The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1904-03-24


Washington, who has been appointed and
Is most efficient clerk. For years he
had had clerical position in one Of the
Departments at Washington. He appears
to know every prominent citizen in the
District of Columbia. He is an especial
friend OF Gen. Sickles.
May IL, 1S71.-There have been sounds
of battle outside of the Bois de Bologne,
much more severe than usual. Mr.. Wash
burne says that he had no idea how long
this state of affairs will exist. Yesterday
afternoon Mr.. Hyde and l walked down
the Champs Elysees, and heard that this
afternoon the Column on the Place Ven
dome would certainly be pulled down. We
walked to the Place rOpera, where we
could look down the Rue de la Paix. There
was an immense crowd there, and military
bands We're playing. Rochefort was max
ing an address. At about $50 p. m. the
rope at the top of the column frightened,
and the structure began to sway. and it
fell to the ground in our direction. There
was enthusiastic cheering. The fall
made but little noise, for the reason that
the street was thickly covered with ma
nure, which deadened the sound. The
column is nothing now but small pieces OF
bronze. The crowd rushed to get the
pieces for souvenirs. They spat upon the
bronze face Of the Emperor.
Thus did the imbeciles destroy one OF
the most beautiful works Of art in the
world.
May IS, 1S71.-Yesterday afternoon
went to the Legation, and was talking to
Mr.. Hyde-by-the-by he told me that he
was 81 years old-when there was the
most terrific noise that / have ever heard.
We went to the window which overlooks
the Champs des Mars. There we saw an
immense column of fire and smoke, which
arose thousands of feet in the air, and
then spread out, curling in and
out, in the most beautiful man
ner. The sight was most magnificent. 1t
factory in the Champs deS Mars. The re-
port was so loud that it shook the earth
for miles, and broke every pane of glass
within a mile. All sorts of rumOrs are
circulating, such as it having been done
by the order of Monsieur Theirs. First
it was said 1900 persons were killed.
then 1,5OO, and SO on in a diminishing
scale.
May 10, 1S71.-At the time Of the
blowing up of the magazine. or cartridge
factory. Mrs. Moore and Miss Ellis and
Miss Kate Ellis were out walking on the
Quay. They felt the ground tremble, and
apparently right before them arose the
sheet Of flame and smoke, and then came
the terrific noise. They thought that the
ground under them was mined, and ex
pected every minute to be blown up into
the air. Miss Kate felt faint, but Mrs.
Moore dragged her along by the arm.
Miss Ellis seemed paralyzed by fear; the
blood rushed to her face, giving it the ap-
pearance of mahogany. / found them all
completely Frustrated when / went to
their house, which is my home now.
Antoine had very narrow escape. He
had been sent over the Seine with a mes
sage from Mr.. Washburne. He was
walking through the Champs des Mars
when the explosion took place. The con-
cussion first knocked him down, and when
he was getting up he was knocked down
again by an innumerable number Of bull
lets, which were flying about in every di-
rection. He was, of course, very much
demoFalized.
There are but few Americans in Paris
now, not half as many as were here dur
ing the Prussian siege. There was no
danger then. Mr.. Washbnrne has just
said: what do you think of it now!''
May 20, 1S71.-Last evening as DIR.
LamsOn and DIR. Peet were in my room,
q most terrific musketry firing commenced,
very close at hand. We went up on top
Of the house, and saw that it was at the
gates Of the Bots de Boulogne-within a
stones throw OF Mr.. Washburne's house
The firing was kept up for several hours
only occasionally the bursting Of shell
was heard. Dr. Lamson is temporarily
living in a hotel near the Bouievards.
The firing was SO brisk that he came to
the conclusion that. the Versailles troops
were forcing their way in, and that it was
rather dangerous to go to his hotel. At
midnight We walked over to his house
with him frhe same one that was shelled
out of. We found Mr.. Meeks (sexton Of
DR.. Lamson's Chapel relating a startling
adventure to Norah, the servant girl 1t
appears that while he was coming home
ne was suddenly surrounded by body of
National Guardsmen, and was forced into
their ranks. He expostulated and said
that he was an American citizen 1t was
OF no avail, however; they marched him
up to the Arch de Triomphe, where shells
were bursting in the most lively manner.
After he had been under fire sometime, a
good-natured looking officer came along,
and he repeated his tale Of woe to him.
He was taken to the command. With
very great reluctance this officer relea sed
him. and he sped joyfully home. Meeks
has been a little timid ever since he went
out with me in the ambulance wagon and
had his trousers torn. Mr.. Washburne
told me this morning that he thought the
Versailles troops would soon force their
way in. There are all sorts OF rumors
afoat. One is that when the Versailles
troops do come in, the Communists will
retire to Montmartre, and will destroy
the city, If their terms are not agreed to-
Another rumor is that the Prussians are
massing around the city, and have their
cannon pointed at Montmartre, and il
they attempt what they threaten they wi,
be destroyed by men who know how Il
light. The firing is still most terrific.
hear the shells whizz through the air be
fore they explode in the Champs Elysees
May p. 1871.-This is a bright anf
beautiful Sunday morning. The quietnest
Of the day, however, is disturbed in a mos
horrible way. The air is filled witt
the screeching OF shells and round shot
GratiOt Washburne and walked I'D nea1
the Arch de Triomphe a short time ago
Twenty-Five shells had fallen in tn,
Champs Elysees within half an hour.
am writing at p. m. went 10 DIR
Lamson's Church this morning. The con
gregation consisted OF DR.. Peet, Mr. Hyd,
and myself
May %, 1S71-Last night a. Cratic
Washburne. Maj. Deacon, Mr.. Hyde ant
myself were conversing with DR.. Lamson
at his house. NOrah, the servant girl
rushed in. and told US that a Nationa
Guardsman had just told her that tn
Versailles troops had forced their wa,
Into the city at Passy. We did not be
lieve It. At o'clock this morning Dr
Peet and l walked up TO the Arch d
Triomphe, and there was the tri-colo,
floating from the top. All this part of tn
city is filled with Versailles troops. w
took of our hats, and gave three cheers
hon dc