Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-21

dred feet east Of 27th street north
west was erected, owned and occupied
by one OF the Peter brothers, who were
connected by marriage with the wife
tof Cen George Washington. and when
passing through this section the gen.
ersl always made q stop there before
continuing his journey to his loved
home at Mount Vernon. And recall
here an account given me by my father.
who lived on an adjoining square. of
the generals putting UP hero for a
night at the Peters house, on his way
home after the end Of his presidential
term in 1897: The citisens OF George
Town. and the few then settled west
OF Rock creek. learning Of his inten-
ton to resume his journey on the next
morning. called meeting and re-
solved to assemble on the X street
bridge and greet and bid him farewell.
rode on horseback between the ranks
formed on each side. heads were uncov-
cred and handkerchiefs waved Nor there
were ladies in attendance). and my in
formant, who was present. said there
were no unmoistened eyes in that as
semblage. Surely the Peters house is
worthy Of a special mark"
Z The two bronze markers which are al
ready in place cost approximately $500
In neither instance did the
Capital building to be marked call
49, for. an elaborate design or
AAAS~"' workmanship, as would be
the case in marking the Treasury or like
building. The wording. too. in both in
stances is simple. The inscription on the
old Capitol building reads: Congress
convened here during 1s15-1S19 while the
Capitol was being rebuilt. And here also
the Inauguration Of President Monroe
took place in 1917. Later the building
became known as the Brick Capitol
and was the home of many congressman,
including John c. Calhoun, who died
within its walls March 81, 1850. During
the civil war the building was used as a
prison and called the old Capitol
prison."
Information beyond that given on the
tablet has been sent the committee
which includes some interesting facts,
among them being the mention Of the
the occasion of President Madison's
inauguration during the time that site
was occupied by a building then used as
q hotel. H. " Hill kept q congressional
boarding house here the story goes on,
for nearly twenty years. chiefly south
ern members Among those who resided
here were John Mcqueen of South Caro-
lima. jeremiah Clemens Of Alabama and
James L. Orr of South Carolina. Speak
during this time that Calhoun lived and
died in the house. In speaking Of the
time in which the house was used as a
prison. the story tells of Henry Wirz of
yard back Of the house; also Sergt
Sperry and Charles Williams were hung
here. Belle Boyd. Confederate spy was
confined here"
the Decatur house reads thus: This
house built In 1919 was the home OF
Commodore Stephen Decatur, who died
here March p. 1920. from wounds re-
ceived in duel with Commodore Bar
ron. Among other distinguished men
who lived here we're Henry Clay, Martin
Van Buren,. Edward Livingston, George
NJ. Dallas, Edward F. Beale."
The various buildings and spots in
Washington which have been marked
tory of the nations capital, from the
time Of George Washington down to the
moro recent ones, including the marking
Of the site Of the old Baltimore and
Ohio railway station.
The residents Of Washington are to a
large extent ignorant of the. full scope
covered by these little
Visitors signboards and there are
u.,-.s few probably who can even
dimly recall having seen
half OF them. 1t is only the curious
sightseer, who has but a few short
days or hours in which to pack lifelong
remembrance Of the nations capital, and
who consequently goes around armed
with a catalogue and eyes wide open to
catch the first glimpse of everything
fit OF the tablet.
Th0
been marked represent ten years work
When the first markers were put up
there were almost two hundred sites thus
designated. while the next time only one
hundred and fifty were marked. Today.
while the list contains the original num-
Der. some have been dropped and others
added.
Probably few people know that one of
the points of local interest marked is the
site Of the one-time home Of Joseph Gales,
the famous editor Of the National Intel
ligencer: nor that at Argyle place, west
Of Piney Branch road, is the site of a
stone quarry worked by the aboriginal
Indians, remains OF their work being still
found In the vicinity. Then there is the
northwest corner of End street and Mary
land avenue northeast, where the only
armed defense was made against the in
vasion Of the British in 1914. while on M
street between SD and Saith the site Of
the Bank Of CoIumbis is marked. This,
District. was established in 1763. At 1903
X street is marked the house in which
President Taft resided during the time
he was Secretary of War. being also the
house in which he received the news of
his nomination to the presidency At 721
18th street Is the home in which Charles
Dickens resided when in Washington.
while at 1868 F street is the site OF
Aaron Burr's home, and at 600 14th street
the site Of q house in which Jefferson
Davis resided.
Just what sites. II any, will be marked
with permanent bronze tablets in the
present year is not known. If
Future the joint committee on the
library decides that some will
11au' be marked the permanent COM
mittee will make up q list containing per-
haps twice as many points as those to be
marked These. together with suitable
Inscriptions. will be submitted for con-
sheraton Aside from determining the
number of sites to be permanently mark
ed, the Joint committee has also to pass
upon the data to be inscribed upon the
tablet. so that the seal which will be
chosen to adorn each tablet can in all
truth stand as the official stamp of Uncle
Sam and be badge of authenticity.
AS each tablet Is erected short exercises
are held and the tablet unveiled with fit
ting ceremony. And SO as each Of Wash
ington's two hundred landmarks Is fit
tingly marked little group of workers
49,