Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-25
IN OLD WASHINGTON
By James Croggon.

community when it was known that the
way to Washington was blocked.
Several days passed and there were no
arrivals and in the meantime the rail-
road tracks We're guarded for some dis
lance north Of the city by District troops.
The I'd Brigade of Massachusetts, I'M
der command of Gen. Butler. after the
encounter in Baltimore. landed on the
Naval Academy wharf at Annapolis and
the troops were CHARTERED on the old
friGatc Constitution tOld 1ronsides) and
in other places. This command was
joined here few days after by the 18th
Regiment of the New York state militia.
Col. I.effcrtS They at once marched
up the Annapolis and t,lkridge railroad
and at Annapolis Junction met train
by District troops. On their
arrival here a large crowd greeted them
at tho depot ana they were heartily
cheered as they passed up the Avenue to
arrival of troops from the north was al
most continuous.
Home of James Crutchett.
Just east of this square was the resi-
dence of James Crutchett, as was also a
large frame building in which Mount Yer
non canes were manufactured. \ COM
pany of the 9th L. s. Infantry took quar-
other commands were stationed there.
The building above referred to as cane
factory was used as the Soldiers Re-
treat and the government soon erected a
large frame building. to accommodate the
troops, known as the Soldiers Rest. Dur
ing the war the place was in charge OF
Maj. L. NJ. Camp and thousands of sol.
diers, refugees and paroled prisoners
here We're fed and afforded rest Among
other incidents which took place here
was the placing on trains Of suspicious
persons ordered out of the city by the
military authorities. Such persons We're
corralled at the central guard house and
when the time came, they were marched
out and placarded Thief "SWindler,
Beat" etc, and headed by drum and
fife corps under guard of soldiers, were
paraded on the Avenue and on the prin-
cipal streets before being sent off. The
.Rogues' March became thus wei
known to the boys of Washington.
After the war was over there were busy
seasons in this section until the compile
ton of Union station. No improvement
of North Capitol street had been attempt
ed north OF G. street and the latter was
simply q dirt road during the war. Fort
years since. however. the grades of New
jersey avenue and C street were raised
under the board of public works and the
grade is now fifteen feet or more above
MI. McDonald's Fine Home.
In the square east of the depot. the
southwest portion is still on the origina
grade. twenty-five feet or more above the
pavement. As early as 1916 John G. Nc
Donald bought the lot OF the northwest
corner Of Delaware avenue and G street
the present site Of the Senate stables and
No. :; engine house. Mr.. Mcdonald lived
in the Washington house on North Cap
itol street at the time. but about 1890 he
built fine three-story brick residence,
which was his home and that of his SON
William j. Mcdonald, for many years
Father and son were clerks in the office
of the secretary of the Senate. and their
home was very attractive one, sur
rounded by trees. plants, etc. making it
one of the show places OF Capitol Hill
Overlooking the railroad tracks near the
corner of North Capitol and d streets
was the residence of John Skirving, an
architect, for about ten years. from 1884
This was also 9 pretty place on the brow
OF the hill surrounded by gardens.
About 1915 James Crutchett bought at
the northeast corner of North Capitol and
c streets and erected on the summit of
the hill Il frame cottage, yet standing as
part of the Yznaga home. Mr.. Crutchett
called the place the Bethesda cottage.
and it was set out with trees, flowers and
plants. He was the originator of solar
gas which he manufactured on the
premises lighting his home Herewith.
and it is believed to have been the first
place in the District where gas was
used Regarding his experiment as a
success. he secured an appropriation to
light the Capitol building, as well as the
grounds. and on the old dome of the
Capitol mast surmounted by a lantern
eighty feet above the dome was used.
The light was one of the brightest ever
seen in the District but for some reason,
probably the cost. the project was aban-
doned and the following year contracts
were made with the recently incorporated
gaSlight company.
In the square east of the above. be-
tween Delaware avenue and list street
east. north of G street, Ephriam French.
in the late forties, erected at the south
west corner of the square a three story
building. yet standing there. Mr.. French
lived there several years, and is well
remembered by many older residents for
his work At tile setting in the Capitol.
lust east of the above the three-story
frame house now there was erected soon
after, and for many years was a resi-
dence Of David McComb. who had spent
nearly his entire life in the navy as cap
tains clerk. and in his old age was for
many years commandments clerk at the
navy yard. Later on at the corner of LIST
and c streets Roths brewery was estab-
liShed.