Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-12

In old Washington there were many
streams flowing from springs as well as
drains, by which the surface water was
carried off. All traces of them have dis
appeared; some of them being included
in the extensive sewer system of today
Much of the larger portion of the city
within the corporation was drained by
the Tiber, which became the Washington
city canal. Several streams flowed into
this among them two in the heart OF
the city. these carrying the spring water
as well as the drainage from that section
between 9th and 14th streets north of
the canal and south of * street. 1t is
probable there are none now living who
ever saw that stream, which in the be-
ginning Of the century flowed from north
Of + street down nth street. This had
it's rise in spring northwest OF Eth
and G streets and it ran through the
square north of + street between 18th
and 18th streets and crossed down 18th
street to the Tiber canal.
Spawned by Bridges.
This was SPAWNED as early as 1908 by
several bridges at Pennsylvania avenue
and f and + streets. constructed by
Thady Hogan at cost to the city of
$3.50 each. At this time the waters of
the Tiber extended very nearly to c.
street. At the same time there were sew
eral buildings on 18th street, including a
theater at 18th and c streets and a
Masonic hall across the way.
Some of the buildings were Henry
Smiths row on the east side of 18th
street south Of + street; Jake Dixon $.
at the southwest corner OF 18th and r
streets and Andrew Carothers famous
grocery store at the northwest corner.
There also were on the east side Of 18th
street above f street the two fine
dwellings erected by the schoOlmaster,
John Mcleod, who was one Of the Irish
patriots of 1898, and previously had estab-
lished a school at the navy yard, but later
moved to 10th and G. streets, and In the
latter part of his life to 9th street be-
tween G and II. North was one of the
most noted pumps.
The other stream. known as Sluice run
down in the last century, has some his
torical interest. 1t had it's rise in the
springs in square Nos. 249 and 2S4. The
waters from the spring of Gen. John
Dawson, whose house was in the square
between X and l. and 18th and 18th
streets, ran out into 18th street about Is
street and then southwark. On the east
side Of square 249, now Franklin Park,
another stream burst forth. uniting with
that from Davidsons flowing down 18th
street, and near the corner of l street
the small run from the springs III the
square united and coursed down to Fl
street passing through square oS7. now
the site of the New Masonic Temple.
At this point was located the lanyard
of George Cover. who had his residence
adjoining and conducted the business
there for thirty years or more.
Seven Oaks Hill.
At the southwest corner of 18th and III
streets there was small hill on which
there was a grove of trees. and this
was known as the Seven Oaks. The
stream crossing III street was diverted
eastward, bearing south to Grant street
between 9th and 10th. where having
grown in proportions and taking in a
small stream which flowed down 10th
street. wendell it's way to the Tiber.
entering the same between 9th and 10th
streets Where this turn was made the
square was entirely bare of improve
ments save the Protestant Orphan
ASYLUM and the Van Ness mausoleum,
now the site occupied by the George
town Medical School. and the school
building of Mr.. Mcleod, over the door
of which was the sign, Order Is
Heavens First Law"
q street had not been cut through. and
there were many stones near the rum
BY common consent 1t became the
famous battle-ground of the printers"
and ''Nineters," rival bands Of down.
town. and Northern Liberty boys. who
were wont to meet almost every after
noon and engage in a stone battle, which
resulted in many scars, some or them
borne to this day.
Constable Near Battles.
John Waters, a we'll known constable,