Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-07-10
Weird Tales of an Alleged
Haunted House.
MANY FOLK SCARED
BUXoM SERVANT CAUSED MUCH
OF EXCITEMENT
BLOOD Stains" Proved to Be Paint
How Famous Property Was
Rehabilitated.

states CapitOl, on New Jersey avenue
southeast" said al old resident In a rem
iniscent mood TO a Star reporter. ut COM
prises an entire triangular square. # that
be not a misnOmer. just south of and ad-
joining Duddington Manor.
'It belonged to one of the Blagdens, who
built and occupied the original mansion
thereon At his death in 1897 it was pur-
chased by Harry Winter of the firm of
Provost & Winter. contractors for furnish
ing. cutting and laying the marble of the
new Capitol extension and other public
buildings. Winter had accumulated hand
some fortune. and he was worthy of it.
He lived like a prince. spent his money like
a gentleman and when he died left an
abundance for his heirs Mr.. Winter was
possessed of fine and true artistic tastes
He set about preparing his new holding by
costly additions and Communications for his
own occupancy and the entertainment and
delight of his friends.
Money was no object and was literally
and wisely expended He built wings to
the original mansion. They formed court
ward in the middle of which a mag
nificert sun dial of granite, bronze and
marble. The Capitol grounds about that time
were laid out by famous landscape garden
er. and the same expert laid out and super
vised 'Glenelvin'-'Glen of the Elvin Sprites
covered the space. were retained or elimi-
mated. transplanted and combined, afford
ing vistas Of the near towering Capitol
dome and shaft of the Washington mOnu-
ment and the more beautiful and pleasing
view Of the neighboring hills and the placid
flowing tide of the Anacostia and Potomac
rivers to the east and south.
A Veritable Eden.
"a grand fountain tempered the sultry air
OF summer. White marble statues. carved
by famous scuIptors. then employed by the
government, were disposed here and there
through the grounds. and there was moth
Ing, absolutely nothing. in bad taste.
The stables to the east of the mansion
had accommodations for equines and
equipages, and their custodians beyond any
extraordinary requirement. The house
Itself could have accommodated a king g
retinue Two magnificent lions couchant
were mounted on suitable pedestals to the
right and left. guarding the main entrance
in New Jersey avenue. These were of the
finest white marble. carved by PerSfCO him
self Everything was substantial and on
the largest scale Drawing rooms. parlors,
dining hall. starcases. offices; even to the
servants quarters, were attended to re-
garGiess of expense. And the owner moved
in and occupied his palace.
Mr.. Winter lived in his home two years
ard then died. in 1859. Alas. for the vanity
of all human expectations!
property. Its encroa chments grew day by
day. and the old canal on the north boundary
supplemented its efforts to depreciate the
widows and orphans inheritance by daily
becoming more and more a cesspool and a
nuisance.
Gov. Shepherd filled up the canal. blew up
the bridge and purified the atmosphere from
all danger of epidemic and disease, for
which the inhabitants bless and will re-
member him forever The Winter palace
was vacated. and the heirs rented the place
to a family named Stevens. or Stephens.
They occupied it eleven years. For three
years after the fathers death the Winter
family had resided there.
The aboriginal forest trees of oak. elm.
sycamore and poplar still stand around
the fast-decaying premises, but the flower
ing shrubs statues. dial-lions. fountains,
even the fences. are sold. removed or crum-
bling In decay. The Stevens could stand it
no longer. They departed. and the owners
placed in possession Of the place as care
takers a woman with two daughters who
assisted her in making living by washing.