The Washington herald., 1911-03-26

A vERITABLE GOLD NINE.
Through the foresight of a Whining
ton capitalist this spot, rich in historic
interest, but seemingly of little addi
tional value. has been turned into q
veritable gold mine-opening up broad
vistas and disclosing possible golden op,
portunities for many acres of practically
abandoned ground, where the soil com
position may be equally as rich along
the same lines.
Joseph Swift is the Wilmington cap
italist. The spot is the former site OF
old Fort Mahan, and part Of the exten-
sive Reall or Manning estates, a com
manding hill overlooking the intersection
of Benning and Anacostia roads. And
into the very heart of the big hill a
hydraulic ram throwing a two and one
half inch stream of water under III
pound pressure is pointing the way to
a new industry in Washington and a
period of improved building materials and
better buildings. A landmark Is disap-
pearing to make way for another ster
toward Industrial Washington"
The few visitors to the spot are given
a sight of hydraulic mining in its most
advanced conception-a process reserved
as a show view even in picturesque Cali
fornia-that is, IL they are fortunate
enough to obtain the guidance of Capt.
William A. Faulkner, general manager
of the plant. whose. energy, generalship,
and supervision have made the industry
a success from the start. From the road
nothing appears but group of small
power and engine houses, short trestle
and piles of immaculate, cleaning sands
and gravel.
By Royal Grant.
To the site itself is attached a ter
ritorial pedigree that goes back to the
reign of King George III of England.
1t was contained in one of the royal
grants from the hand of the latter and
figured in the letters of Lord Baltimore
late in the eighteenth century.
Shortly after the close of the Revolu-
tionary war it passed into the hands Of
wealthy landowner named Beall. and
was known as 'Bealrs Adventure" Ad-
joining ii on the west is another part of
the original estate, set down in musty
records as "Bealls Pleasure" and be-
tween the two properties, down what is
now the Anacostia road Gen. Ross led
his British forces as he retired from the
burning capital during the war of 1s12.
passing under the silent fortihcations Of
Fort Mahan. from which the small gar
EisOH "dlCHcu lHc VI lhS
nations Capital.
The first mansion was erected on the
place early in the nineteenth century.
after ..Bealrs Adventure had been sold
to another family, the head of which
is still remembered by ancient darkeys
living around there as "Marse Majah
Manning" For years-even after II had
descended to the major's eldest son, DR..
Wilford Manning-the place was one of
the handsomest plantation estates in this
vicinity. Farmed by scores of slaves,
boasting fine horses and live stock. and
within a few miles of the Capitol, it was
one of the show places Of the District.
Maj. Manning had all the Southerner's
love OF fine horsefiesh, and on the crest
Of the hiu may still be seen traces of
the half-mile track where his thorough
breds received their training and exer-
else. fayorite sport which the major
passed on to his son.
DR.. Manning was one Of the hundreds
who left for the war when the first
thunders of civil strife were heard In
1851. Like hundreds. too, he neither re-
turned nor sent back message after the
farewell wave Of his hand az he dissp-