Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-18

present residence, 1915 9th street north
west. For more than ninety-five years Mr.
Hazleton has been among the living. and
from his healthy, vigorous appearance it is
likely he will pass the century mark by sew
eral years.
II was born in Sandgate, VT, May 16,
1907" said Mr.. Hazleton to a Star reporter,
land in 1913 1 removed with my parents to
St. Lawrence county. in New York state. I
first came to Washington when Ransom H.
Gillett was register of the Treasury and
held position in his office. Among the
employees of the Office at that time and a
fellow-worker with. me was James G. Ber-
ret. who afterward became mayor of Wash
ington- We were young fellows then, and
there wasn't much at that time to indi-
cate that Washington would ever be the
beautiful city it is now. There was plenty
of room for a large city, but that was
about all Even the intervening space be-
tween the Capitol and the Treasury De-
partment did not present the appearance
of available ground for magnificent streets
and avenue such as we see now, because it
was nearly all marshy land and apparently
worthless for building sites.
when l carnelto the capital of the Unit
ed States the first time the Baltimore and
Ohio was the only depot, and l remember
driving up the avenue toward hotel at
9th and D streets There was a small crack
called the Tiber near the east end of Penn
SylVanla avenue, ana as we lillO
the street going west we crossed little
wooden bridge over this creek
A Mere Roadway.
pennsylvania avenue was at that time
roadway and a poor one at that. 1t was
dirty and rough, and the rickety cab jostled
as much as a mountain stage coach. The
only buildings along the avenue were small
frame structures
1T was not an easy matter to get in or
out of Washington then because of the in
adequate railroad facilities, and there was
but very little travel here except by those
having business with Congress and the de-
partments. People didn't come here for
pleasure in those days.
when I first came here there were no
paYements, excepting Immediately around
the government buildings. There were no
horse cars even, but old omnibus used to
make a few trips every day from the navy
yard to Georgetown and back ana later on
there was bus line up 7th street as far
as l. street. To see the city then and now
the present seems like splendid dream
Today we have magnificent buildings
grand streets and avenues and beautlful
parks and all the convenienceS of modern
invention and progress. The chanse mas
been wonderful and rapid and to those
who have seen the development from the
unattractive town to the gorgeous capltal
CITY it is a source of especial pride.
Mr.. Hazelton attended the old Unitarian
Church on the site now occupied by the
the laying of the corner stone OF the WASH
ington monument and has witnessed many
important events within the limits or the
national capital. During the civil war,
when Washington was threatened by the
confederate troops under Early, ne was
employed in the Treasury Department, ana
was a member of the company organized
among the clerks in that department TO De
used In case of an emergency should the
opposing forces attempt to capture WASH
ington.
Contemporary Of Horatio Seymour.
Mr. TIazelton was a member of the New
York legislature for several years, and was
associated with Horato Seymour. after
ward governor of New York, who was in
the legislature at that time. Shortly after
the civil war Mr.. Hazelton LETT the employ
of the government and engaged IN the shoe
business in this city and conducted an es-
Establishment here until about eight years
ago, when he retired from actlVe business
life. He is still vigorous appearing Hail.
and he says his health Is remarkably gooo.
Mr. Haze!ton comes from a family whose
members are notable for their longevity.
His father was over ninety-four years OF
age at his death. and he has brother now
living in New York state who is eighty four
years old All his bGothers and sisters lived
to an age beyond the ordinary term OF Ire.
inclined to think that this abstinence con-
duced to his good Health and long life. lie
has been supseribertto The Evening star
since the first number was issued nearly
fifty years ago and he says he looks upon
the daily visits of the paper to his nome as
a good old friend whose company he would
not do without He is still able 20 read
with the aid lsof. glasses, and his voice is
strong and yibrant,,C He says ne expects to
live many years yet