Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-24
Demolition of Building Erected Near
ly a Century Ago.
MANY DISTINGUISHED OCCUPANTS
Where Lincoln Was Oined Prior
to His Inauguration.
FAMOUS RESORT

One of the oldest landmarks-a first-class
brick residence of the carly days of Wash
ington-which for nearly century has
stood at the northwest corner of 9th and ID
streets northwest, vas recently torn down.
DR.. w. W. Stewart, who has owned the
property since 1880, is engaged in the cree
ton of modern office building of six
stories on the site.
The old building is remembered by many
of the residents as a handsome old-fash-
toned structure of brick OF three stories and
attic, with two-storied wing on the south,
in which the rooms were all of commodious
size and every part of door, window ana
mantel of handmade work. In demolishnS
it ample evidence was found of the kind
of workmanship the mechanics of the early
years of the century were capable of in the
substantial character of the walls, in the
frmness of the joints in door and frame, and
in the interior work, which was in such
order that it could be again used. In fact,
the only adverse criticism evoked during
the work Of tearing down the old structure
was when it was found that one of the
rooms had been papered at least seventeen
times, for that many layers of paper
were peeled off. Beneath these were penciled
the name of one of the paper hangers from
Alexandria and the date 1SS.
In eXcaVating for the foundation Of the
new building ore of the original bound
stones was removed, probably the last one
in the central part of the city. These were
placed a the southeast corner of each
square, and bore on the top the number of
the square and the letter and number of
the streets, and the buildings at this point
never having extended to the line of 9th
and d streets, the stone had rested over a
century in view of the public.
Davy Burns' Farm.
The Sife-narfc IF lo+S >
fronts 81 feet IL inches on 9th street and
116 feet inches on d street. 1t was part
and parcel of the Davy Burns farm in
cluded in the site of the federal city, and
on the partition between the United States
and the original proprietors lot J. on the
corner, fell to the United States and lot
to Burns. The first was conveyed by the
Commissioners in 1902 to Walter S. Chand-
Ter who, in the early part Of 1905, passed
the title to Benjamin Stoddert, and Stod-
dert few months afterward convened it
to the Washington Tonline COmpany'S trus-
tees. from whom il was purchased by VIM.
Hewett in 1915. Lot was conveyed by
Burns heirs to Henry Knowles in 1901. and
the latter conveyed it to Mr.. Hewitt in
1871 The title at Mr., Hewitt's death. in
1899. passed under his will to his wife and
four children. By the death of his son
Thomas, with his wife and children. who
were drowned when the steamer Arctic was
lost in the Jos, and the death of one Of his
S. Wallach and Mrs. Raymond w Burch.
and about twenty years ago it was pur-
chased by Mrs. r. r. Miller. who in 1881
sold 1t TO the present owner DR. w. w.
Stewart.
The date when the site was first improved
is uncertain, but it is believed the building
was erected by Mr.. Stoddart prior to his
conveyance to the Tontine Company in
1903. but possibly by Mr.. Chandler The
original building was one of two stories
and attic, and if Mr.. Hewitt was not th,
first owner he was almost a lifelong ten
ant and owner. This gentleman was prom
inent in the affairs of the old corporation
and that he was a valued officer is appar-
ent from the fact that he served under
Mayors Brent, Rapine. Blake, Orr Small
wood, Carberry, Weightman, Gales, Van
Ness Bradley and Force, from 1910 to his
death in 1879, and was also secretary of
I he upper branch of the councils from 1909
10 IoZO lie was, too, prominent in the
Masonic order, and, being the grand mas
ter, lard the corner stone of the city hall in
1870. Living not far from some of the
leading families of the city, while some of
the foremost public men We're among the
friends of the family UP to the date of mis-
death. Mrs. Hewitt and her daughters fire.
quently entertained the many associates of
the popular municipal officer and Mason.
The two weddings of the daughters-one of
whom married Major c. S. Wallach and the
other Mr.. Raymond w. Burch-was IF the
old-time home weddings of that period in |
character, and the specious parlors and
halls We're filed by the many friends of
the parties
An Added Story.
After the death of Mr.. Hewitt the house
was enlarged by the addition of a story |
making it, including the attic, a house of
four floors, and by the erection of a wing
pRAcTfC