Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-10-25

Square No. ESQ., between & and ID
streets and North Capitol street and New
Jersey avenue which is one of those to
be included in the park extending from
the plaza in front of the Terminal sta
ton and the Capitol. became the prop
erty of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad
about 1882 The railroad. however. es-
tablished its depot at the northwest cor
ner of Pennsylvania avenue and I'd
street, and from 1883 to 1852 passengers
and freight were landed there. About
1850. in consequence of raising the grade
OF Indiana avenue few feet, the track
west of New Jersey avenue had to be
abandoned and then the company pre-
pared the square for its terminal facili-
ties. Originally the Tiber creek flowed
northwestward and nearly cut off the
northwest corner of the square. In the
archives of the old corporation of Wash
ingtop there is evidence that the south
side of ID street east of New Jersey, ave-
nue. was one of the places designated by
Mayor Smallwood in 1872 as place for
cleaning and putting up fish, shad and
herring When the railroad went into
operation. the city corporation erected
the engine house and other buildings
about the corners of the squares. ana
when the depot was erected at that point
In 1852 freight track and warehouses
were built along the northern side.
1t may readily be supposed that this de-
pot. being that of the only railroad lead
ing into Washington. was prominent
place, but for many years there was little
settlement around Ii. In previous artl-
Gle we have stated some of the residences
In the square south along New Jersey ave-
nue. but soon after the commencement OF
the civil war business sprang up.
4 x
On the SPOT where the Hotel Engle is
now located, once a pond. the Emmett
House was conducted by Dan O'Brien., 1t
Was a very popular place, for its proprte-
tor for a long time was a stonecutter
ON the Capitol extensions, and having
a very extensive acquaintance. it was lib
orally patronized. On C street eastward
Bill Lee opened refreshment saloon
and poolroom and it was a great place for
the colored race Bill was as well known
to the whites as to his own race because
of his heavy weight. nearly three hun
dred pounds when half that weight was
in proportion to his height.
South OF the Emmett House was the
Senate House, a small two-story building,
In which Jack O'Leary. conducted a sa-
LOOM and it was said that he amassed
fortune Later Lazari. an Italian, opened
q candy and fruit store, and in a few
years retired from business with COM
potency and returned TO his native coun-
try.
Others on this side of the avenue were
the Dat.lers, who conducted a tobacco
business and resided there for over forty
years; Iitz's boot and shoe store first at
2S1 and since 1877 at al. Lambrecht. L.
Paost. c. Deitz and j. Clay Colson, who
was said to be of the mountaineer family
of that name in kentucky, were in the
saloon business. and WetZel Bros. We're
BARRIERS there for long time
Besides the trade from the depot, and
the travel to and from the Capitol. the
location there of the stables and car
sheds of the Washington and George
town Railroad Company about 1862 help
ed the neighborhood. These stables and
car sheds were on the site of the Brevoort
row Of dwellings. erected some years
Slnce by Thomas w. Smith.
On the south of these is standing the
Maltby building, now occupied as an
annex to Congress, which with other
property east of Arthur place will be
taken in the parking. The street cars
then ran from this point up Pennsylvania
avenue, first to near the corner of 18th
street and later to 18th and G. streets,
the railroad company base BAH park
was conducted here for some years. and
TO some extent this site was used by
circuses and other shows.
The old tavern stand. first frame
now the brick known as the Plaza, at
the southwest corner of Arthur place and
G street, was the famous Christy Boyle's
Hotel 1t will not be disturbed. The old
-Four Gun Battery. a row of four bricks
south OF II, has long disappeared.
-
Especially during the war were there
scenes which it is TO be hoped will never
be witnessed again = troops passing
through the city by thousands, most OF
them being debarked a few yards north
OF the station. After the first battle of
Bull Run. July Il, 1861, and when the
call Of Mr.. Lincoln for 10000 men was
being answered. the far-famed soldiers
rest was established just outside of
the station.
Some years before Mr.. James Crutchet,
who resided In house at the northeast
corner OF North Capitol and c streets.
had erected & long frame building. in
which he established a factory for max
ing canes from wood from Mount Yer
non About July the government took
possession OF this building for the pur-
pose OF subsistng and Quartering United
States troops arriv ng and departing
from Washington. The subsistence un-
der Col. Beckwith was placed in charge
Of Thomas III. Donohue. now living In
South Washington at the age OF eighty
three years. and under him James II.
Searie was assistant. with a corps of
cooks and walters. Meals were prepared
and served to soldiers. and at one time
no less than sixteen reg ments and
smaller bodies OF troops were furnished
with meals within twenty-four hours.
Under Gen. Rucker. Capt Smith OF
New Jersey superinended the quartering
and directing OF the troops Subsequent
iy John .Wurdeman, long an employe OF
the quartermasters department. who had
RECENTLY returned from the west. took up