Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-23
STATE DEPARTMENT
What It Was Like When It Was
First Brought Here.
OLD MEMORIES REVIVED
Duties of a Chief Clerk in the Long
Ago Years.
FAMOUS HUNTER CANTAL0UPE
Men Who Helped to Make Washing
ton and Where They Had
Their Abode.
FAMOUS HUNTER CANTAL0UPE

government which has to do with our
foreign relations, the Department OF
State. arrived here in 1900. John Mar
shall. the Secretary had force of eight
clerks and messenger. Yet he and
Mr.. Madison. who followed from 1901 to
1907. had to establish the department in
temporary quarters. Though the small
est of the departments, it's work was of
broad scope, and, in fact. every branch
of public service which did not belong to
the Treasury, War or Navy fell to its
lot. In addition to the diplomatic serv-
ice. the patent and land business was in
its purview. and in after years home
bureau was developed.
Fifth Auditor Pleasanton.
On the first roster was Stephen Pleas
anton, who. coming here from Phladel-
phia, served the government. and re-
sided a long time at 21st and F. streets,
and came to be pleasantly remembered
as the "old fifth auditor When, in
1917. the work of auditing accounts was
distributed. those of the State Depart
ment fell to the lot Of the fifth auditor.
reality change of title only. In this he
served out the balance OF his life till the
fifties. Another was Daniel Brent of
Capitol Hill. a brother of the mayor, who
ties. being the chief clerk. Christopher
S. Thorn of the west end, for many
years was here. and the family name
was long connected with the government.
tween 18th and 18th streets, was one Of
the originals. and William Maui of Goth
street and the avenue the messenger.
A Chief Clerk Of the Old Days.
John Graham was the chief clerk I'M
dor ba Afooroo od.nipiStra tim and ca
much service in foreign countries, espe-
cially i'm Central and South America,
when efforts were then made to throw
off Spanish rule, and, at the instance
of the President made a trip to the
southwest and interviewed the pirate
I-afitte. who was supposed to be con-
cerned in the establishment of an indie
pendent government there. Mr.. Graham
erected and lived in fine residence at
the northwest corner Of Massachusetts
avenue and 18th street, later for many
years the city residence Of Col. Hill Of
Barclay was early clerk here, but later
went to the Treasury registers office.
He resided in the early years in a colo
NAL frame house at the northwest cor
and later on 18th street. south of Penn
syIvania avenue. He was widely known
as a public-spirited citizen, serving his
ward many terms in the council. Thomas
L.. I
Thurston. then residing on Capitol Hill.
afterward at 9th and D streets. was
there, as was F. l.. Smith. j NJ. Baker.
a brother of Parson Daniel Baker of the
Presbyterian Church, and George E.
Ironside, living near H and Sth streets
southwest.
Complete Change in Is Years.
There had been nearly q complete
change made in twenty-five years, albeit
some names had long been here. Under
the admipistration of President Polk
Secretary Buchanan's clerical force had
as it's chief clerk icholss P. Trist.
Mr.. Trist had been in the service of
the department many years. In 1888 hav-
ing been sent to Spain q special agent
of the government. and during the war
with Mexico he rendered important serv-
ice as the commissioner to negotiate
settlement. He was a neighbor of the
Secretary. on the north side of F street,
between 18th and 18th streets. Robert
nearby; A. H. and w. s. Derrick and
Francis Markoe, jr.. lived in the vicin-
ity of the West Market. William Hunter.
jr.. resided in Georgetown, an years after
became the chief clerk and assistant Sec
rotary. The latter had a reputation be-
yond the pale of the department. Being
greatly interested in gardening he had
about his home fine assortment Of fruit,
flowers and vegetables.
The Hunter Canteloupe.
The fine canteloure of ants-tellum and
subsequent years took his name, as he
introduced it. the seed having been sent
him from the orient. John E. Norris
was then in the library, preferring that
as a more congenial place than his school
room at 9th and H streets. Mr.. Norris
was active as a member Of the Jackson
Democratic Association, of which. for
twenty years or more, he was president.
After hts departmental service he enjoyed
a large practice a lawyer and at his
death. his son. James l.. Norris sue
ceeded to the presidency of the jackson
association.
George Bartle, one of the messengers at
the time, retained his position for nearly
fifty years, dying in the service.
Up TO this period the number of en-
ploy es had not doubled in the department
proper. bu; the fifth auditor numbered as
many under its roof and the patent once
was growing elsewhere. DIR. William
Thornton SO we'll known in the cary
history of Washington was the keeper OF
patents and lived for many years on the
north side Of F street, between 18th and
14th streets. William Elliot, who was
by profession surveyor, and we'll versed
in the sciences. was the clerk. He lived
adjoining Washington's house on North
Capitol street, where for several years
he had an observatory, and with otners
interested in astronomy, studied the stars.
from 49, 70 1850 ne was ely surveyor
and was succeeded by his son. William
p. Elliot for two years. The latter
was long a patent agent at 81. and r
streets. Richard Fenwick, who then lived
on the south side of F street. east of
nth street, was the messe gel for many
years. The son. r. W. Fenwick spent
life time in the patent agency business
in the firm of Mason, Fenwick & Law
renee.
Clerks in 1920.
AS stated when the Office of fifth auditor
was created, Mr.. Pleasanton was placed
at it's head. Associated with him was
Thomas Musten, the chief clerk who
succeeded to the authorship, not, how
ever till each had grown gray in the
service. MFR. Musten i'm his early days
resided in Georgetown, but later on near
the corner of 9th street and New York
avenue About 1870 there were also there
john H. Houston. Samuel d. King, Bazel
Waring William Devices. David Easton,
Joseph Thaw, Robert Fisher. n. Harper,
r. B. Pottinger and F. Holland. Messrs
Houston and King often served In city
councils and they We're here as clerks
till the fifties. Mr.. Waring went to the
solicitors office. About 1915 there had
been bat little increase of force. but new
names had appeared. Then the roll in
c!uded John Deylin, then of the neighbour
hood of 18TH street and New York avenue.
after of Capitol Hill; Robert Rickett OF
18th street north Of G street. noted for
his activity in Sunday school work. long