davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1902-12-07

with power from an artificial lake near
by.
There is probably no section OF that
territory now within the limits OF the
city so rich in historic interest as that
part Of Georgetown west Of Rock Creek
and south Of n Street In fact. the
territory might well be narrowed down
TO more circumscribed limits If we are
seeking for early history, as the early
settlers located their homes near 10 the
river as a matter Of convenience. as the
river Vas the connecting link. the means
OF communication. with all Of the great
sources Of supplies. Water Street was
ut one time the Wall Street Of activity
Of Georgetown in the days when # was
George Town. And at that time even
NJ Street was a little too far away from
the center Of trade and the chief points
Of interest
Georgetown has many historic houses
about which little is known. and many
have been replaced along Water Street
by business houses and ;aelr identity
wholly lost by the demands Of trade.
on this account much Of the older part
Of Georgetown has become unrecogniz-
able. and the places where such noted
men as President Washington. Thomas
Jefferson, John Adams, and others were
wont to assemble. have been imperfect
Iy marked. and much Of the history
clustering about them IS traceabIe to
tradition and imperfect memories.
Washington's Headquarters.
At 1850 NJ Street there can be found
in a good state Of preservation an old
stone building with low ceilings and
sharp pitched roof, which has been dcs-
iguated by "a tablet as the house used
by Washington as his headquarters
while the survey Of the National Capi-
tai was an progress. There Is also a
tradition that children playing in the
attic OF this little building many years
ago found some drawings and plans
which seemed to have some relation 10
the early plans Of the city. and on the
other hand We are informed that there
Is no authentic history which points to
any occupancy Of this house by Presi-
dent Washington on any occasion.
There is also a tradition that this
hous1 once stood on the corner Of
The Washington times., 1902-12-07

plantation and that nearby was a fine
spring OF water. II the house was form
erly The home Of a plantation owner IL
may be true that Washington. wEis5 q
President OF the United States. visited
this house. for there is abundant his
tOrical proof that he visited Geors,-
town in March. 1871. and conferred Wits
Major L'Enfant concerning the plans Of
the Capital City: that he at or about
this time conferred with the owners Of
the farms and plantations then within
the limits OF the proposed territory
afterward known as the District Of
Columbia, and that between the land
owners and the President an agreement
was effected by which they were to con-
voy their land TO the Government for
the consideration Of E25 per acre. Such
portions Of their lands as were to be
used as streets and avenues we're to be
donated, and II the land owners wishedto
reserve such portions Of their holdings
as were occupied by their buildings they
were TO be permitted 10 DO 50 upon the
payment Of one-haIf Of the estimated
iuss were not situated upon any Of the
streets or avenues Of the proposed city.
Fixing Boundaries of the District.
IL is also well known historical fact
that President Washington on March 80.
1871, Issued proclamation setting forth
the lines OF boundary OF the proposed
nfefr{gt % r,Ttrr,f,io s,a ,. tt,f.- ...z-r.
nation is dated at Georgetown it may
be that Washington at some portion of
the time between the date Of his coming
and his departure visited the house re-
ferred to, for those were democratic
times and the nation was looking for
permanent home. It's deliberations had
already been held i'm eight different
places in four different States. and II
there was any reason why the interests
OF the nation would be promoted by a
visit OF its Chief Executive IL Is quite
certain that formalities would have been
waived. IL may be that a friendly visit
was all that was required to convince
the plantation owner that the transfer
Of his land to the Government was the
one thing needed TO make the scheme
for the location Of the National Capital
an assured success.
On this same street. not far from the
Aqueduct Bridge. stands the former
home Of Francis Scott Key, whose patrl-
otic songs. "The Star-Spangled Banner"
has placed him at the head OF song
writer's Of his time. About the identity
Of this house there can be no question.
The Washington times., 1902-12-07
The Key Mansion, NJ Street, Georgetown.

IT He commonplace events OF today
become interesting history when
viewed through the mist OF the
distance Of a few years. The un-
9oticed man Of today becomes in a few
years the man of destiny. the apostle OF
a new issue, the leader Of a new party.
or the new leader Of an old party. It is
then that all Of the events Of his early
life become full Of interest. His early
life. his comrades with whom he was on
terms OF intimacy. his home surround
ings. and the house in which he lived are
clothed with a new interest.
OF the man. his associates. his home
there is but little known. Little by lit
tie from various sources this informa-
tion is collected, and fitted together with
such judicious trimming that a good stor,-
may not be lessened by tho telling Tor
the hundredt1 time. OF a shining virtr.
dimmed by some skeleton Of doubtful
origin, and from this patchwork sHHfuliy
arranged we Of later times read the his
tory Of the man and his work.
Peculiar Freaks Of History.
What is true OF the history Of indi-
viduals is also true Of the history Of
homes or localities. Little history is
written until time has softened an de-
fects. and nlumined all OF the most inn
portant features; in fact. emphasized al
that we would most desire to hear. ana
from this condition we have had such
large number Of houses pointed out as
places where President Washington was
entertained that we have wondered
whether the Father Of his Country had
much 10 do beside being entertained.
We have been soIemnly informed that
this house that house. and lthe other
house was made Of bricks brought frou
England until we have wondered II all
OF the ships Of the mother country we're
able 40 carry any other cargocs besides
bricks from which TO make houses for the
c0lOnlEts, and we have been led 10 make
the inquiry for some suitable reasons
why the early settlers did not make
bricks for themselves. the material was
near at hand, and many briCkmakers
came 20 the colonies at an early day. and
without doubt were not only competent
The Washington times., 1902-12-07

Van Ness was a man Of business and
was prominently identified with the
early business interests Of Washington.
At one time he was the president Of the
Bank OF the Metropolis. His military
/ title seems to be based on the fact that
at one time he was a brigadier general
Of the District Militia. at about the
time. or a little after. the war Of 1872.
The residence on Seventeenth street was
erected in 1920, and the grounds &C.
cupied q whole square. and included Ine
site of the old homestead OF David
Burns, plain frame structure. which
vas removed few years ago. The
square containing the Van Ness man
sion was locally known as Mansion
Square Prior TO the erection Of this
magnificent home. General Van Ness
lived on Eleventh Street. between c and
10 Streets.
I The marriage Of Arthur Middleton. Of
South Carolina 10 Miss Ann AIbertina.
the only daughter OF General Van Ness,
in 1921, was one Of the notable society
events of the time The groom was a
grandson OF one Of the siguers Of The
/ Declaration of Independence. six brides
maids and six groomsmeu assisted az tha
wedding. and the festivities we're con-
tinued for nearly q month. as each Of
the bridesmaids gave a party and each
OF the ErOomsmen save dinner. The
mansion OF General Van Ness was noted
during the period commencing in 1920 Tor
its generous hospitality. for the pro-
prietor was wcu known in local and na-
tioDal circles. His wife was a charming
hostess, and many distinguished men and
women OF that early period we're enter
tanned In The old mansion. which Tor
many years has been practically aban-
doned and is fast going TO decay.
Old Lcck House.
Farther down Seventeenth street We
may End an old lock house, q landmark
Of the days when the canal wandered
through the lower portion Of the city
and divided OF the section below It into
what was then known as THE island
a term sdu occasionally used ty those
who knew Washington in the early
times
With the filling up and removal or the
canal most OF the old canal landmarks
have disappeared. and the old lock house
is following In the footsteps Of so ruauy
OF those that have PASSED away ans.
whose former locations are being rapidly
forgotten.
CHARLES f. FAIRMAN.
The Washington times., 1902-12-07

although many OF the traditions con-
cerning it seem wholly without founda-
ti0n. The story that the brick used in
/ its construction came from England
seems 10 be without foundation. In view
of the research made into this theory by
persons OF whose information there re-
mains no room for doubt
The circumstances under which tho
song was written are probably familiar
TO all of the readers OF this paper. but
I II may not be generally known that the
author OF The Star-SpangIed Banner"
/ is also the author Of other verse. among
which, a hymn. Lord. With Glowing
Heart I'd Praise Thee. is widely known
and in common use among the members
Of the Episcopal Church of which the
author was a strong adherent.
Lord, with glowing heart I'd praise thee
For the bliss thy love bestows.
For the pdrdOniug grace that saves me-
And the peace that from it Ho,ys,
Help. o God. my weak eudeav0r.
This dull soul 90 rapture raise:
Thou must light the fame. or never
Can my love De warmed 90 praise
In addition to the fame which came
20 Francis Scott Key as the author of
the -Spangled Banner" he also en-
joyed high reputation as lawyer ami
served through three terms as United
States Attorney for the District of CO.
lumbia- During some Of the later vears
Of his residence In Washington. ne lived
in the house now known as 3CS c. Street
northwest. After practicing law for
some years in Washington. he moved to
Baltimore. and died in that city on Janu-
airy II. 1S43. While his name is closely
associated with the early history Of this
nation. his old home In Georgetown IS
in the hands Of strangers. and his grave
at Frederick. Nd. is said TO be in
condition wholly unbehtting a man so
dear to the hearts Of the people.
An Ancient Tavern.
In this same historic section Of George
town, on Thirty Street. between
the canal and Water street. is the
former home of the Rev. Henry Foxau.
who combined the occupation OF a gun
maker with that of a Methodist minister
The building is an old one having been
erected In 1895, and Thirty fourth Street
has long ago ceased TO be thorough
fare Of any prominence The steep
grade. with the roadway paved with dat
paving stones. makes one wonder
whether this was ever intended for the
purpose Of travelling in more than one
direction-and that down hill. The
The Washington times., 1902-12-07
Duck Lane, Georgetown

house has been allowed to 20 the wav
OF all houses in an unpopular section Of
the city. but it viii always be interest
ing as the home OF the Methodist gun
maker who msde Foundry Church glad
with his liberal gifts.
Not far from the FoxaU house and
near TO that section Of Water Street. be-
tween Thirty-second and Thirty-third
Streets, the visitor will fnd small
alley leading up the hill toward the
canal On the east side Of this alley
locally known as Duck Lane" is the
ruin Of an old tavern Of the ancient
time. This belongs 20 the day of the
stage coach. TO the day when the teIe-
graph and the railroad we're unknown
This section was then in the elite Dor
tion Of Georgetown, and while the hotei
has long been abandoned for other pur-
poses, and the dwellings along Water
Street have been converted into facto-
Ties and warehouses. this old stone inn
Of the olden time. with it's covered drive
into the stable yard IN the rear. has
doubtless furnished refreshments to many
notable in the very early DAYS of the
nation. Even the tradition that Wash
ington has been a guest within its walls
is not wanting.
Van Ness Mansion.
The we'll known mansion OF Gen. John
p. Van Ness. on Seventeenth Street. has
often been the subject of newspaper
paragraphs Without the undoubted his
tory of this mansion. it would in us
present half ruined condition. be din
cult to understand that az the time of
its erection 10 was considered the most
expensive residence in the country. hav-
ing been erected at a cost of about S75.-
GOO under the supervision OF Latrobe.
the then famous architect.
This residence Is also said TO be the
first in the country to be supplied with
no, and cold water in all Of the rooms
on bota floors. and its FURNISHINGS were
In fun keeping with the cost Of the
building.
It's owner. General Van Ness. was or
one time member Of Congress from TIE
state Of New York. and a man Of good
family. and possessed OF abundant means
In his own right His wealth was con
siderable for those early times. and his
marriage TO Miss Marcia Burns. the
daughter Of David Burns. one Of the
original proprietors Of the land now oc-
cupied by the city OF Washington. added
TO the wealth at his dis
posal.
The Washington times., 1902-12-07

to make brick, but did make and furnish
brick for the numerous houses which are
now pointed out as being built OF i'm
ported material
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-02-26
HANDSOME YACHT
OWNED AND OCCUPIED BY CAPT.
AND MRS. BURTON.
An Ohio Couple Who Are Spending
Time on Rivers to Improve
Her Health.

The yacht Burton is now lying at
anchor at the foot of Court street on
the Arkansas river at his point. Il is
occupied by it's owners, Captain and
Mrs John W. Burton, of Ohio, who
take this means of making life more
tolerable. Captain Burton is retired
merchant and on account of The i'll
health of his wife he decided upon
roughing it with the hope of restoring
her vitality. Mrs. Burton's health has
greatly improved as consequence.
and the couple have become so fond of
the life that they decided to adopt it
for some time to come. With ti4eir
shepherd dog. the two people con-
prise the passenger list, crew and all
as fancy dictates they go from river
to river, stopping at the larger towns
and staying as long as they like. TEey
will remain here several weeks.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-02-26
ONLY TWO WILL HANG
Gov. Davis Refuses to Com
mute Death Sentence of
Three Murderers
CONVICTED AT RECENT TERM OF
TIE DESHA CIRCUIT
COURT.
Eave jebe and LaWre zee Dunlap Take
The Drop From Same ScaffoId
Next Fr.Gay.
JAMES KIT TOOK AN APPEAL

Governor Davis h3. refused TO corl-
mute the death sentence of David Jobe,
James Kit and Lawrence E;,I.';lp all
sentenced at the recent term of the
Desha circuit court, al three having
ueGn convicted of m,ficr and their
II ais and crimes have baen fully
printed in the Graphic. The date Of
thu triple execution was fixed for
IieXt Friday On :h,t date Jobe and
Dunlap vii, hang. bu. Kitt VII not
as he had taken an appeal to the su-
pl eme court, and the execution will e
S5taid until that court passes upon his
case. The people CT Arkansas City,
county seat of Desha. are If the opin-
ion that the supreme court will af
finn the verdict an. sentence Of the
lower court, and that Kilt will hang
later. the appeal hang been tak,n
fer the purpose of pro :org;ns the exc.
cation.
The refusal to eo,nicnie the death
6, ntence of The co1v.ots by the gov
efnor was basel upon various tee
grams from large number of the
best people of Desha coaLty.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-02-26
RESTORED TO ROLLS
SENATE WILL DISCIPLINE TILL.
MAN AND M'LAURiNN.
Republicans Conclude Frye's Action
Was Unprecedented in the
Senate.

Washington, Feb. 26-The most inn
rortant development yesterday in cor.
nection wit hthe Tillman- -McLaurin
episode of las. Saturday was th', AZ.
of Senator Fry. president pro teLn cf
the senate. in ordering the clerk Cf
the senate to restore the names of
the two South Carolina senators -
the senate roll. If the present plan
is carried out this act will be followed
by the adoption by the senate of a
resolution before a vote on any other
object is taken practically indorsing
the action of the president pro tenn in
ordering their names erased and sus-
pending the two senators for some
definite time.
"In my rulings yesterday | believe
that | was strictly within parliament
tary laws; that senators in contempt
are not entitled to recognition either
to speak or to vote and that logically
their names should not be called. |
still adhere to that opinion, but. de
sirous of shifting the responsibility
from the chair to the senate. | have
directed the clerk to restore to the
roll the names of the two senators
from South Carolina"
When asked if the result of this ac
ton would be the recognition of either
of the senate to either vote or speak
Senator Frye replied that it would not
and that was question which must
be decided by the senate. He declin-
ed. however, to state how the question
would be brought to the attention of
the senate.
Inquiry in other quarters developed
the fact that there had been confer
ence of the Republican leaders in Sen
ator Aldrich's committee room during
the forenoon and that the extent of
Senator Frye's rulings. and especially
its far reaching effect not only in this
case, but as precedent. had been
very exhaustively discussed. the con-
struction being that action of the
president pro tenn. in striking the
names of the South Carolina senators
from the roll and his refusal of a
request to have their names called
was beyond precedent in the senate
and not entirely justified
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-02-26
IDOL OF THE PEOPLE
TRIBUTE PAID THE LATE COL.
ROBERT II. CROCKETT.
Mai. Gen. L. C. BaIch Issues General
Order to Be Read in Each of the
u. C. v. Camps.

The subioined general order has
been issued from headquarters of Az
kansas division. United Confederate
veterans:
Headquarters Arkansas Division, U.
C. v. Little Rock. February %, 1902.
General Order No. 4.-With deep
sorrow the major general commanding
the Arkansas division, U. c. ", an
nounces the death in Stuttgart, Ark,
on the 18th inst, of that gallant sol
dier and chivalrous gentleman, Coz.
Robert H. Crockett. who was a lis
tinguished and gallant officer in the
Confederate army, and an honored Of
fetal OF the U. c. V.
Colonel Crockett was a grandson of
Davy Crockett, the hero of the Alamo,
and received inspiration from the halo
of fame which encircled that sacred
manded performed brilliant and i'm.
perishable deeds in the Confederate
service, which are indelibly recorded
in the story of the greatest of wars in
modern times, which is perpetuated
in the history of our country.
Colonel Crockett settled in the state
OF Arkansas nearly half a century ago
and was one of the foremost citizens
in private, official and military life. He
started out in the Confederate army
as private. rapidly rising to the posi-
ton of colonel of his regiment. and
participated in many of the most des-
perate battles of the war.
In peace Colonel Crockett had added
to his fame as distinguished soldier
the record of splendid citizen and a
generous friend, always ready to help
and give to his needy comrades or to
assist the cause, the leaders and the
people he loved so we'll.
Few men were more widely known
or better loved in Arkansas than
TJncle Bob Crockett" as so many de-
lighted TO call him.
In 1887 he was elected by an admir-
ing constituency to the state senate
and was there recognized as one of
the leaders, if not the leader, if his
party, and while there delivered an
argument in behalf of free speech and
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-02-26
DENOUNCiNG GOV. DAVIS.
Van Buren Ciergyman's Second At
tack Upon the Executive.

Van Buren. Feb. 25.--Tn his sermon
in the Baptist church here Rev.
Frank White. state evangelist of the
Missionary Baptists said in part:
This is a Christian country; it has
always been a Christian country, and
will always be Christian country.
When Christopher Columbus landed
at San Salvador his first act was to
thank God for the safe voyage and
his discovery and to consecrate the
newly discovered land to the God in
heaven: so, you see, this country was
discovered by Christian, was colon
ICED and developed by Christians, has
been protected and governed by Chris
tians, and no Christian will allow bis
country to be disparaged or scandal
lied by political demagogues. I have
been criticised for letter ! wrote to
the Arkansas Democrat in regard to
Jeff Davis. Some people think a
Christian minister should have moth
ing to do with politics: but | would
not be true to the Christian country.
to myself nor to my God if | did not
raise my voice against man who
makes it point to go to our larger
towns and SO forget his position as
governor of the state as to get drunk
and thus bring Arkansas into disre-
pute. AS long as I am able | shall
raise my voice against any man.
whether Baptist or not, being elected
to the gubernational chair of our fair
State who is the blackguard and dema
gogue that Davis has proven himself
to be.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-02-26

personal liberty which was published
III thosuands of papers and pcriodl-
Gals of the time. and received the
commendatiOn of some of the ahlest
statesmen and scholars of the coun-
try.
AS brave as Julias Caesar vet as
tender as woman, he was generous
10 fault and possessed the highest
sense OF honor, which he preserved in
all MS dealings with his fcllowmau.
poth IN public and private life He
was the idol of the people of Arkau.
Sas.
In the name Of the United Confedcr-
ate veterans of this division the com
mandlng general tenders the bereavcd
family our sincere coincidence and di-
iects that this order be read in each
OF the camps and spread upon the min
Utes Of the same
l.. G. BALCH.
Major General, Arkansas Division T.
c. Y.
Louis Volmer. Adjutant General and
Chief of Staff.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-02-26
GREAT BRITAIN ANXIOUS
Concernig Terms Of Russia's Reply
to the United States.

London. Feb. 2G.-Great Britain is
awaiting with much interest the publ.
cation of the terms of Russia's reply
to the United states noe in regard to
commercial rights in Manchuria
In the house of commons the chan.
cellor of the exchequer, Sir Michael
HicksBeach, said that the government
had no official recognizance of Russia
having recently renewed to the United
States her assurance that Manchuria
would never be closed to American
trade.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-02-26
Released on Turkish Territory

Washington, Feb. 2e.-Secretary
Hay has been informed by the Turk
lsh legation here that Miss Stone has
been released on Turkish territory
The board of foreign missions at Bos-
ton has telegraphed Secretary Hay an
expression of thanks for the efforts of
the state department which have re
suited in Miss Stones release.
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-02-26
RETURN OF MISS STONE.
Dragoman GarguiIo Will Leave for
Salonica Today.

Constantinople. Feb. ga. A. Gar
guilo, the first dragoman of the Ameri'
can legation here, telegraphed the fol
lowing message from Shrumitza.
Macedonia, where Miss Ellen M. Stone
and her companion, Nine. Tsilka, ar
rived February 49,, after tileir release
by the brigands, who had held them in
.ap',vit".
Have seen Miss Stone. Will le I'VE
With the ladies' for Salonlca February
2,;.''
Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1902-02-26
STRUCK OIL.
Gusher at Mansfield Throwing Oil
200 Feet High.

The following telegram was Teceiv
ed this afternoon at Perdue's Gotten
exchange stating that oil was struck
at Mansfield Ark, and that a stream
was spouting 200 feet high. The news
comes via Fort Smith and is authen.
tic.