Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-06
HOME OF TREASURY
First Department to Have Its
Own Building.
NOT ONE NOW IN USE
But on Same Site and Ready When
Capital Moved In.
STRUCTURE THRICE ON FIRE
Destruction Nearly Complete Last
Time-Two Brothers Accused
as Incendiaries.

The Treasury Department was the only
executive Office which, on the removal OF
the government here. in 1900. found a
permanent abode ready for its reception.
1t was a far different home than the
present edifice, which covers the original
site
This was plain brick structure of two
stories with cellar. located on the west
side of 18th street, its north front about
on lire with the south side of F street
and contained less than forty rooms
Though the erection of this building had
been provided for in the act of 1i9o' II
was not complete. few rooms needing
flooring and trimming out. Nevertheless
the Secretary. Oliver Wacott. and his
force of about eighty in all were pro-
vided with accommodations, About July
] the finalcial department of the govern
ment was in operation
Provision was made by the act of May
q. 1900. for its protection from fire and
fire engine purchased. As was proven
this was wise precautlon, for the nlSnt
of October IL a fire took place. IhlS Is
believed to he the first time fire eXtln-
gushing apparatus was used iii Wash
ington.
SO efficiently was this worked that the
flames We're confined to the room in Whlch
they originated. and the loss was nut
slight intrinsically. but there were some
papers and records beyond price de-
stroyed.
Two houses for the messengers were
provided for. also two wells and pumps.
IL was found necessary for the preserva-
ton of the records to provide an addi-
tional building. owing to the dampnesS OF
the lower part of the Treasury. Under
act of 1905 fireprOOf structure was
erected. This was located about the CEN
Of no of q
ing 1t was two-Storied oblong struc-
ture and aside from its use by the Treas
ury the State Department clerks were at
times located here. With other public
property both buildings were destroyed by
the British in 1914 and the clerks, with
what could be gathered from the debris.
located in houses opposite. The
main building was soon put In habltable
condition, the masonry having proved
safe for use and by 1916 business was
conducted at the same old place. In 1917,
the erection of two additional executive
buildings having been authorized. one was
placed directly north of the Treasury for
the Department of State. 1t was similar
in size to the original Treasury of some
forty rooms, and fronting north on the
northeast corner of the reservation had
somewhat imposing appearance, with large
porticoS. columns and pediments.
Col. Tench RinggOld the marshal,
Cartwright Tippitt, the jailer, and assist
ants were leading the prisoner out when
Daniel Brent, chlet clerk or the state De-
partment. arrived with reprieve for six
months from President Quincy Adams
This ended the proceedings and in few
months Lanam was given life lmpriSon-
ment. The change of program, however
greatly excited the mass of people who
had assembled. and many denounced the
action taken and lotered round the scat
fold for hours discussing propositions to
voice their sentiments by an indignation
meeting or through the public press.
In March, 1879. the third fire occurred
in the original Treasury building. and the
destruction was more complete than dur
ing the invasion in 1914. save that some of
the books and papers were preserved.
This was a case of incenda rism supposed
to hide crime. and two brothers named
White were charged with the crime, one
being acquitted on his trial and the other
found guilty and sentenced to the peni-
Tertiary.
In a little time three of the three
storied brick dwellings the site of the
Hotel Regent southeast corner of Penn
sylvania avenue and 18th street were
leased for the department. and for sew
eral years this was the Treasury office.
For some reason nothing done look
ing TO rebuilding new building for
three years.
President Jackson for the erection on or
near the site of the former Treasury
building of a fireproOf structure. The plan
selected was that submitted by William
ent agent. The building was commenced
by an appropriation of 100000 that year
and continued several years. the sand
stone portion of the mammoth pile re-
suting in about four years at cost of
over 100000.
Room for State Department.
Col. Joseph Elder, commissioner of pub
&c buildings, who had the direction of
the work. had that room on 18th street
north of the line of G. street ready for
the occupancy of the State Department in
1919. and John c. Calhoun, the Secretary
moved in with his clerks The depart
ment accountant, who was then the fifth
auditor. was located here. as We're the
general land office under Commissioner
Josiah MeigS. the commanding general OF
the army and adjutant general
The location of these army offices here
during the days of Gen. Jacob Brown.
who died in ISIS was accompanied by the
establishment of a detachment of United
States cavalry in quarters north of the
building. Orderly service was performed
by the cavalrymen, and they were mount
ed messengers for the departments So
long were some of them here that they
came TO be personally known to many
clerks
About 1923 an unlooked-for event oc-
CURED. A Sergt Lanam had been re-
duced 10 the ranks for infoxicaton and
blaming. one Kelly as the cause vowed
vengeance. Leaving the barracks he
went off, liquored up and returned KILN o
Kelly by shooting him. He was tried by
the civil authorities. convicted and sen.
fenced to be hanged. but barely escaped
The writer was informed many wears
ago by a lifelong resident of the neigh
borhood that the case excited much in
tereSt In the offices. On the day SET for
the execution many clerks were in the
crowds about the jail and scaffoid The
former was about the center of Judiciary
Square. and afterward became the Wash
ington iniirmary, which was DESTROYED nv
fire in 1867 and the latter was erected on
a knoll north or g street opposite the
north door OF the pension building
That portion faced by the colonnade
which is now undergoing a transition
from sandstone to granite was first
erected and the offices moved in as the
rooms were prepared. The south wing
was the first in use. and to the treasurer
were assigned quarters on the main floor
south of the main entrance the first be-
Ing the cash room, with Il vault of small
dimensions
About 1872 the west wing was complet-
ed. and soon after the treasurere occ,pied
rooms the main floor, having an or
binary room with an adjoining room for
vault for handling cash. With the ex-
penditure of about $4,000 more the sec
ond treasury was about completed and
soon occupied by its bureau. About 1874
the Offices OF the second controller and
land office moved here from the State
building and third auditor from the navy
and the Attorney General