Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-07-09
IN OLD WASHINGTON
By James Croggon.

In the early days of Washington the
people were interested In the art pre-
sentative of all arts. printing, and booK
stores made their appearance in limited
number On Capitol Hill a book store
was located Immediately south of the
Capitol on New Jersey avenue about 1900.
and not far of was the once of the Ma
tional Intelligencer, established by Sam
uel Harrison Smith, which few years
afterward passed into the hands OF Gales
& Seaton. This book store was conduct
ed by Daniel Rapine. who for many years
was prominent in municipal affairs. be-
ing a member of the first council, one OF
the organizers of the volunteer fire de-
partment and held high rank In the Ma
sonic order. He succeeded Mayor Brent
in that Office and for years was one OF
the leading citizens Of the section.
At the northwest corner Of the Avenue
and 9th street William Duane, who did
some of the public printing. had his OF
flee and book store. subsequently Roger
c. ,Weightman, who erected the buildings
on the site of the National Hotel, succeed
ed to Duane's book business. Mr.. Weight
man was also prominent In municipal al
fairs, a long time a member OF the coun-
Gil and mayor of Washington in 1924 to
affairs, in which he achieved the rank OF
major general of the District militia. He
was long connected with the Bank OF
washington. and the latter part OF his
life occupied pOslt1On In the patent Oi-
fee as librarian.
Adjoining Browns Hotel on the Avenue
between 9th and 7th streets was the once
of Davis & FOrde, who also dealt In
books and stationery. and both OF these
gentlemen were also prominent in NUM-
cipal affairs. the latter becoming mayor
of Washington in the thirties, In which
decade he published the National Journal
He was author of the valuable compila-
ton known as the American State
Papers. He too. was in the military
service. long a captain Of the Columbian
Artillery, and he held a commission IN
the militia of the District as colonel at
the time Of his death.
Andrew Ways Printing Office.
At the corner of 9th street and Pennsyl-
vania avenue Andrew Way had his print
ing office and book business prior to the
twenties Jacob Gideon became associated
with Mr.. Way. and the firm of Way &
Gideon was a leading one for years. Mr..
Gideon succeeding to the usiness, con-
tinued it on 9th street to the end of his
days. The original corner in 1920 became
known as Gunton's corner. In the build
ing at the northeast corner Of 10th and
streets the SO1uHDldH Quar- was pup
lished in the twenties by Anderson & Nee
ham, On Pennsylvania avenue between
Sd and AZ streets. in the row long known
as the Elliott building, the Washington
Gazette was published by Jonathan Eli
oft, and he had also a book business. At
the corner of 21st street and the Avenue
the National Republican was published
by James G. Dunn and edited by Col.
Thomas l.. McKenney of Georgetown,
who had been superintendent of the In
dian supplies and was prominent as a
military officer in the war of 1912.
Benjamin F. French in the twenties kept
at Duane's old stand, 9Th and the Avenue,
popular book store. A few doors west of
The Star building Fishey Thompson had
| a book store which was very popular. Mr..
Thompson had come here from England,
and after about a score Of years he re-
turned to his native land, 1t is said. with
a fortune. Henry Guegan of Baltimore at
intervals of few weeks exposed stock
| Of foreign books and literature on the
south side of the Avenue opposite