The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-29
WILL LOSE STATION
Gas Blower in PetwOrth to
Be Torn Down.
WILL MOVE TO ANACoSTIA
Little Bungalow Near Upshur Street
an Interesting Place to VISTA. d.
ClaKtOn, Keeper, Has Surrounded
1t with Pretty GRrdenS-Drfves Gas
to TaISoma-win Soon BE Moved.

Persons passing along Georgia avenue,
in Petworth. have frequently seen a lit
tie building OF the bungalow type on the
west side Of the avenue Just north Of Up
shur street II they did not know what
It was their wonder must have been
aroused as to It's purpose. 1t is surround
ed by gardens and flowers and is one OF
the beauty spots OF Washington. though
II is put to such a humble use as boost
ing the gas IN the mains out 70 Takoma
Park
The little white building. with it's broad
veranda and low. projecting roof, shelters
gas blower. which by mechanical means
Increases the pressure OF the gas IN the
mains in their long stretch from the city
10 Takoma Park. II was built by the
Washington Gaslight Company about four
years ago. and the gardens and flowers
are the work Of the keeper Of the sub
station. A. 3. Claxton.
Keeper Loves His Flowers.
The labors Of the keeper are light. con-
sisting mainly in keeping the one machine
in order and keeping II running at certain
hours in the afternoon and early part OF
the night He likes flowers and vegeta-
bles. and. devoting his leisure time to
their cultivation. he has surrounded the
station with about everything that blooms
and gives fruit and edible roots.
Among the collection Of growing things
In Mr.. ClaXtOns garden is a fig tree,
which bears real figs. the wonder berry.
tomatoes, melons. all species Of truck,
berries in their season. roses, pinks, mas
turtiums. and all manner Of curious
shrubs and plants.
Inside. the bungalow has almost as
many curiosities as Il has growing things
outside. Above one Of the doors hangs
an old musket. with flint lock. that did
service in the Revolutionary war OF 1872.
II was borne by one OF Mr.. CIaxton's
forebesrs. over another door is a rife OF
much later date. such as the early hun
ters in Washington carried. On the wall
Is revolver used In the civil war. and
about the room are various odds and
ends. such as Indian relics and curiosities
that have been picked up by Mr. Claxton
and his friends here and elsewhere.
VIII soon BE Moved.
But pleasant and inviting as the station
IS. 1t will soon be taken down and re-
moved to Anacostia 10 perform a similar
service for Congress Heights The gas
company has established a new route for
the gas mains in the northern part Of the
District. For several months workmen
have been laying new pipes out Fourteenth
street to the BrightwOOd race track. At
that point the TakOma and other mains
supplying the north end Of the District
Will be brought in and a new substation
VIII be erected IN the near future of
larger capacity. This will make unneces-
sary the Petworth station, and its re-
moval TO AnacOStia will follow.
Mr.. Claxton and his pleasant bungalow
Will be missed in Petworth. He is man
OF social proclivities and any one dis
posed 10 stop and visit with him is always
During the years Of his daily
so1ourn in Petworth ne has come to be
known by nearly all the residents. and
his station is frequently visited by indlvid-
uals or small parties who 20 to watch
the blower, look at the curiosities. and
have friendly word with the keeper.
one never pays a visit to Mr. Claxton
that he does not learn something inter
esting or useful about the growing OF
flowers or vegetables. He is a walking
cyclopedia Of facts about the garden and
Its management.