The Washington times., 1911-08-11
MAN WHO BUILDED
POETS CABIN, LONG
AGO, IS RAZ|NG It
Capital Home of Joaquin
Miller Soon Will Be
Rebuilt.
SITE TO BE CHOSEN
IN POTOMAC PARK
Historic House Once Was Mecca
for Statesmen and Men of
Letters and Art.

famous poet, who occupied it during his
brief period as a resident of Washing
ton, the little log cabin which, for
twenty-seven years, has occupied po-
sition on Meridian HILL probably the
most prominent point in the city prop
er, soon is being transferred, piece by
piece, to its new location.
The exact spot upon which the cabin
will stand is not known at this time.
Neither has the site for the proposed
S2,0O0, 600 memorial to Abraham Lincoln
been selected. If the latter memorial
is constructed in the most prominent
spot in the river reservation, and If
the entire amount appropriated by Con-
gress for its construction, is used, 1t
probably will attract no more attention
than the Miller cabin, particularly from
the literary classes.
There are scores of persons in Wash
ington today who remember Miller when
he lived in Washington. frequented daily
Newspaper Row." made infrequent
visits to the Capitol, and other Govern
ment buildings; mixed and mingled
with the leading figures in the social,
diplomatic, literary, and financial world
and spent his late afternoons and even
Meridian Hill, a house that cost scarce
ly $3.50 and erected upon ground that
could be purchased at almost any price.
Quantity Situated.
While occupying the highest point OF
Meridian HILL alone, the little cabin
was well fitted TO its surroundings. A
wild rugged point was selected by the
poet for home site. Below it. at the
time, were acres Of rough land, and
surrounding it on all sides were ir-
regular masses of trees of no particular
kind or size. In recent years, how
every, Washington has pushed itself in
that direction. Now on three SIDES
beautiful and expensive homes which
the nation can beOast have arisen.
When the million dollar residence for
former Ambassador White was erected
in front of the little ca bin its grandeur
Immediately disappeared.
The cabin was designed to harmonize
with the wild ruggedness of the land
surrounding 1t. The moment this rug
gednesS was toned down the impressive
ness Of Miller's former home was lost.
Entertained Much.
The California State Society which
has so conscientiously worked for
months to preserve the structure, de-
Cided to remove the hut to Potomac
Park The society was assisted by the
California Congressional delegation, and
the hundreds of friends of the Poet of !
the Sierras"
Many are the tales handed down re-
garding the little cabin and Its master. !
There are many Washingtonians living |
who remember the visits made to the |
$3.50 structure by famous literary and |
financial men, actors and actresses, and |
Government officials of that day They |
still tell of how the rugged poet still .
clinging to his manner of dressing |
adopted in his earlier days while pros
Pecting for gold in the far West, or
leading a mass of Indians against a
civilized post, entertained in his Merid- |
IAN Hill home.
Receptions were frequent But the
guests understood that every reception
was TO be of the most informal char
acter. Miss Maud Miller, the actress
daughter of the poet, assisted her father
in acting as host. But nothing of the
stage with its glamor and ghlter ever
found its way into the simple little
home
Decorations in Cabin.
Furs, many of which were obtained
on Miller's hunts through the danger
GUS country of the far West, occupied
conspicuous positions all over the
house. Ragged, rough furniture helped
carry out the idea of the poet as to
how home should be decorated. For
Miller always has been a true portrayer
OF life. He has felt what he has writ
ten, and to give his writings the tone
for which they have become famous, it
was necessary for him to breathe the
very atmosphere in which mis- scenes
were laid
Miller SDent several rnontbS IN Io,5o,, |
before coming to Washington This
practically was his first public appear
sSnce' as literary genius. He had
been in the British capital but short
time before all England became inter
ested in his work. His poems appeared
frequently in the current publications. |
1t was but a short time until England
wanted to see the man who was re-
sponsible for the work.
Miller was modest. England had
rather a difficult time in getting him TO
come to the front. He became the man
OF the hour. He was wfned and tined. |
and was the guest IN royal circles He
liked it, and when he returned 10 Amer
lea and came to Washington to engage
In journalism his likes accompanied him.
Lover of Simplicity.
The reception accorded him in London
was repeated here. But Miller never
lost his earlier likes-those for simplicity
and unarectedness.
lepeated efforts were made to have
the poet give up the little log cabin and
move to the fashionable residential sec
ton of the city. But these were of no
avail
few months ago, the cabin, almost
forgotten, served as the home for the |
Caretaker of the few outbuildings which
dotted that part of Meridian Hill Re- |
Gently the little cabin was filled with
architects blue prints, for a million
dollar home has arisen within a few
feet Of it. The man with the blue
prints has moved. The veteran
builder, Fl D. Renninger, who con-
structod the cabin twenty sever years
ego, is taking to pieces the logs and
boards which he nailed together, and !
will carefully transfer them to Potomac |
Park. Ten days will be required in re-
moving tha cabin. Another ten days
Will be required in which to reconstruct /
1t. But the finished building will remain
for years as a monument in Potomac | !
lIall to nnn Of WashinrtOn's most f. |