Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-08-16
DAYS BEFORE THE WAR
OLD-TIME POLICEMAN INDUCES IN
"REMINISCENCES.
Lieut.. James johnson RecOunts Ex-
periences as Member of the Metro
pOlitan Police Force.

Lieut. James Johnson for many years a
member of the metropolitan police force
and long in charge of what was once the
second precinct, which then embraced all
of the city and county north Of n street
between the Eastern branch and Rock
creek, Is one of the oldest residents OF that
section. and IL living on Brightwood ave-
nue. 9th street eXtendeD near Whitney
avenue. Mr.. johnson is native of Wash
ington, having been born on 18th street be-
tween r and streets in 1913, when that
portion of the city was veritable country
in its character Possessing a remarkably
retentive memory, his recollections of the
frontier times of Washington ofttimes in
terest his acquaintance.
"In my boyhood days" says Mr.. John
son. there was but slow progress in set
Ting eth street. There was kennel of
hounds kept near our house, for fox
hunting was a great sport in those days,
and DIR. Jones, who served as city post
master many years, lived on the east side
of eth street between p and Q streets. In
the thrties on the site of the o street mar
ket. Mr.. Michael Hoover built brick
house, and l don't think there was another
house above the poor house grounds.
Yes ] remember the excitement caused
by the killing of Martin. l was a little boy
then. but could set a horse, and, small is
l was. l Joined in the hunt for the perpe-
element in the city when 1t learned
that Devaughn had killed the man, and
the people came out in crowds and with
lanterns searched the woods for a night
and day, and finally found him. with 4
gun, sitting at the foot of tree not far
from his house. The chief desire of the
crowd was his capture. There We're
threats OF taking the case beyond the
courts. He was tried in Alexandria, where
he was hung
The Snow Riot
another exciting time was in the '30s.
when the Snow riot took place. Snow
was a colored caterer, who kept a restau-
rant on the site of the Atlantic Coast Line
building. 9Th street and Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and 1t was alleged that he had used q
remark derogatory to the white ladies' in
the market. The public mind was in
famed and the excitement reached our sec
ton. 1t being reported that he had made
for the slashes. the few settlers went to
beating the bushes to rout him out, but in
vain. Shows stock was destroyed, and had
he been caught his death would. have re-
suited
Few were the schools we had then.
was sent to the one kept at 14th and G
streets. nearly two miles from home. 1t
was kept by Henry Ould and we had then
the eight-hour rule-the school hours being
from to IL and to 5; and there was little
laugh. other than the three Rs-reading,
'riting and 'rithmetic.' Some little history,
geography and grammar was taught. but
the best used book was the speller and de-
finer. The best boys were made monitors,
and for imperfect recitations We were made
TO stand in a ring. and the rod was not
! spared. Many the time has Mr.. Ould told
me to bring him bunch of hickory
! switches. and nearly always 1 was one of
| the boys to catch it
Talk about your sports OF today! They
may be more intricate and systematic than
the old games, but We had our fun with
| handy, round cot, box. prisoners base long
| or short fox, hob scob and SUCH Then our
races were tests of both celebrity and en-
| durance. Why! would you believe It? 1
| have at noon hour with numbers raced all
| the way from school to the old race course
| nov Holmead Manor, a distance of two
miles: would spend near half an hour look
| ing at the sights and get back by 1 O'Clock
besides eating our, lunch We had an in
| centive, too. for the teacher was not slow