic Church, during the latter part
of the last century. But little has come
down to US of the social element ot the
Huldkills. They were a family OF culture
and refinement, and institutions of learn
ing That have sprung up under their foster
ing care are their enduring monuments.
The following amusing incident was re
lated Ia US by friend:
Mi 1huldi1lll was a great stock breeder
ON his estate, Georgetown flights. When
MerIno sheep first attracted attention in
THIS country he had obtained a small flock
and had been negotiating for some time
FOR a ram. At length il reached Washing
ton. He mounted his horse and rode
anxlousiy Ia see and possess il. il was a
splendid animal, with a price correspond
incly high He bought il. engaged Il cart
and negro driver and hastily addressed a
note TO Mrs. ThuldkilI, saying that a
stranger and several gentlemen would dine
with them, and Ia have especially a leg of
mutton done up IN superior style; adding
also: The coloTed boy who delivers this
takes over a splendid ram; please see TO
T."
The ram was tied up, and the preimi-
naues OF the feast arranged. In reference
10 the mutton, Mrs. Thuldkill consulted
ner steward, and they concluded from the
tenor OF the note that the animal sent by
the cart was TO supply the leg Of mutton
Tor the festive board; so. accordingly. that
costly and fine ram was yictimiZed and
his plump quarter dressed. gaTniShed and
served smoking at the head Of the table.
After some preliminary libations at the
sideboard, the guests were seated. and a
generous slice Of mutton was placed upon
each plate. They unanimously decided
mat II was very superior. and the host
heartily Endorsed the sentiment and turn
ing 10 his delighted spouse, inquired from
which particular flock il had been taken
She. Of course, responded: 1T was the
large ram you sent for the occasion this
morning.
This was too much. The old gentle
mans cue stood on end, his face was
fairly purple, for AT first he was dunn
founded. He arose from his chair nearly
upsetting the table and brought his fist
down with tremendous thump, and, with
an emphasis pinned with oaths, said:
Madam, you have slaughtered my mag
nlfcent ram, for which | paid $500 this
morning. ii was a scene so ridiculous IL
rs said. one OF the guests was obliged 10
withdraw 10 have out his laugh.
Coming down To the last 20 years we
find the aristocracy OF Georgetown strongly
fa.ored with merchants and trades people.
The Inthicum mansion, which is one Of
the finest. was built and owned by hard