The Washington herald., 1907-03-31
OLD TIMER IS GONE
Augustus De GrummOnd Was
Picturesque Character.
MET MANY UPS AND DOWNS
known as Public Well Digser'' in
the Days Of the Shepherd Regime.
Noted as Pumpmalker Then-WOn
$4,000 tn Louisiana Lottery
Drawing at nn OppOrtune Moment.

Augustus De Grummond, who died last
Friday at his home 6Ss Maryland avenue
southwest. is we'll remembered by the
older men Of Washington as one Of the
most interesting and picturesque charac-
ters the city ever produced. According to
his old associates, he was one of the most
amiable Of men. whom fortune could not
ldisgruntle, and from whom melancholy
fed as from a pestilence. Gus" De
Grummond, as he was familiarly known.
had good word for everybody. and in
places where men gathered years ago for
evening chat over their cigars he was the
life of whatever party he was pleased TO
join. His stories were the best and his
repartee the cleanest cut of all who might
gather in the hotels and cafes of the
town.
Mr.. De Grummond was in business a
Iumpmaker and IN the days OF the Shep-
herd regime in the city government he
was known as the public well digger. "
At that time, and even before and after
ward, he made the best pumps In Wash
ington. and furnished them for the pub
lie Wells. also digging the wells and set
ting up the pumps.
In the general expansion Of the city
under Gov. Shepherd. Mr. De Grummond
accumulated quite sum of money. which
he invested in what was then a growing
quarter Of the city on Maryland avenue
southwest. There his family located and
his sons and daughters were reared 10
manhood and womanhood. II is said
that his home life was without flaw,
and that his family was one Of the most
esteemed IN South Washington. He was
ever the amiable husband and indulgent
father
Fourth Of July Victim.
One Of the misfortunes which overlook
Mr.. De Grummond. some fifteen years ago.
happened on the Fourth Of July. Several
little boys and girls we're shooting of
fireworks near his home and while sitting
III his yard watching them and sharing
their sport, he pretended 70 fan asleep IN
his chair. One Of the miscfievous boys
placed a large cannon cracker down be-
side the chair and ran away. Mr. De Grum-
moud miscaleulated the length Of time for
the burning OF the fuse, and in stooping
over TO brush the cracker away II eX-
ploded and put out one Of his eyes Mr. De
Grummond took the accident philosophi-
cally laughed it of in his good-natured
wzy. and in after life frequently joked
about his impaired sight.
Once, in his amiable way. It Is said. Mr..
De Grummond went on the bond OF a man
accused Of shooting another in one Of the
hotels. He knew the man. believed ia his
innocence, signed the bond which baiied
his friend out of prison. and then was
forced to pay the bOnd-a large oneself
ing one Of his houses to meet the obliga-
ton.
A story is also told of how fortune
came TO him in another form. With sey-
eral friends he went to the centennial
celebration of the fan of Yorktown. From
some cause the party went broke" as
the saying is. There was not enough
money left in the party 70 bring more
than one OF them back TO Washington
Mr.. De Grummond. the story goes. hap
pened 70 have Ia his possession a ticket
Of the Louisiana Lottery
He Draws $4,000.