Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08
ROSE HILLS HISTORY
When the Navy Yard Was Un-
Ger Water.
FIGHTING BOB'S" TEACHER
Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth, After
ward a Novelist.
COMMODORE PORTER'S HOLDINGS
Contest for Supremacy in Music
Between a Negro Fiddler and a
Muiatto Violinist.
COMMODORE PORTER's HOLDINGS

One of the old-time vlllage-like ne:ghbor-
hoods of Washington is that which was
first known as the Niger Hill' of the
Navy Yard section and afterward for many
years was Rose HILL" The intersection
of 4th and L streets regarded as about
the center of this hill and its bounds We're
X. NJ, I'd and 9Th streets
The canal was on the west. the branch
or Navy Yard market, and the market
canal or slip on the east, and sparsely set
tied territory on the north; but south of NJ
street there was quite much settlement.
Though the houses were mostly small and
some where cabins, there We're com Portable
homes on the hill and many worthy families
lived here, some of whose descendants are
now residents of the locality.
Fire Company Organized.
Before 1870 such had been the growth and
many were the frame houses that 1t was
deemed expedient to organize a fire COM
pany and procure apparatus. Accordingly,
at meeting held in December. 1919, such
company was organized at Mattingly's
tavern and, an engine having been pro-
cured, the ciSEborhOod had the Phoenix
fire company early in 1920. John \. Chai-
mers was the president. and on its roster
OF fifty or more on the active list were
the names of the most prominent citizens
Thomas Howard. w. II. Barnes, Benjamin
Bean, Joseph Folaasbee. W. r. Maddox
;. i. Lowe and Joseph Talbert among them
The government about this time pur-
chased two engines, one Of which vas
placed In the hands of the Columbia fire
company near the Capito,. and that COM
pauy gave up the corporation engine to the
Phoenix company. II had career OF
some six years, during which time the APP
paratus was kept 1t the tobacco warehouse
The meetings were held at Mattingly's tav-
eru.
Owners of Rose Hill.
This and much OF the adjoining ground
was in the lines of Daniel Carroll of Dud
dtngton when the city was laid out, but
It was not long before Morris and Green
leaf held large possessions. In 1900 Capt
W. Mayne Duncansou owned three squares
those known as SIS and S6H, between the
canal, 30, Il and NJ streets and 500 be-
tween 81. 4th, l. and NJ streets. Capt
DUnCanson's holding was with the covenant
to build twO-sto-y brick house on every
third lot, but this was not compiled with
The property unmproved was subjected to
the suits In which Greenleaf, Ray and
others were involved with DuuCansOn and
through the trustee, Francis S. Key, In
1915, sales was made and title passed. The
other squares within the bounds. Nos. 1g9,
s25, south of SO and s53, We're in the
market and some transfers by lease were
made early In the century and a few build
ings appeared, a number on leased ground.
Land heclalmeo LOT navy 1ard.
In the square known as north S53, be-
tween l.. NJ. 9TH and 9th streets, there were
four lots plated In 1877. those fronting the
market canal in 9th street being vested in
Mr. Carroll and the others In the United
States. In 1900, however, Mr.. Carroll con-
Veyed to the United States squares $50 and
Ssh between 9th and 9TH streets. south of
NJ street, then nearly covered by water,
taking In exchange the title of the west
half OF square north S53.
These squares, $50 and SS4. comprise in
part the site of the navy yard. having long
since become part of the terra frma, as
well what was once ST. Thomas bay, as
far as 4th street.
In 1903 Samuel Speake owned lot on
]. street and Alexander Mccormick ad-
Joined on the same lot. At that time the
valuation was cents per foot for the
ground which twenty-five years later bore
but half cent. In 1917 Cornelius Mclean