Evening star., 1909-05-23
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

I'm The STAk
Half a century ago the fishinE indus
try was an important factor in the pros
perity Of Washington. the
Fishermen Potomac river maintain
ing large numbers OF fami-
Aalo oP' lies. When the fishing
was poor great suffering ensued among
those who we're dependent upon the
river for their sustenance. Such sea
son was experienced in 1859 and hard
times prevailed along the river front. In
The Star Of May 16 Of that year Is the
following paragraph:
From the appearance Of large num-
ber Of fishermen in the city we presume
the fishing season has closed at all the
landings on the Potomac. Many of the
poor fellows have been obliged to be sa.-
isfied with but a portion of their wages
in cash, the balance being given in due
bills, several of which have been exhib-
tied to persons who profess to know that
they are only worth the paper they are
written upon Two poor fellows on
Thursday made application to justice
of the peace to obtain their money by
legal process; another, for want of the
money due him, was sent to the work
house. All OF these had due bills TOT
the wages due them. 1t is said that tne
season has been failure. and many or
the proprietors, instead of profting by
their landings, will lose money. 1t Is
to be hoped that the proprietors Will be
able to Iay off all their hands in day
or two and not suffer them to become a
charge to the CITY,.
When Mr. W. w. Corcoran began the
construction Of the building on the cor
ner Of 17th street and Penn
Corcoran sylvania avenue, for many
Gallery years s occupied Cd by . the snd Goroo roe
the home of the United States Court OF
Claims. his purpose was not generally
understood in this city. In The Star OF
May Is. 1859, is the following news para
graph. constituting the first announcement
OF this enterprise Of construction:
THE mechanics and workingmen who
have SO frequently been benefited by the
energy with which w. w. Corcoran, ESQ.,,
engages in the work of beautifying and
improving the cities of the District and
the surrounding country are looking with
much eagerness to the commencement OF
the splendid mansion: which ne Is about
10 erect on the corner OF 18th street and
Pennsylvania avenue in the lot SO well
known to the juveniles of the West End
as 'Crap-apple Lot. The plan has been
opened to contractors, who are invited to
offer bids for the work. and the specifi-
sized pamphlet The architects are James
Renwick, jr., and R. T.. Auchnutty Of
New York. The structure will be a very
costly one. and 1t Is estimated that 1t
80 -
THE work of q single building on a
scale SO extensive will give, employment
to a very large number. Of first-class me-
chanics, who might otherwise be unoccu-
pied during great part OF the approach
ing season. Mr.. Corcoran has hitherto
been considerate in giving, out work to
the laboring classes at the very time
when 1t was most needed by them. and IL
is probable that the proposed work will
be commenced at such q time. Hun
dreds OF laboring men will be out Of en-
ployment during. the approaching sum
mer unless private enterprise supplies the
deficiency of government and corpora
tion work" $50
Mr.: Corcoran began his work as indi-
Gated In the paragraph just quoted. but
the war between the states interrupted
proceedings Of that character. The build
ing was fairly advanced toward compile
ton when in 1851 the government took
possession Of it. and it was occupied by
the United States quartermas ster general
until 1859, in which year Mr.. sCorcoran fe-
gained possession and decided tito thH
trustees of the art gallery Which he. HAD
endowed. Some years ago the gallery,
which had long outgrown its old quarters.
was removed to the new building to the
south on 18th street below the State, War
and Navy Department building, and the
government purchased the old gallery.
4 4
The open space at 9TH street and Penn
sylvania avenue has always been point
of assemblage and general
Sales popular interest, and for many
years 1t was an unsightly
scene that was usually pre-
sented there. 1t is place of reposeful
order at present compared with the state
of things described in the following para
graph in The Star Of May 20. 1859:
1.-The space in front of the Bank Of
Washington has been used for years past
as a sales place for horses, wagons, sec
ond-hand furniture, by licensed auc-
tioneers, as well as bailiffs for the sale
Of goods taken by distrain for debt. until
within a few months the mayor ordered
the police to prevent the auction sales
there: Since which time the bailiffs only
have been allowed this privilege. The
blockading of the gangways by crowds
attending the sales, and the risk of In
jury to persons by the reckless driving of
horses over the footways were doubtless
causes of just complaint. But who can
pass the spot on a market day and see
the little duds of some poor unfortunate
family exposed to public view by the
constab BILE by order of a relentless cred
itor without feeling that such expositions
are nuisances which ought to be abated
as certainly as the auction sales were ?
Passing there this morning, we noticed a
little pile of very ordinary furniture and
few implements of a laborers occupa-
tion offered for sale, around which a
number of people were gathered, who
were indicating in expressive terms their
utter contempt for the person who would
order such distrain. The most valuable
articles were a pine bureau, pine din
ner table, round stand, an old Calico
covered lounge, six or seven old chairs,
two old ladders, three flatirons, u wood
saw, washboard, two or three colored
prints, young goat and various worm
out hoes, rakes, etc. They had the ap-
pearance of belonging to a poor but in
dustrious person, and much sympathy
was expressed for the owner
HEARST and HISGEN.
From the st. Louis Globe Democrat.
Mr.. Hisgen has left the Hearst party