The National tribune., 1900-06-21

for 10 years, and under its roof he enter
tanned the most eminent Americans OF
his time, and all the distinguished foreign
ers who visited the Capital.
July 4. 1916, Mrs. Tayloe died. Three
years after Mr.. Tayloe married Miss
Phoebe Warren, OF Troy. During one of
his visits to Miss Warren he mentioned
TO her that he was without 4 manager for
hrs city hotel She told him at once that
she knew where just the right man could
be found. if he could be persuaded to
change his business and his home. He
was a dear friend Of hers, she knew his
qualifications, and she would send for him.
This young man was running 4 steamer on
the Hudson River.
He was sent for, the bargain was
closed, and Henry 4. Willard took pos
session of the City Hotel, and, according
to the old Directories it took the name
of Wizards Hotel from that time, which
was 1870
The business of the house grew apace.
Mr. Willard soon associated with him
his older brother, Joseph Willard, and
later his brother C. c. Willard. In the six
ties the house was again enlarged and
run up to L st.
Probably no hotel in the country has
entertained more celebrities than the Viii
lard. Its name and fame reached from
sea 10 sea, and upon its registers could
be found the names Of people represent
ing the four quarters Of the earth.
One Of the early incidents OF the civil
war was the part Col. Ellsworth and his
regiment of Fire Zouaves took in the
Spring of 1861, when Wizards Hotel took
FIRE from an adjoining small hotel, where
the fire originated. This regiment had
reached Washington aud was quartcred in
Ale House of Representatives. The fire
broke out the morning of May 8, and
threatened the destruction of Wizards.
The word reached the Capitol Col
Ellsworth ordered out 100 Zouaves to as
sist III eXtinguishing the fire. but scarcely
man Of the regiment remained behind.
They jumped out Of the windows of the
Capitol and scaling the fences that then
enclosed the grounds broke down the
doors of the engine-house, took out the
machine and reached the spot before the
city frcmen were awake.
They worked like beavers, performing
wonderful feats of agility and bravery.
hhey formed pyramids, standing upon
each others shoulders; scaled lightning
rods, carrying the hose with them. For
want of ladders two IDuaycs held another
by his heels from the caves while he head
downward, played the hose into the burn
Ing building. For two hours they fought
the fiery element. and succeeded in say
ing the whole structure. They formed
themselves into a guard and protected the
whole mass of household goods and chat
tells that had been moved into the street
Mr. Willard in testimony of his graft
tude presented Col. Ellsworth with $500
which the Colonel sent to the New York
Fire Committee, under whose auspices
the regiment had been raised. to be de
voted 10 providing medals for such mem,
bcrs Of the regiment as should survive the
war.
After Col. Ellsworth's tragic death the
committee voted to appropriate the money
10 the erection of a monument to his mem
DRY.
In the course Of years il became neces
sary TO dissolve the partnership of the
Willard brothers, and the famous old
hostelry was put up TO the highest bidder
and Joseph Willard made the purchase
q O. Willard then built the Ebbitt House
The Willard has since been ged
By various firms and lessees, one of the
most successful being Mr. o. G.. Staples
VINO Tor many years was mine host 10 the
great travelling public. Not only has Col
staples acted the part of host to the itin,
Grant world, but he has been the Good
Samaritan through the years to clubs and
societies that were homeless; in fact more
than the cup of cold water has been dis,
pensed from his generous hand. The
Woman's National Press Association,
which was organized in 1852, has had its