The Washington herald., 1907-08-14
Historic Homes of Washington.
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

BY FREDERI
The oldest residence In the city Of
Washington. the one whose walls have
housed the men who have given America
its storied past, and in which are still
bound up our dreams of a glorious future,
is the White House When It was pro-
vided for in the original design Of the city
II was known as The Palace When It was
first built it was The Presidents House"
After ii was burned by the British Il
was painted white and in popular par
lance was soon called by its now familiar
name, although officially known as The
Executive Mansion" until Mr.. Roosevelt
became its occupant. The White House
Il Is now, and ever shall be, for there Is
so much O. history and legend in the old
name that it will always be retained.
In the third year Of Gen. Washington's
administration as President a prize Of
$500 was offered for the best design for
a house for the President James Hoban,
a native OF Ireland, but then a resident
of South Carolina. was the successful
competitor. His plans closely copied the
design of the house Of the Duke OF I4in-
ster in Dublin. Originally. he planned a
three-story structure, susceptible of being
extended by means Of wings and colon
nades. Gen. Washington liked the idea.
but the public was aghast al such mag
nlricence. The republican sentiment pre-
vailed, the plans were simplifief. and the
well known, two-story building Of few
rooms was the result. The corner stone
was laid by Washington In 1892 and the
house was completed in 1899 1t was first
occupied by John Adams in 1900. and his
good wife Abigail hung out the family
washing in the East Room. Every Presl-
dent since Adams has lived there, and had
his office there, and under that roof have
been administered the policies which have
resulted In the growth OF the loose fed
Grafton of thirteen poverty stricken colo
nies into the mightiest nation of the
world.
Burned in 1914 by the British troops.
the White House was rebuilt without
except that the scorched sand
stone was painted. During the admins
tration Of Gen Jackson. the northern
portico. the one oftenest seen in pictures.
was added. No other important altera-
tons were made until President Roose-
velts time. when a half million dollars
was spent in improvements When Mrs
Cleveland came TO the White House a
bride she had visions OF entertaining
many Of her girl friends. knowing what
an event In their lives it would be. but II
could not be done, for there are not
enough sleeping rooms at the White
House 70 permit of entertaining more
than one or two persons al q time. De-
spite the fact that the nation has out
grown the house. as Hoban and Wash
ington foresaw, it is still beautiful, and
in its simple grace typifes the democratic
spirit Of the greatest of republics.
One square to the southwest Of the
White House, in a quarter OF the city ont
of the usual paths of travellers. is the
'Octagon House" sharing with the White
House the honor Of age and second only
to the White House In interest among the
homes of Washington. The "octagoa
House" was built by Col. John Tayloe. of
Mount Airy. He had intended to build a
city home IN Philadelphia, but Gen.
persuaded him TO come 10 the
Federal City. The house was finished one
year before the White House. and was oc
cupied one year after Adams took posses
sion OF the Presidential mansiort. Col
Tayloc was the richest man In Virginia
after Washington died, and his home was
the scene of the most lavish hospitality
The house is of peculiar shape. as indj-
Gated by its name, being octagonal with
q circular tower at the entrance. WhAn
the White House was burned, President
and Mrs. Madison took up their residence
here, and in the round tower room on the
second floor the Treaty of Peace with
England was signed. Col. Tayloe was AT
the head OF society. He had been edu-
Gated at Cambridge. IN England, and dur-
ng his residence in the "Octagon House.
four of his former classmates came n
America as British ministers.
The "OctagOn House" is said 70 he
haunted. and the negroes of the neighbor-
hood fear the bell-ringing ghosts IL har-
Oors. There are stories OF underground
passages from the house to the river
IF secret closets and panel doors. that
have frightened and delighted tunjor
for decades. A thrilling
story OF murder and mystery has been
written with this house as q thaater
II events, and 1t is often spoken OF as
The Fflagree Ball. house II Is owned
~ the American Institute OF Architects
md is kept open for public inspection and
When George Washington selected the
site of the Capital City, he had no DIFF
iculty in persuading eighteen of the
landowners to turn over half their prom
srty to the government in consideration
Of the enhancement of the value of the
lalf retained. But with Davy Burns a
,anny Scot. who owned a farm whara
he White House and Monument are now
situated, 1t was different. Washington
argued with Davy long and earnestly
At length he said: Had not the Federal
City been laid out here, you would have
lied a poor tobacco planter" Wheraat
he son of Caledonia Tetorted: "Av mon
IN he'd We no married the Widder Gus
is. wi a her nagurs, yed hae been
and surveyor the moo, an mighty moor
Inc al that" When Davy wouldn't
told him he must. and he
consented with characteristic Scotch
hrift. by extracting a proviso that the
lite Of his own cottage could not be
aiken. and that no lots should be sold
or private buildings in that vicinity.
His daughter, Marcia Burns. was the