The Washington times., 1902-01-26
EARLY TIMES
IN WASHINGTON.
Features of Life Here in Old
Slavery Days.
THE STAGE COACH TRAVELLING
Some Primitive Methods in the Edit
ing and Publishing Of NewsEa-
pers-NO Reporters.

n low THAT the Parking Commits
M sion has placed on exhibition it
plans for the New Washington,
and every citizen is eager 10 Sc,
this city beautitied il might not be amis,
TO recall some of the characteristics o.
the Nations Capital as il was nearly
three-quarters of century ago. These
are best set forth. perhaps. in the news
papers of that day.
A file of the old Washington Mirror
of 1894 and 1885 offers numerous instances
of the condition of the city at that time
The Mirror was a twelve-page weekly
paper, edited by Mr. William Thompson
and published every Saturday morning.
On Saturday, November l. 1884. that pa
per contained an editorial under the title
OF Fires" 1t stated:
Report of a Fire.
at was painful TO behold the progress
of the flames in Mr.. Bryce's house, and
the inpossibility of effectually arresting
them, from the want of water. We un-
derstand that water could not be found in
any neighboring pump, except in that of
the Sisters of Charity, who, much to their
credit, turned out to assist in filling and
handing the engine buckets.
AT the fire on Monday night when Mr.
Plants workshop was destroyed, there
was also a great need OF water and (aS
We thoughp of proper organization of
the fire companies present. At one time
the fire seemed to threaten the surround
ing buildings. Mr.. Plants furniture ware
house seemed to be in imminent danger
and was only saved through the great
and praiseworthy exertions of Mr.. Jacob
A Render. Mr.. Lyon, and few other
active citizens. We are glad to observe
that a move has already been made in
the Third ward for the orga nization of a
new fire company, on improved princi-
Pies
Imagine that condition of things ex-
isting today, should a fire break out in a
theatre or one of our tall office buildings,
The same issue of the Mirror con-
tained lengthy news item on the condi-
tion OF the Tiber Bridge. 1t said, in part:
NandaIs on Tiber Bridge.
I'VE are glad to find that the bridge
on PENNSYLVANIA Avenue across Tiber
Creek, which has been in a dangerous
state for some time past (the arch and
side wall having given way), has lately
been substantially repaired, and the side
walls topt with stone. We understand
that some mischievous person or persons
the week before last threw down and
broke 4! : coping stone For such wanton
mischief as this no fine can be 100 heavy:
and We hope that when the offenders are
discovered they may be made to suffer
the full penalty. We recommend those
persons who are thus mischieyously dis
posed 10 look at the act published in orr
last paper, which imposes the heavy fine
OF $50 upon any person who shall be
convicted of injuring the public works
In those days a balloon ascension was
more wonderful than a circus. The as
tensions Were made from what is now
Lafayette Square, then designated by the
title of the enclosure north of the Presi- /
dents Square" People from all parts of |
the city and the surrounding country /
came in droves in their wagons and pro- /
vided with their lunches, prepared TO |
make day of the occasion. In fact, such /
an event caused the newspapers to devote
an unusually large space to all the de-
tails concerning il. The following is an
extract of an account of balloon voyage
which occurred on November Is 1894:
Mr. Parker made a very beautiful as
cension from the enclosure north of the
Presidents Square last Saturday at FIVE
minutes before o'clock. in the presence
u thousands Of admiring spectators. He
SdItlE On lhTS- .Neale s 11rm. near ]
in ST. Mary's County Nd !
t 6 o'clock. having made splendid aerial
'oyage Of sixty geographical miles in a
straight line from this city
jogging Along the Avenue.
In those days. too. methods of trans
in Washington were of the very
rudest nature. rafting, dilapidated
tage coach made periodical journeys
rom Lang's Hotel in Georgetown. at the
'orner of what are now Thirty-second
md NJ Streets, TO the Capitol. 1t ran
whenever there were a sufficient num-
,er of passengers waiting to make the
rip profitable, or whenever the driver
elt SO disposed. In rainy weather the
oach almost invariably discontinued
usiness. Citizens we're then compelled
o walk or stay indoors. Imagine the fol-
owing notice being inserted in a news
aper today:
In consequence of the extreme violence
4 the rain storm on last Monday Noyem-
er %. no business was transacted by
ither of our Boards of Aldermen and
ommon Council. There was not a quo
um present at either board"
Their again on February Z 1885. the fol-
,win; was published under the heading,
New Omnibuses:'
Among the numberless contriyances
hich genius and enterprise are daily
1ttiDg forth for the comfort and ac-
'mmodation of mankind. none call more
udly for the public praise than the two
nnibuses which have lately commenced
sing run between Georgetown and the :
apitol. under the auspices of Mr. Black
An Ur-to-Date Omnibus. !
"on entering, you meet near the door a I
lad in 1a.f
ceives your money and returns the q
ange with no more words than are v
cessary 10 thank you for your patron I
c. The first thing that strikes you
rticularly is line along the roof of the
bicle, which pulls a bell, say within
rec inches of the drivers ear, by which | =,
U may from any part of the coach con- ''
y to him your earliest impulse TO y
ght, without bawling to him yourself h
troubling your fellow passenger to
SIS forward your boisterous entreaty \
Stop. stop, somebody wants to get .
e., CO
The interior is very comfortable, be- L
lined and cushioned with a cloth; the fr
nensions spacious. Without aiming at CO
ictness OF measurement, II is safe 10 n
: that should you discover seated at
other end your mortal enemy you ~
y exchange frowns without coming TO ia
scratch; nor need those sitting on the F,
oosite sides be constantly pummelling a.
h other by the knees, nor at every ir- 81
ularity in the road, noses be thrust in
opposite spectacles. at the hazard OF I,
odshed on one side and eyes filled with %
ements OF glass on the other. On COM -
down Bridge Street about dusk the | o.
or evening we discovered the George
s hington' lying to for passengers, and -,
embarking were delighted with the ~
y and undulatory motion, and as she
WY emerged from the gap this side OF
bridge. displaying to the broad avenue