Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-02

ed in Davidson's heirs and the United
States. Originally one cent per foot in
value in 1907, half cent in the twentieS,
reaching one and half. with no improve
ments charged save 800 to Davidson's
heirs. there was little change of ownership
till 1929 In 1910 Davidson's heirs sub
divided lots to into fourteen parcels.
Greenleaf and John Dickerson with the
Davidsons. had been interested before.
Then James A. Kennedy had lots and Z
to II. the east front of the square. The
next year Leonard Harbaugh had lot 10.
W. Mel. Grips lot Z. northeast corner of
the square and VIM. Coltman lots 8
and on 18th street. Lewis Johnson
bought lots / and IL on southeast corner
in 1893, and in 1895 ]. F.. Callan had lot
at NJ street
and II. which included the south and
northeast corner OF the square. Mr.
Nourse erected near 18th and l. streets
a two-storied building as his residence
and lived here for years, spending Office
hours at the Treasury and others in beau
tffying the grounds. In 1910 w. II. Clam
pitt. a carpenter and builder bought sub
lot 2, on the south front of the square,
and substantial improvements followed.
Clampitt improved his portion and Charles
F. Wood and John P. Hilton. carpenters.
who purchased the lot adjoining the same
year also. three fine two-storied and
dormer frames appearing. William
Campbell the same year bought lot 10.
n Ill.
I. and p. Jackson. in 1912. sub s, on 18th
street. Arthur L. McIntire in the latter
year bought lot I. corner of 18th and NJ
streets. and a few years after erected a
fine three-storied brick residence In this
year Marie W. Van Zandt bought the
frame dwelling at the northeast corner
of Massachusetts avenue and 18th street
and here resided for many years Col.
J. p. Van Zant. veteran Treasury clerk
secretary Of the city councils in the early
days and justice of the peace. Two sons
were officers of the navy-Joseph an
engineer who died long years ago, and
n. B.. who had reached a lieutenancy in
the United States navy before the civil
war and then high rank in the Confed-
crate navy.
Erection of Residences.
The same year William Pope, in early
life a butcher, in middle life connected
with the National Era and later a Treas
ury clerk, bought on Massachusetts ave-
nue. and erected a two-storied building,
yet in service as the back building of one
of the fine residences erected after Adj
joining Mr.. Pope on the east Jonas P.
Keller, then a patent agent, erected
three-storied house and afterward Maj.
Nicholas Vedder was resident here. Rev
John Robb, at one time chief clerk of the
general land office, and Mason Campbell
We're on Massachusetts avenue in the fif-
ties.
Near the northeast corner of square 316
there was standing in the early days
huge tobacco barn or stable, which during
a high wind nearly seventy years ago was
blown down. 1t was this. probably, which
was listed on the tax books in 1902 to Da-
Wilson's heirs at S1GO value. Near it was
story and a half frame occupied by
Edward Murphy, whose widow lived there
long after. Samuel p. Robertson. well
known as preSsman on the Congre SSional
Globe and in other Offices and popular in
local politics, as we'll as a volunteer fire.
man and in the District military was a
stepson of Mr.. Murphy and spent his boy
hood here The settlers about 1910 in
some instances proved fine gardeners,
numbers having fine shows of fruit. flow
ers and vegetable which not only were
given much care, but required eternal
vigilance, for to the taste of youth stolen
fruit is sweet. The garden of Col. Van
Zandt was an attractive one. for it re-
ceived constant attention and water
troughed from wilkins pump opposite to
reservoirs kept constantly filled.
Personal Incidents.
Mr.. Pope was musical, for long time
attached to Mckendrie Church choir and
in his young days clarionetist in a Balti-
more band. He was wont on pleasant
evenings to pass the time with that in
strument. often with family and friends
engaging In singing. The neighbors high
ly appreciated the music. There was
other music heard-pianO. flute and ac-
cordion-and with the exception of the
singing of young lady there was APP
plause for all. 1t was the custom of the
vocalist when people We're retiring to
sleep near II o'clock to strike the high
C's and render sleep impossible. This
was endured for few nights, when
from a neighboring house came forth the
most unearthly shrieks and bellowings,
which would do credit to frightened cat
tie and swine. completely drowning her
voice. The hint conveyed had it's effect
and after few weeks she resumed her
practice but in seasonable hours.
A young man grew up in this neighbor-
hood who had the reputation Of Icing the
ugliest man in Washington. 1t is said
that he was once told by man similarly
afflicted that knife had been given him
to hold as the ugliest man in his state
till he found one more worthy, and our
ia man agreed that ha rpifo