Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-06-27
time on there has been much money spent
on grounds and buildings.
Another Building Erected.

AOtuSX 0uA40Ah6 GASSSSus
about 1855. the third structure on the
mall was provided for by an appropriation
for an arpaory for the care of ordnance
arms and ammunition for the use Of the
volunteers and militia of the District. and
for q museum for military relics Of tho
revolutionary and other wars. This was
turned over to the District militia in the
early part Of 81. and for . few years form-
ca the rendezvous OF the military. In
March. "a. the United States engineers
came hero from New York to participate
In the inaugural ceremonies of Mr.. Lin
coin and occupied the building as quarters
until actual hostilities called them to the
front. After the National Guard went into
service with other District companies. the
building yhepame the nucleus Of Armory
Square Hospital, and was SO used to the
close of the war. In latter years 1t became
the nsh commission depot.
L forgot to mention that not far from
the monument on the west was swimming
place known as the Pint and south OF
there was the old Sycamore beach. Near
slaughter house. the burning of which I
will remember for what l saw at the time
an army of rats. 1t was on a Sunday af-
ternoon in the good old summer time and
1t seemed that every boy was on the streets
when the cry of fire followed by the bells
ringing was heard.
Nearly all boys loved the excitement Of
a run to fire. The Franklin was then at
y
avenue. and nearest to the scene. as 1t, was
to me. and 1 was soon pulling the rope Of
the nose cart or crab. Crossing the canal
bridge we made Decline for the smoke.
Soon we encountered a perfect army OF
rats running for their lives. We trod on
many or ran over them. and don't think
that am lying when l say that hundreds
were killed When we reached the scene
of fire 1t was all up with the house and
no need Of going into service; then numbers
of us regretted the fun we had missed by
not stopping to fight the rats. for they were
SO thick they ran across our feet as we
were fastening to the fire.
1.-THE Smithsonian Institution. the monu-
ment and the Armory building were the
material improvements of the mall proper
In anti-bellum days, and by fencing, plant
ing and caring for tree and shrub the
grounds were losing their ragged appear
ance. Now the botanical gardens fully oc-
cupy all the space between the Capitol
grounds. Sd street. Pennsylvania avenue
and Maine avenue, the grounds are up to
grade and the Tiber Is out of sight in the
sewer
That the vista was appreciated In old
times 1t is only necessary to refer to a SEN
ator, Mr.. A. G. Brown, having said in a
speech in the ffties that he would remove
the Smithsonian and return the money to
Smithsons heirs that the view might be
preserved.
There are Sd and 9th street parks and on
the latter the fish commission depot and
the Pennsylvania railroad depot; the Smith
sonian park, with that building: the Nation
al Museum and the Army Medical Museum;
the Agricultural grounds. with a depart
ment building and annexes and fine en-
vironments: the monument grounds. ex-
tending west and south to the river. con-
Meeting with Presidents Park on the north.
on which are also the propagating ponds Of
the fish commission and a government
propagatng garden.
THE vista of over fifty years ago has
completely changed. both in near and dis
ia wi ARLINGTON
then Gusts plantation. with wellwooded
hills"