The times., 1901-04-07
A MANSION WITH HISTORY
The Decay of the Old House Of
Governor of the District.
Hi~cbievous Boys Aid in Disnan-
fling the Famous Home. Which
Was Once the scene of SpIeBdOr.
Ghost stories Told About the Place

\ veil of mystery appears to enshroud
the old Cooke mansion, corner Of Thir-
tieth and Q Streets. Georgetown. 1t has
stood for fifty years. landmark
and proud reminder Of the days when
Henry D. Cooke occupied the chair
Of Governor Of the District of Co
numbia. For a decade or more it has
been deserted. except by watchman
who has prowled about during the hours
of darkness. Few persons now in George
town have been within the mansion,
stately, almost aWe-inspiring pile, with
nearly half hundred spacious rooms.
Nobody apparently remembers just
when the Cooke mansion was built. It
stands now as il has since before the civ
Il war-far back in a large yard. Front
ing toward Thirtieth Street, about fifty
yards from the curbing. the mansion pre-
serts a side view 10 residents of . Street,
a ncighborhood ultra-aristocratic in old
Georgetown. The building is three sto-
ries high with a cellar. and is surmount-
ed by a cupola, which commands a view
Of the city In many directions. II is Of
brick. at one time handsomely finished
in stucco. and gives an idea Of grandeur
lacking in modern residences.
People say the old house is now going
20 ruin, for rumor has it that the inte-
rior has long been neglected by the fres-
coer the carpenter. and the general me
chanic.
Whether it be true that houses long de
serted are SUPPOSED to be haunted OF that
mere circumstance has not fathered a
tenant for the Cooke mansion for some
time. children look upon the house
sion with feeling akin 20 awe. There
are those now grown who played during
boyhood about the huge pile: there are
old residents who doubtless entered the
wallis of the mansion d quarter OF a cen
tury ago when balls receptions, and par
ties attracted the elite Of the land to the
Governors house. But now all about the
premises serves only to recall the past
Governor Cooke, who held sway in Wash
ington during the troublous days of the
civil war. lived in the mansion which stiIl
bears his name. II was then the scene Of
grandeur and social splendor, where as
sembled Senator'S and Representatives,
jurists. and statesmen.
Apparently the decadencc Of the man
sion dates back 10 the early seventies.
After the failure Of the firm Of jay Cooke
& Co, brokers IN which Henry y. Cooke
a brother of the head OF the firm, was "a
partner the home of the family
became deserted. From time TO time
Georgetown has heard of plans for reno
Nation OF the historic home. II has been
reported that the stately pile was again
70 become the residence OF its heirs or
that. perhaps, IL was about to pass into
other hands. Five years ago IL was ru-
mored that a wealthy woman from the
FAR South contemplated buying the prop
erty from the Cooke heirs, and opening a
seminary Tor young ladies, after making
extensive repairs To the mansion. People
say this plan failed, for reasons unknown,
and the Cooke mansion is yet deserted
Old residents Of Georgetown have been
regaled with stories told Of the mansion.
Boys have played ga the yard surrounding
the structure: have broken through win
dows OF possibly doors during past
years, and have mounted to the very
pinnacle of the cuDola. They have eX-
plored the mansion from top to cellar
and some believe have lent mischieVous
hands OF the work OF despoliation OF the
building and its contents Many years
ago there was within the mansion, at the
foot Of the great broad staircase near the
front OF the structure. a statue placed
on the floor 10 adorn the mansion and