Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-16
GEORGETOWN AFFAIRS
LONG-STANDING DISPUTE OVER
TITLE FINALLY SETTLED.
Deeds Placed on Record for Strip Of
Ground on Madison Street
General Items.

Deeds were placed on record yesterday
from the various heirs interested in the
strip Of ground on Madison street between
Both and Back streets. This land is the
high gravel bank situated on the hill in the
rear OF Holy Rood cemetery. The land has
remained in a primitive state for nearly
seventy-five years, the title being at times
elouded by the changes made in the location
of Madison street. Years ago Madison
street, according to some maps, was stu
ated north of its present location, and after
ward, by other maps. south of it. This con-
dition remained until 1885, when the Com
missioners of the District definitely settled
the matter by placing on record a map de-
termining the present location of Madison
street to be the correct one. This made
necessary the steps recently taken by the
surveyor Of the District to have a new sur
vey made Of that portion of Beatty and
Hawkins addition to Georgetown.
This property has been frequently sold
during the past seventy-tlve years for taxes,
and many land owners of former days, like
Daniel Bussard and Daniel Benner and
others. attempted to clear up the title, but
owing to a complication Of affairs the
status remained unsettled until a few years
ago, when some of the parties interested in
the ownership employed counsel to look into
and clear up the title. Much labor and
money was spent upon this work, and fire.
quent trips to various parts of the country
were made before the matter was settled.
The deeds placed upon record yesterday
represent the work of the past three years.
Some years ago the District government
notified the squatterS located in Madison
street to remove their shanties. Many were
removed, and others who had been living
in the vicinity for years transferred their
houses to the north line of Madison street
Narrow Escape From Death.
Joseph Porter colored, aged twenty
three years, had a narrow escape from
death yesterday afternoon while operating
one of the cars used in grading Massa chu-
sets avenue at Rock creek. The cable at
tached to the car, upon which Porter was
working, broke, causing the car to leave
the track and turn over. Porter was caught
under the car and was seriously injured
about his right shoulder and back The
seventh precinct patrol wagon was sum-
moned and the injured man was taken to
the Georgetown Hospital for treatment
Funeral of Daniel A. Ray.
At o'clock this afternoon. at Oak Hill
cemetery. funeral services will be held
over the remains of Mr. Daniel Anthony
Ray, who died at Honolulu September II
last, while serving as United States mar
shall for the district of Hawaii. The re-
mains have been lying in a vault at the
cemetery since their arrival In this city
some time ago.
Conundrum Social.
The most interesting feature of the meet
Ing of Silver Star Lodge, No. 20, I. o. G.
T., of Tenleytown, D. c., which was held
last evening, was conundrum social. This
part of the program was in the charge Of
Messrs. Leroy B. Vowel and Thomas Hol-
lidge, who gave out the conumdrums. M.
j. l.. Owens yas awarded a handsome
prize for giving the largest number of cor
rect answers. Next Thursday evening, &C
cording to the prepared program, the pre-
sentation of the district banner will be to
Silver Star Lodge by the officers of the
Grand Lodge of the District This banner
is given each quarter to the lodge showing
the greatest increase in membership dur
ing the preceding term. There will be
joint debate between members of Silver
Star and Minnehaha Lodges at the hall of
the former in Tenleytown The subject for
this debate has not yet been announced