Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-28
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

Neighborhood wars between boys do not
seem to be as common nowadays as they
were years ago. They were
Sectional not unknown a quarter OF a
Strife. century back, when INC
full denizens of the region Immediately east
of the government printing office were call
ed. often raided the boys Of the adjacent
districts. Fifty years ago such section
rows were frequent. and even then the
adults were reminded of the campaigns OF
their own boyhood. In The Star of May q.
1855. this paragraph appears:
'Civil War.-Yesterday Officers Wise and
simonds, assisted by few citizens. dis
persed two juvenile armies engaged in bat
tie on Chicken-Cock Hill. north Of the Cap
itol. The officers succeeded in capturing
number Of the prisoners, some of whom
were released after giving security for
peace, and others sent to jail. These riots
grow out Of the jealousy existing between
the Capitol Hill and city lads, and were
common occurrences during our boyhood.
We do not say, however, that we took
hand in the battles
The water supply question, note of
which appeared In this column last week.
was rendered complex by the facts which
gave rise to the following publication in
the Issue of May 90:
The government water pipes, already
laid for the partial supply of the public
buildings in Washington, were, long since,
tapped at various points by individuals to
obtain water for private use. the consent Of
the proper authorities being first obtained
1t now happens, however, that the quantity
required to be used in the construction of
the various buildings now in progress In
Washington is SO great as to make the ap-
plication of all the water to be thus COM
manded necessary to that end. So the
commissioner of public buildings has ap-
piled to the Secretary of the Interior for
permission to shut off all the branch pipes
of individuals hotelkeepers and others.
and has been authorized to do so, after
giving those interested sufficient notice to
enable them to make arrangements for OBJ
tanning supply elsewhere.
Washington had its commercial aspira-
lions half century ago. In The Star OF
May % occurs news item
Local which, after announcing the
Shining arrival in the Potomac of
two ships from the Chinca
Islands. laden with guano. proceeds thus:
Gould one induce our business commu-
nifty generally to initiate the enterprise Of
our friend (Fitzhugh) Coyle in bringing to
our waters ships of a large class, we might
soon see our city becoming a point of COM
| mercial Importance, and our national adj
vantages in this respect rapidly developed.
while upon this subject we may remark
that our Eastern branch channel to the
| navy yard Is shortly to be deepened to
| twenty-five feet, for the purpose of getting
to sea our beautiful Minnesota now rapid
ly approaching completion. That done, the
largest class ships can reach our wharves
without difficulty or detention"
A reader of these old newspaper files will
find very little to indicate the conditions
then so swiftly coming to climax to pre-
cipitate the civil war. Debates in Congress
were occasionally rancorous, and there was
a strong undercurrent Of passionate senti-
ment, but little of the unrest appears in the
news prints. In the issue of May "a occurs
| a suggestive personal as follows:
Some days ago malicious report was
published In the papers that Mrs. Harriet
Beecher Stowe was recently insulted In
| Virginia by being burned in eff1gy. There
are not few base-hearted persons who, at
the expense of truth, are ever ready to ma
| lign southerners and their domestic insti-
buttons. The rumor to which we have just
| alluded is case in point. But hear Mrs.
Stowe herself:
" Nothing occurred during our stay that
| was deemed anything but the kndest and
most distinguished hospitality, and 1 trust
all editors who have contributed to dissem-
| mate d ldlSe impression OF the chlVairy OF
| the Old Dominion will insert this rectifica-
tion.' &"
| The Marine Band concerts at the Capitol
| on Wednesday evenings were a favorite
source of popular entertainment in the fif-
ties, as now, and The Star thus comments
| Upon them:
There is no resort in this vicinity more
| popular-none where an hour can be more
| pleasantly and beautifully employed. Good
nature is prevalent and happiness beams
from every countenance.
| I'VE know Of no place where the fashions
| of either male or female can be displayed
| to better advantage, where beauty can be
| more appreciated. and where those little
| responsibilities called children, whether In
| hand carriages or in the arms can be more
admired. A fine opportunity. too, is af-
| forded for the display of Juveniles Of a
| larger growth on the lawn, or Showing Off
| their fine dresses. for the incubation OF
vanity seems to be among the first house
hold lessons"
Henry A Wise was elected governor of
Virginia in May. 1855. after one of the
most spirited campaigns ever
Elect1on waged in the state. The issue
Excitement. was chiefly that involved in
| know nothing movement
| Mr.. Wise declared in his characteristic
| speeches that the know nothings" were
abolitionists in disguise. and the canvass
| conducted by his opponent. Flournoy, was
| sufficiently sharp to arouse the state from
| end to end. The Star had prophesied Mr.
Wises election and was consequently
| pleased to print in the issue of May % the
| news of his success. 1t seems that the
| successful candidate had received the re-
| turns from the field at the residence of his
| son-in-law, Dr. Garnett, on 9th street, and
| arrangements had been made for grand
| jubilee in front of Browns Hotel Saturday
| night.
washington for ninety-eIght hours, !"
| says The Star of May 70, has been in an
| intense state of excitement, unexampled In
| its history. All ages. colors and classes are
| evidently under it's influence From the in
FAINT just out of arms to decrepit old age
| the tongues are waggng upon the prospects
of the election or defeat of Henry A.
| Wise. The streets until this morning when