The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-06-28
Residences at the National Capital
Famed for Tragedy. Romance. In
trigue and Conspiracy.
PLACES IN "FoGGY" BOTTOM
THAT WERE ULTRA FASHIONABLE
IN COLONIAL DAYS,
But Are Now Occupied by Bats and
Owls at Night-Surratt House and
Place Where sickIes killed Key.
ecial TO the indianapolis Journal.

Special 10 the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON. June 27.-Tragedy. ro-
nance, intrigue. deep plots in statesman
ship and diplomacy are intimately ESQ
ciated with some OF the famous old houses
in the national capital
If the walls of the Surratt House could
give u their secrets all the details of the
plot which eliminated I'm the assassination
of Abraham Lincoln would be told. Like
wise the walls of the Octagon House would
tell tales of love; those of the Sickles man.
sion the events which led up to one of the
most dramatic tragedies ever enacted in
the Nations capital. If inanimate walls
could speak the secret OF the inspiration
which enabled Mrs Southworth to write
miles and miles of stories that thrilled
lovesick maidens and callow youths might
be revealed to an interested multitude.
Only in like manner would it ever be posi-
BILE to learn the dark and devious ways OF
diplomatic representatives in Washington
at times when great matters Of state have
been discussed between the United States
and the courts of Europe.
In the early days of Washington the
ultra-fashionables sought the eastern sec
ton of the city-Capitol Hill. Land values,
scared as time went by. and finally the
center OF population moved toward the
setting sun. Directly west Of the White
House, little to the south, between the
Potomac and Pennsylvania avenue, the
stars of the social and official armament
finally took their dwelling places. Fine
old mansions were erected there. many OF
which stu remain, now inhabited by bats
and owls at night and IN the day by the
playful urchin That part Of Washington
has refrigerated to such an extent that IL
is now known as "foggy bottom" Among
the old structures that still stand there
is the Octagon House, a fine type of the
colonial mansion President Madison lived
in the Octagon while the White House was
being repaired after its dissertation by the
British. The Octagon House has been oc-
cupied by many persons OF fame. but to
| local history IL is memorable as the tenn
porary dwelling place OF President and
! Dolly Madison.
WHERE KEY WAS KILLED.
| The killing of Phil Barton Key just prior
| to the war is an old story 1t took place in
| front of the house on Lafayette square
where General Daniel sickles and his beau
tiful wife resided. Opposite this mansion
there was formerly a building occupied by
| one of the most exclusive clubs Of the CAPT.
tai. Here IL was that Daniel Sickles spent
| a great deal of his time, and IL was from
one of the windows of this club that he
| first discovered the intimacy of Key with
his wife. On the occasion in question Sickles
was an eyewitness TO an incident which so
infiamed his passions that he left the club
in blind rage, crossed rzpidly TO the house.
and meeting Key at the door shot him TO
death. The trial that followed is a memoir
able one and attracted attention all over
the world. Sickles was defended by Edward
NJ. Stanton. Lincoln's secretary OF war.
Stanton's argument in behalf OF Sickles is
a classic in the legal lore OF this country.
1t is published alongside of some of Web
ster's greatest efforts. The Sickles's house
| is on the border of the fashionable part OF
Washington. Close by is the residence oc-
cupied for many years by Don Cameron.
United States senator from Pennsylvania.
and later by Mark Hanna Another house
| i'm that vicinity is the residence OF Henry c.
Payne, postmaster general 1t was formerly
the British embassy. and Charles Sumner
| also lived in it at one time.
There are two quaint old houses In his
toric Georgetown that Immediately attract
the eye of the visitor One of them was
owned by Mrs. Southworth. the most pro
| life novel writer of the century. This is
one-story cottage. set in a corner OF pref
ty grove of naples The neighborhood s.
secluded, and In this atmosphere OF quie
and contentment Mrs. Southworth turned
out more novels every year than any novel
list known to civilized man. The house OF
Francis Scott Key. the author OF the Star
Spangled Banner" stands on the bank o.
the Potomac, within the shadow OF the hills
of Virginia, over which tramped the troops
of the North and the South during the war
of the rebellion.
THE sURRATT HOUSE.
There are two houses In Washington
which are annually visited by thousands
and thousands of visitors to the capital.
They are immediately sought out by sight
seers, who look upon them with a feeling
of awe. Both are connected with the un-
timely death OF Lincoln. One is the old
home Of Mrs. Surratt and the other the
| house where Lincoln died. IL was I'm the
Surratt house that Wilkes Booth and the
ether conspirators met TO plan the assassi-
| nation of Lincoln. III was In this house that
Paine was arrested after the murder, he
having sought refuge there disguised as a
laborer The house is unmarked. and a
passerby would never suspect that within
its walls was Matched a crime that robbed
this country of "a great man at trying
period in its history. The house where Lin
coin died has been converted into museum.
1t is directly opposite Ford's old theater
where Booth shot Lincoln. This building
| is now used a government department.
The Lincoln house is an old-fashioned three
! story dwelling, occupied by the keeper OF
the museum and his family. In ii is the
best collection of Lincoln relics I'm the Uni
ted States The house was purchased by
the government some years ago. and turned
over TO the association which acquired the
Lincoln collection.
First I'm Importance OF historic dwellings
| i'm Washington. OF course Is the White
House. Under the Roosevelt administration
the march of progress has placed it's stamp
upon that building. the plan OF Improvement
more than a year ago now being completed
There are famous houses i'm Washington
other than those named. including the Van
Ness mansion. which Is about 10 be de-
| molished But time and modern Improves
ments are beginning 10 efface many OF the
old histor1c residences In the national capt.
tai J. + ~