Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-13
EV|CTED, SPURN AID
E. S. Rowe, SO, and Sister
Spend Night in Rain.
LOSE HOME OF II YEARS
Decline to Accept Hospitality of
Takoma Park Citizens.
BIT OF CANVAS ONLY SHELTER
Mrs. Brown Unwilling to Forsake
Brother in His
Plight.

Declining to accept the hospitality of
citizens of Takoma Park, Nd, Edward
s. Rowe. sixty-eight years old, and his
sister, Mrs. Brown, spent last night prac-
tically unsheltered from the rain on
vacant lot, just across the street from a
little wooden hut which they had occu-
pied for nearly seventeen years, and from
which they had been evicted The only
shelter from the storm they had last
night was small piece of canvas which
they had stretched between two trees on
lot owned by James Lansburgh Of this
city. at the corner Of Tulip and Carroll
avenues.
Two physicians examined Mr. Rowe
yesterday. and are now preparing their
report, which will be submitted to the
board of county commissioners next
Tuesday
The couple today remained on the Lans-
burgh tract, where they spent last night.
Citizens have been supplying them with
food and yesterday small purse of
money was given the couple. They have
not caused any trouble to the town au-
thorfties, and the officials Of Takoma say
they do not feel that under the circum-
stances Mr. Rowe and Mrs. Brown should
be forced to leave the town. It is now
said to be up to the county commission
ers to take such action as they see fit in
the case.
Sale Causes Custer.
The little structure which had sheltered
this couple for SO many years faced Car
roll avenue, at the corner Of Tulip ave-
nue.. and was on what Is known as the
Holt tract. This large piece of property,
consisting of about eighteen acres, re-
Gently was sold by H. p. r. Holt, who
was one Of the pioneer residents and
property owners Of Takoma Park. The
tract has been subdivided into building
lots by the corporation which purchased
Mr.. Holt was for number Of years
employed in the Navy Department and
since the sale Of his home and property
removed to New England.
AS soon as the new purchasers took
title to the property notice was served
that Rowe and Mrs. Brown would have
to move. This was last November. At
that time Sheriff Welt Of Montgomery
county. served notice that they must va
cate at once. but after noting the condi-
tons and the fact that winter was ap-
preaching the two were permitted to re-
main. Sheriff Howard. who was elected
last fall. appeared yesterday, served a
second notice. and as a result today the
little wooden cabin is tightly nailed UP,
while it's occupants look longingly across
the street to the structure which had
housed them so many years.
Efforts Are Resisted.
The condition of affairs attracted
a number of the residents of the town.
who urged the couple to take shelter I'm
their homes. but they rejected all offers
of assistance Finally the attention Of
the mayor and members of the town
council was called to the situation, but
Rowe resisted all efforts to send him to a
charitable institution.
Mrs. Brown, 1t Is said. has been the
only support of her brother for years. and
naturally she was unwilling to leave him
in his plight last night. AS a result. she
remained with him throughout the night
under the temporary canvas shelter. Mr..
Rowe is a member of an old Virginia
family and is a veteran of the civil war.
having served with distinction in the
Confederate army.
Town Clerk Ben G. Davis and Council
man Richard d. Rush spent q considera-
BILE portion Of last evening with the
couple in the hope that they would ac-
cept one of the offers made and spend
the night with friends until suitable quar-
tiers could be obtained.