davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1898-12-15


was appropriated for footways to be made
for the convenience of Congress.
Congress Takes Action.
I'm 1890 a committee of the House of
Representatives was appointed to inquire
into the expediency of making provision
by act of Congress or otherwise for the
Improvement and repair of the street in
Washington city, called the Pennsylvania
avenue from the Presidents house to the
Capitol, on the McAdam plan, Or other per-
manent manner In its report the COM
mittee pronounced the street neither safe
nor convenient and declared it to be
public highway, the Improvement of which
was necessary to provide a safe ana con
Venient road of communication,
not merely for the convenience OF the cru
Zens of the District of Columbia, but lot
members of Congress, the various and nu-
merous officers of the general government
residing in this District, and the cltlZenS OIL
the states who may have business TO trans
act with Congress and these officers. Inc
Improvement, in accordance with the pan
of the committee, to pave the space pc
tween the middle rows of trees with 'S1Zab
round stone or macadamiZe with pounded
stone and cover the other parts six inches
deep with clean coarse gravel, completed
the reclamation of a large area OF low and
sWampy land enhanced the value of prop
erty encouraged the erection OF buildings
along its course and supplied Sidewalks 1or
the pleasure and convenience or members
of Congress, but only to a limited extent,
if at ALL improved the surface drainage
During the succeeding decades QS5o 10
1850 the avenue was several times I'M
proved by regarding and repaving with cob
blestones (by relaying of brick sidewalks
and curbing), and since by paving, in sue
cession, with wood blocks, concrete and
asphalt.
1.-THE mutilation of the scheme of the
grand canal by authority Of the acts of
Congress of May 1, 1902 and February D,
1909, and other subsequent supplemental
and amendatory acts, granting to the
Washington Canal Company a charter TO
construct for commercial purposes canal
along the courses Of the Tiber and st.
James creek through the territory from the
foot of 18th street west to the Anacosda
river at the foot of I'd street east, was the
first enterprise materially affecting the
drainage Of the city. Through this water
Evening star., 1898-12-15

way the storm and subsoil waters of
large area found outlet to the river. BY
authority of an act approved January 81,
1881, the city purchased this canal and
continued its use for commercial purposes.
Prior to 1871 all the sewers constructed
by the city emptied into it, and as ii flowed
through a greater part of its course a.ong
a natural valley line 1t became the trunk
Train for the central section of the city.
With lesSened use as business enterprise.
and continuously increasing accumulation OF
fifth, it became such nuisance, offensive
alike to sight and smell. and such a menace
20 health, that its obiteration by filling,
pegun in 1871, completed in 1SS0.
The construction of the b street ana
Tiber sewers. emptying respectively into the
Potomac and AnacoStla rivers, which filled
its place as drain and filth carriers, was a
substantial advance in the sanitation of the
city.
Street improvements.
During the long period between the re-
clamation of Pennsylvania avenue and its
Improvement according to the plan of the
committee of the House of Representatives
street Improvement was either stationary
or so slow and unsatisfactory that citizens
grew weary in futile efforts to obtain passa
pie roadways for business purposes through
.he central and most populous section of
he city. few streets were year by year
rudely prepared by filling the low places
along their courses, setting curbstones, lay
ing sidewalks paving cutters along the curb
nnes and covering the carrlageways with
few inches of gravel. In very many in
stances such improvements so obstructed
The natural drainage courses that large
areas of private property were submerged.
The introduction of Potomac water in
1859 marks an important epoch in the his
tory[of sanitation of the city. Previous to
that time the drinking-water supply was OBJ
tanned from springs, pumps, wells and, in
a few instances. from private reservoirs of
rain water collected from roofs. There is
no record of any measurements of the level
of the ground water in any part of the city,
but from observation of the depth of wells
and other sources 1t can be approximately
stated to vary in different localities from a
few feet to greater depths I'm higher local
tiles. The larger and smaller areas of por-
Gus soil must, therefore, have been con-
stantly subject to capillary filtration, even
to saturation, according to seasons. the
amount Of precipitation and the volume of
water in the principal drainage channels.
The geological character of the basin nat
urally favors soil pollution from the seep-
age of the many thousands of cesspools
and other makeshifts, and finally leaky and
Evening star., 1898-12-15
The Water Courses.

I'm addition to the boundary water
courses, there were several creeks into
which numerous spring streams emptied
along their way through the territory. The
three headwater branches of the Tiber, with
sources a elevations varying from 10 feet
and inches to Is}G feet and inches above
the level OF the tide, one of which t1ndS lis
beginning in the grounds of the Soldiers
Home, penetrated the northern boundary
linz at different points between Vermont
and New York avenues. At or near the
latter point they united i'll common
stream, which flowed along q valley in a
southwest direction, reaching the elevation
of It'd water in depression between Capt.
to Hill and Judiciary Square, crossing
PENNSYLVANIA avenue at I'd street west to
B street south, and thence by an abrupt
change in its course to its mouth at the
foot Of 18th street west.
Its watershed covered hundreds of acres,
extending from 14th street west far into the
eastern section. Its banks were Originally
covered with trees and underwood of diff
ferent varieties, and formed a romantic
stream, which overspread in spring
and autumn with wild ducks, and pine
trated as far up as Pennsylvania avenue,
with multitudes of shad, herring, pike,
perch, and other food fishes One of its
largest tributaries, now concealed by i'm
provements, crossed Pennsylvania avenue
between 9th and 10th streets west, having
its source in the springs in Franklin
SCuara.
Evening star., 1898-12-15
CITY SANITATION
Annual Address Of DR.. Busey, Presi-
dent of Medical Society.
BEFORE THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
Resume Of History Covering Period
of lO7 Years.
SEWERS AND PURE WATER

A number of prominent physicians and
distinguished citizens attended the sixth
meeting of the Washington Academy of
Sciences last night to hear the annual ad-
dress of Samuel c. Busey, MD, LID,
pl esldent of the Medical Society of the Dis
trict of Columbia. The meeting took place
in the law building of the Georgetown Uni
versity.
Maj. j. W. Powell, president of the
Washington Academy of Sciences. presided.
and introduced the venerable physician
whose work in Washington has left it's I'M
print upon the medical history of the na-
uonal capital.
DR.. Busey was welcomed with great ap-
plause as he sook his seat at the desk and
read the report, which was entitled The
History and Progress of Sanitation of the
City of Washington and the Efforts Of the
Medical Profession in Relation Thereto"
He said, in part:
WashinEtOn's Tour of Inspection.
when Washington, March 90, 1791 made
a tour of inspection to mark the metcs
and bounds of the site selected for the loca-
ton of the federal city, the territory COM
priSed, IN whole or in part, the farm lands
of nineteen propretors. The area of 500
acres was irregularly cut across by numer-
Gus farm loads for the convenience of
those residing within it's limits. There was
but one roadway running through the en-
tire area from Georgetown to the Eastern
branch, but neither It's course, beginning
hor terminus is stated.
with single exception the farm
dwellings and the outbuildIngs were con-
structed Of wood. Many of the dwellings,
were capacious buildings, and known as
mansion houses, denolng the home, wealth
and social standing of the proprietor. Near
by each one of the stately MANSIONS was
located the family grave yard. The man
sion house OF Motley Young was built OF
brick and the cottage of David Burnes was
a long One-story frame Many of the out
buildings, barns, tenementS and slave
houses We're built of logs.
The city site was bounded on three sides
by streams of fresh flowing water. The
eastern border was swept along a bold
shore by the Anacostia, varying in depth
from four and half to six and a half
fathomS of water, offering an opportunity
for a safe harbor for a naval and mercan-
tile marine and sufficiently capacious for
an extensive commerce. The southern
boundary was washed by the rapid current
of the Potomac from its deep water at the
mouth of Rock creek TO its junction With
the Anacostia. Rock creek on the ives:
then, as now, flowed through a deep ravine
around the horseshoe bend to its outlet
into the Potomac. 1t was then a pic
turesq, stream of unpolluted water, but is
now an open slulceWay for the sewage of
one, and until recently, of both of the
neighbOring cities, not tess offensive to ob-
SerVatiOn than conducive to the production
of mephitic emanatIonS.
Evening star., 1898-12-15

Artists can now obtain Rowney's Famous English
Water Colors II they VIII only ask their dealers for
them,
Evening star., 1898-12-15

dtittNlNt SEWER anu mouse lT3gllS- Stlil pol
luton means, of course water uollution of
al the shallow and many deep wells which
nave recently been drilled in the hope Of
securing purer water supply,
Sewer Construction Begun.
Sewer construction was begun i'm ISla by
an appropriation made by the city govern
ment of s120. to erect AN arch on the
south side of Pennsylvania avenue between
9th and 10th streets During the period
extending from that date to 1871 numerous
sums were appropriated, mostly after the
Introduction of Potomac water by the city
and general governments, which were ex-
pended in the construction OF sewers, with
a few isolated exceptions. in that part of
the city lying south of NJ street north and
between Sd and 18th streets west. These
sewers We're designed to carry storm water,
subsou water and liquid sewage 10 the
canal. The Franklin Square stream was
the main trunk line, which in the beginning
was only arched at street crossings, but it
Continued on Fifteenth Fage)
Evening star., 1898-12-15
Congress Takes Action.

TO be reimbursed by the sale of lots
was appropriated for footways to be made
for the convenience of Congress.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
THE WEATHER

New York Heralds Forecast-In the
Middle States and New England to-day.
fair to partly cloudy, sultry weather
will prevail, with light and fresh
southerly and southwesterly winds. fol-
lowed by rising temperature and local
rain or thunderstorms.
On Wednesday, in both Of these sec
tions, fair weather and light to fresh
westerly to southerly winds will pre-
vail. with slightly higher temperature,
except on the coasts.
On Thursday, probably fair. warmer
weather.
European steamers now leaving New
York Philadelphia and Boston will
have mostly light breezes to the Banks
Forecast for Tuesday ay.-Eastern Penn
sylvania. New Jersey showers and
thunder storms, easterly winds, becom-
ing westerly.
Delaware and Maryland, showers and
thunder storms. cooler. southerly
winds, becoming westerly.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
OYNRnRnMDING srEAMBOAns.

Collector Thomas, Of Philadelphia,
recognizes the grave dangers attend
ing the overcrowding OF excursion
steamers, and is taking steps to pre-
vent IT, In his efforts be should be
supported by all good citizens against
the grasping tendencies OF certain
transportation lines which would risk
hundreds OF lives for the sake OF maxi
ing a few hundred dollars by over
crowding their steamboats,. The ex-
cursion-loving public must also be pro-
tested against itself. Year after year
people take the greatest Of risks, re-
lying upon good luck rather than good
judgment to give them safe home
coming.
In a communication to Surveyor OF
the Port Iytle, giving instructions re-
garding excursion steamers, Collector
Thomas says:
1 desire to call your atteution to the
subject OF overcrowding passenger
steamers during the excursion season,
and would suggest that you have the
inspectors Of customs exercise the ut
most vigilance to prevent steamboats
carrying more passengers than author
lied by the inspection certificates, sup
plemented by such excursion permits
as may be issued by the United States
local inspectors OF steamboats,.
TO facilitate carrying into effect this
suggestion you are directed to detail
officers on holidays-ithe Fourth on
July and Labor Day, SEPTEMBER 5, es-
pecially-and on Sundays during the
Summer months, who shall be stationed
at the points of departure OF all steam
boats carrying passengers. 1t shall be
the duty OF these officers to ascertain,
by actual count, the numbers going
aboard such steamboats, and to report
to your office any excess contrary 10
the provisions above STATED.
Ferry boats are not included in this
order. The inspector on DUTY al
Chester should be instructed that when
such boats call at THAT point to take
on passengers the number going on
board should be counted and reported
10 YOU for addition 10 the number
taken on at this city.
! am extremely anxious that no ef
forts should be spared in the strlo'
enforcement OF the steamboat laws, II
order that passengers on excursion
steamers may have the fullest prOtec
tlon. All passenger steamers, there
fore, should be inspected at least semi
monthly to see that they have OF
board, in good condition and easy ac
cess, all appliances for saving life, al
enumerated in the inspection certif
cate. The life belts especially shoul,
be carefully counted, and any def
cheney reported promptly to this office
You will please detail an efficient OF
ficer for this purpose, and impress upol
him, as well as the officers detailed 10
holiday and Sunday duty in connection
with the counting OF passengers, tn
extreme necessity OF a careful an,
faithful performance OF the duties 10
which they have been detailed.
In the course OF a season thousand
Of Wilmingtonians patronize thes
Philadelphia excursion boats, and the
have a vital interest In the matte
treated Of in Collector Thomas CON
munication.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28

Everything conspired 20 make the
press excursion to Fort Mott on Sun
day pleasant and instructive. The
weather was fair; a strong wind pre-
vailed on the river, making the heat
OF the day scarcely perceptible while
on shipboard; the hospitality OF the
Wilmington and Northern officials and
the officers and men at Fort Mott most
charming and the company congenial
in every respect. The newspaper men
and women, and those who were their
guests, will cherish in grateful remem-
brance the exceedingGindness ofSuper-
intendent McCausland and those OF his
associates in the service who went tc
such pains and expense to afford them
day OF pleasurable recreation, anC
also that OF Colonel Glenn, Major Cor.
bett, Captain Easton, Lieutenant
Hun, and others OF the Fourteenth
Pennsylvania Regiment who gave tn,
company a hearty welcome and afford
ed it exceptional opportunities for see
ing the military camp under sucl
pleasant auspices.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
sCIHOFIEulD-WmIlIAMS-

Charles T. o. Schofeld and Miss Mar
tina ]. williams were married last night
at o'clock at the residence of the
bride, No. 1926 Chestnut street. The
ceremony was performed by Rev. T.
e. Montgomery, OF the First Congrega-
tional Church. The bride and groom
were unattended, and only immediate
relatives were present. The parlor was
prettily decorated with potted plants
and sweet peas. The bride wore a
gown OF white Organdie and carried a
bouquet of sweet peas. After the cere-
mony Mr.. and Mrs. Schofield went on
trip to Niagara Falls. Upon their
return they will live at No. 613 West
Ninth street. The bride was a popu-
Lar teacher in No. % public school.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
HE Is INcoRRaGnBuE.

George L. Daniels, a small boy, was
this morning committed by Judge Ball
to the Ferris Reform School. He is
incorrigible. AT the session Of court
last night James Stidham was f7ed 50
and costs for violation Of the street
ordinance in allowing his team to stand
DIN the street over the limited time.
James Clark was fined $40 and costs
for assaulting George w. Lyons.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28

to condemnation strict attention be
paid to paragraph SS4 OF the regula-
tions, which prescribes that public
property in use will not be reported
as unserviceable nor condemned by an
inspector merely because worn OF
shabby in appearance, when really
strong and serviceable."
This will carry with It the sting OF
disappointment to some men who have
been scheming to supply the govern
ment with new rifles to supply the de-
ficiency caused by the condemnation
Of the old ones, but the economic spirit
1t contains viii prove most gratifying
to the public.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28

William F. Robinson, one of the
most prominent Union Republicans OF
the Seventh ward, is in the field for
recorder Of deeds. He announced lis
candidacy to-day, and the action has
considerably disturbed some Of the
other Union Republicans and Regular
Republicans who aspire to the place on
the ticket.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
RECENT LITERATURE

Richard Harding Davis, describing
Admiral Sampson on the bridge OF the
flagship during the bombardment o.
Matanzas 0n July Scribner's), says:
Admiral Sampson was pacing up and
down, looking more like a calm and
scholarly professor of mathematics
than an admiral. For the admiral
Is a slow-Epeaking, quiet-voiced man
who studies intently and thoughtfully
the eyes of everyone who addresses
him, man who would meet success OF
defeat with the same absolute quiet.
ness, an intellectual fighter, a man VIII.
impresses you as one who would figh'
and win entirely with his head"
Evening journal., 1898-06-28

Our state will come in for its share
OF the money appropriated under bill
sent to the Senate on Saturday by the
secretary Of war. 1t indemnities the
governors Of states for expenses in
Cured by them in raising troops for
the Spanish war. The bill authorizes
the secretary OF the Treasury to pay
the governors OF stabes all reasonable
costs incurred in this service. The bill
is similar in its provisions to the act
OF 1861 for a like purpose.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
A COlMNlTTEE MEErrNc

Secretary Wigglesworth, OF the Re
publican First District Committee, this
morning issued call for meeting OF
the committee to be held on Wednes-
day evening at the rooms Of the Young
Mems Republican Club.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
SOCIAL AND PERSONAL NOTES

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL NOIE5.
Mrs. w. H. Murphey, of Pennington,
is the guest of Mr. and Mrs. E. c..
Hardesty.
Peter Gilbert is visiting relatives in
Trainer.
Mrs. William Denney and children
have returned from visit to George
town.
Louis Aufenger, Of Denver, Colo,
supreme trustee OF the A. o. u. w,
has been visiting in this city.
Robert Miller, of Memphis, Tenn, is
visiting his parents, at Henry Clay.
Mr.. and Mrs. William e. Linton
have returned from visit to Cecil
county.
Mr.. and Mrs. T. NJ. Sykes are spend
ing a week at Stewartstown, Pa.
Harry Hopes returned yesterday
afternoon from a three days visit at
Camp Tunnel.
Miss Elizabeth A. MCGOWAN has re-
turned from a visit to Newark.
Miss May Lofand, Of Milford, is Wis
iting in the city.
Former Ambassador Bayard is i'll at
Atlantic City.
Miss Loleta Day entertained several
Of her small friends at her home, No
2O4 East Sixth street last night.
Miss Aimee Jennings, of Baltimore, is
spending the Summer with Mr.. and
Mrs. Clarkson Jennings, at the Hotel
Jennings.
Mrs Robert Deverell has been enter
tanning relatives and friends from
Philadelphia.
w. H. Coulbourn, Of Seaford, is reg.
istered at the Hotel Jennings.
Josiah Marvel expects to return tC
Wilmington in September and resume
the practice OF law.
Mr.. and Mrs. George NJ. Davis will
spend the Summer at Havre de Grace
Nd
General Theodore f. Armstrong, o
Newark, was in Wilmington this morn
ing.
James H. Carpenter, Of Lewes, reg
istered at the Clayton House yesterda!
afternoon.
City Treasurer Curry has a stiff neck
the result Of cold settling in the lead
ers.
Major Edmund Mitchell. Jr., an,
family expect to spend a pleasant Sum
mer In their cottage, at Rehoboth
Mrs. CIarkson Jennings has returne,
from visit to relatives and friends a
Harrisburg.
Miss May APpieby is visiting Mis-
Stella Stroud, in Chester.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28

War brings with it desire for ex-
travagant expenditure. and it is too
often gratiied to the prejudice Of the
public interest. In the present strug-
gle large fortunes have been made by
individuals and corporations which
have been shrewd enough and un-
scrupulous enough to take advantage
OF this tendency on the part OF our pub
lie officials. General Miles appreciates
this, and to guard against it in the
matter OF the condemnation Of rife,
he has issued the following order:
''The attention Of the department
having been called to the fact that ef
forts have been made to cause the con.
demnation Of the Springfield rifles
calibre 45. because in some cases the,
require cleaning or slight repairs tha
can be made in the field, and tha
many OF these arms have had but littl
service OF a kind that could injure thel
accuracy or firing qualities. the sec
retary OF War directs that when arm
are presented for inspection with a vieV
Evening journal., 1898-06-28

In addition to the above, the July
number OF the Pail Mall Magazine will
contain other war features OF extra
ordinary interest. among which may be
mentioned the first OF an important
series Of articles, exQuisitely illustrat.
ed, tracing the evolution of the naval
architecture OF the word from the
'dugout" OF prehistoric times down
to the mOdern man-Of-war. These
articles win be written by Clark Rus.
sell, the famous English writer OF sea
stories.
Christian Burke will contribute z
stirring poem, "The People that De
light in War"
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
no BEGIN NEXT WrEEK

Secretary Wiley, Of the Street and
Sewer Department, this morning an
nounced that after July the paving
Of the several streets selected by the
department will begin. All the bricks
have arrived, and after the work has
commenced it will be hurried to COM
pletion.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
YOUNG HANBY,s IS.

A young man named Hanby, residing
in Brandywine hundred reported TO
some Of the street railway men at
shellpot Park last evening that he had
lost $40 in bills from his vest pocket.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28

Ex-city Councilman Howard E..
Stats declares that he is not in the
legislative daisy field, but that he is
still AN unamlbitious Union Republican
lamb gamboling knee-deep in clover.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
TEACHERs' ExAMrNATIONs.

Teachers examinations for first
grade. second gradeand provisional GER
tiiicates, will be held at Middletown,
Newark, and in school No,1 (Fifth and
Frondh streets) Wilmington. on Satur-
day, July g. 1898.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
REDUCED RATES TO TRENTON, n.
j., VIA PENNSYLVANIA RAIL
ROAD, ACCOUNT PARADE, AN

ROAD, ACCOUNT PARADE, AN
CIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS.
For the benefit of persons desiring
TO witness the parade incident TO the
National Convention of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians, at Trenton, n. J..
Wednesday. June 20, the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company will sell special ex-
cursion tickets from New York, Will
Transport Catawissa, Lewiston juno
tion, Hanover, Washington, Baltimore
and intermediate stations including all
stations in the State of New Jersey to
Trenton and return, at rate of single
fare for the round trip minimum rate
twenty-five cents. These tickets will
be good going and returning on June
20 only.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
POLITICAL NOTES

Robert Burns, Of the Eighth ward.
denies that he is legislative candi-
date. He has a better jcb.
Evening journal., 1898-06-28
IMMENSE BARGAINS IN
Gauze and Summer
MerinO Underwear

Our counter is the place to buy
Stockings and Underwear, and then
you get Trading Stamps besides.
Have you looked into this STAMP
business? IT is ALL RIGHT.