The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-03-10
A SCENE OF GREAT EVENTS
Memories of Historic Happenings at
the Old Wizards Hotel.
The Rendezvous of brilliant Men and
Women for Three-QuBrters of u
Century-The Old House and the
Nev-Tbe Last Public Gathering.


ress are no respecters OF places or per
sons. unless these can be turned to a
profitable accounting. Places in and
around Washington. with which the early
hist Dry OF the Capital is closely inter
woven. have fallen, one by one, victims
of the irresistible tide of modern enter
prise.
The old landmarks Of Washington
which act as reminders of our country
and link the present generation by visi-
bic signs to that of the men who fought
for and established free nation, are
slowly disappearing, giving way to the
business instinct of the twentieth cen
fury.
Upon the site of the old Willard Hotel,
an old Washington landmark, its new
100000 caravansary is today proudly
rearing its dome. and 1t might not be
amiss TO recall to memory some of the
history OF the old Willard. which is al
most national in character and import
AN INTERESTING HISTORY.
Few buildings in amy city of this coun-
try have been the scene of so many in
teresting and important events as VIII
lard $ Hotel. In the early days OF the
Republic. in 1928, Walter Stewart bought
the land on which were erected the first
buildings on the old site of WIZARDS.
Prior to 1915 small building on Penn
sylvania Avenue. adjoining the site in
question. was the hosiery of that vi
cinity. When this house was occupied
by Reverdy Johnson and his family it
communicated with ana formed part of
Wizards. When it first opened its doors
the house assumed the titles of the
Z 1n.a
time OF its purchase by the Willard
brothers it was known as Fuller's City
Hotel Henry A. Willard bought the
Pennsylvania Avenue portion of the prop
erty May j, 1906 In 1873 The upper por-
ton OF the grounds was Purchased. and
the hotel was remodeled to its recent
form in 1873
There We're four Willard brothers who
had a part in running the hotel. which
under their management became famous.
Edwin Dorr Willard and Henry Augustus
Willard were the original owners. Later,
Joseph c. Willard was taken into partner
ship Edwin Dorr Willard died during
the civil war from the effects of a disease
contracted while in service. Caleb c.
Willard. the present owner of the Ebbitt
House, entered the service of his broth
ers as bell boy. Joseph c. Willard man
aged the hotel for a greater number Of
years than any other member of the VII
lard family.
The hotel was built by Col. John Tay-
loe. and was inherited by his son, Ben
jamin Ogle T6yloe. II was not pecuni-
arily successful. however, as it was
thought to be too far up town. Mrs Tay-
loe who was born I'm Troy. \. Y. visited
her Chiidhood's home every summer and
in travelling on one of those floating pal
aces. the day boats on the Hudson River,
she was struck with the business energy.
and desire TO please everybody, manifest
ed by the steward. on her return. MIR
Tayloe mentioned the want of success
which had attended his hotel, and she re-
marked that if he could get Mr. Willard.
the steward Of the Albany steamer, as its
landlord. there would be no fear as TO its
success.
Mr.. Tayloe wrote to II. A. Willard. a
native Of Westminster, Vi, who came to
Washington, and was soon, in connection
with his brother, Z. D. Willard in charge
OF MIR Tayloes hotel. then called the
city Hotel The Wizards gave to this
establishment the same attention which
had characterized their labors on board
the steamboat. They met their guests as
they alighted from the stages in which
they came to Washington. They stood at
the head of their dinner-tables. wearing
white linen aprons, and carved the joints
of meat, the turkeys and the game. They
were ever ready to courteously answer
questions. and to do all in their power to
make a sojourn at the City Hotel home
like and agreeable.
EFFORTS CROWNED WITH SUCCESS.
Success crowned these efforts to please
the public, and the City Hotel soon took
the first rank among the caravansaries of
the National Metropolis. Z. d. Willard
retired and Henry A. Willard took into
partnership with him Joseph G Willard.
while Caleb c. Willard became the land
lord of the Ebbitt House. In time It was
determined to rebuild the hotel. which
was done under the superintendent OF
Henry 4. Willard.
When the house was completed. Novem-
Der %. ISL. it was decided that thence
.orth it should be called Wizards Hotel.
and about one hundred gentlemen were
invited to a banquet given at its opening.
After the cloth was removed, the health
Of the Messrs Willard was proposed as
the first toast Henry A Willard was
seated at the head of the table with BeI,
jamin Ogle Tayloe at his left ana Edward
Everett al his right He was then only
twenty-four years Old. and not given 10
making speeches. He modestly arose and
" it'll trembling voice stammered. Gen
tlemen, 1 thank YOU very much for this
honor but Mr.. Everett can tell you in
much better language than is at my com
mand the feelings of gratitude which I
harbOT for you"
MIR. Edward Everett complied with Mr..
Wizards request. and spoke with his ac-
customed ease, saying that there are oc-
Casions when deeds speak louder than
words, ana this was one Of them Instead
Of Mr.. Willard returning thanks to the
present, Il was the company
that was under obligations to him. In
tact. ne thought that in paying their re-
lpects to -Hr Willard, they were but do
ing a duty. though certainly duty most
easily peri Mr.. Everett went on to
say that under the roof which sheltered
them he had passed winter with John
Quincy Adams, Chief Justice Marshall,
Judge Story. Mr.. Calhoun, Mr.. Clay. and
Mr.. Webster. These are all gone, said
he, but with them ! could name another.
now living. and not unworthy to be as
scented with them Washington Irving"
Yes. gentlemen, Mr.. Everett coutin-
uCd. there were giants in those days:
giants IN intellect but In character and
spirit they were gentlemen, and In their
familiar Intercourse with each other they
had all the tenderness of brethren
The historic memories connected with
Wizards would i'll a volume. Within its
walls the distinguished men OF the coun-
tTy have sat in council and at the social
board. It's parlors have been adiant with
The most beautiful women in the land
Citizens have left it's walls TO become
Presidents, and ex-Prcsidents have
sought its shelter. after yielding place to
their successors. One day the scene OF
the sittings OF a Peace Congress, its halls
ere next filed with soldiery intent on
v ar.