davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1915-11-17
POLICE HUNT SOUNDER
OF FALSE FIRE ALARMS
Three Turned In During Early
Morning Hour and Maj. Pull
man Orders Search.

Three false alarms of fire were sound
ed between midnight and / o'clock this
morning, and Maj. Pullman, superin-
tendent of police, gave the police in
structions to make every effort to ap-
prehend the offender. The first of the
three alarms was sounded from box
519, located at 1st and E streets south
east, and the second from box So, sum-
moning the firemen to I'd and C streets
southeast, both only short distance
from Maj. Pullman's home.
Shortly before 1 o'clock an alarm
sounded from box 636 summoned fire.
men to the vicinity of I'd and East
Capitol streets. Persons residing in that
locality were aroused by the noise of
the fire companies responding to the
alarm.
A small fire of unknown origin oc-
CURED in the house of Sarah Smith, 92S
Liberty street southwest, about 5
o'clock yesterday afternoon. The dam
age amounted to only SIS.
The fire department received a call
about o'clock yesterday afternoon and
extinguished small fire on the prem
ises of Somerset r. Waters, 1342 7th
street northwest. No damage resulted.
The fire occurred in coffee roaster.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
Percy S. Foster Honor Guest.

Percy S. Foster of this city, secretary
of the National Piano Dealers Associa-
ton, was the guest last week of the
Piano Merchants Association of Rich
mond, Va. At dinner Friday night he
delivered an informal address on the
piano trade. discussing the subject from
various angles, stressing the advantage
Of cooperation and the elimination of
evils which harass the trade.
While in Richmond, Mr.. Foster was
entertained at the home of J. G. Gorley,
president of the National Association
of Piano Merchants of America.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
The Great Blessing

We have much reason to be
grateful, since there's no warfare,
grim and hateful, within this smil-
ing country's borders; we slay not
at some marshal's orders. In Eu-
rope men are now preparing for
months of freezing and despair
ing; they'll spend the winter IN
the trenches, while foes, with guns
and monkey wrenches, make daily
efforts to dislodge them, and
they'll be too blamed cold to
dodge them. Oh, when you're
seated in your rocker, with trusty
pipe and shilling shocker, with
peace and comfort all around
you, and not a peril to confound
you, think how your transatlantic
cousins are being shot up by the
dozens. There are no comforts in
the trenches; no rocking chairs or
padded benches; there are no
sprightly evening papers, to tell
the latest foot ball capers. The
men must stand in muddy water,
and WELD the musket and the
swatter, and shiver in the biting
blizzard, which freezes them from
nose to gizzard. Oh, think of
that while you are rocking before
the fire, and blithely talking of
White House brides and income
taxes-think of the swords and
battle-axes! WALT MASON.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
HELD ON HANDBOOK CHARGE.
Charles Hood Accused of Accepting
Bet and Refusing Payment.

Charles Hood. proprietor of lunch
room, was arrested yesterday on charge
Of making a handbook on the races.
He appeared in Police Court later and
gave a bond of $1,000 for his appear
ance at trial. Milton Block. whose ad-
dress is given as 1853 Park road north
west, charged that Hood accepted a
bet of $50 from him on horse race
November 1.
According to Assistant United States
Attorney Ralph Given, it is claimed by
Block that he won more than 500 on
the alleged bet and that Hood refused
payment Block complained to the
prosecuting attorney.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
Towels Needed for Wounded.

The noted American painter. Eliza
beth Nourse, who is working in Paris
for the poor and wounded. appeals for
towels (old or new) for use in the
hospitals. She writes there is no
nationality here for the wounded. Ger
mans Belgians. English and French
receive the same devoted care. Amy
towels sent to Mrs. ]. W. Pilling, 1901
Massachusetts avenue, will be for
warded directly to Miss Nourse.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
Sues City Railway for $50, 900.

John H. Boarman, a carpenter, has
filed suit to recover $4,000 damages
from the Capital Traction Company for
alleged personal injury. He was cross
ing M street in Georgetown, the plain
tiff says, September 16 last, when he
was struck by a car, and had his head
injured and his left arm cut off, He is
represented by Attorneys Daniel Thew
Wright and T. Morris Wampler.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
1855 Enrolled at G. W. U.

Present registration at George Wash
ington University is 1.755. as compared
with 1878 for the corresponding time
last year. according to the weekly re-
port of Prof Richard Cobb, secretary
Of the institution. The enrolment at
present in the various departments fol-
lows: Graduate School, SO, Columbian
College. $40; College of Engineering,
eos; Teachers College. 40; Law School,
35s: Medical School. 1876; Dental School
10S: Pharmaceutical School. As. and
Veterinary College. 65.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
Vaughn Class to Give Concert.

The twenty-fifth annual concert of
the Vaughn class of Calvary Baptist
Church is to be given Friday night at
s O'Clock, in the Sunday school house of
the church, Sth and H streets north
west.
Among the participants in the concert
are Mrs. Ethel Holtzclaw Gawler, MISS
Beulah L. Harper, Charles w. Moore. ).
F. NJ. Bowie, Miss Marguerite c. OIooie.
Marie Higgins, Miss Mary Alice Mayd-
we'll and George H. O'Connor.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
IS NAMED VICE PRESIDENT.
Rev. E. Del. Mcdonnell Goes to st.
Peters College, Jersey City.

Rev. Eugene Del. Mcdonnell, S. j..
formerly pastor of St. Aloysius Roman
Catholic Church, who was recently
transferred to Philadelphia, where he
became one of the assistant clergy of
St. Joseph's Church, has been appointed
vice president of st. Peters College Of
Jersey City, N. j.. according to in
Evening star., 1915-11-17
BOY SCOUTS TO PARADE
SATURDAY AFTERNOON
Leaders Selected for Whirlwind
Campaign to Raise $4,000
Maintenance Fund.

Boy Scouts of Washington will hold
their first parade Saturday afternoon.
Starting from the Peace Monument at
3.45 o'clock, they will march up Penn
sylyania avenue with their drum and
bugle corps as far as 18th street. and
will return via F street, 7th street and
PENNSYLVANIA avenue.
Later in the afternoon demonstra-
tions of scout activities will be given
by SQUADS of the organization mem
bers on the lot adjoining the Belasco
Theater and at 7th and Pennsylvania
avenue. The demonstrations Will IN
clude fire-making. signaling, first aid,
tent pitching and other popular scout
activities.
Series of Addresses Continued.
The series of addresses which nave
been given in the school buildings by
National Field Scout Commissioner
Housman are being continued by his
associate, H. NJ. Butler. who yesterday
spoke at the Curtis, Hyde, Addison, Ed
munds and Congress Heights schools.
The headquarters of the Washington
council of the Boy Scouts is a busy
place these days. in its preparation 1or
the campaign for the thirty-thousand-
dollar fund for maintenance. The coun-
Gil has already secured the active CO.
operation of the following, who have
agreed to act as team captains during
the whirlwind campaign: Colin Living
stone. F. D. Middleton, e. c. Finkel,
Robert S. Young, A. w. Davis, Vernon
Bailey, f. C. Brooks, J. Z. Bangs! D.
J. Callahan, Grant Leet, John E. Fin
ney, DR.. P. E. Brengle, A. B. Leet, L.
c. Robinson, Richard Connor, Isaac
Cans, Odell Whipple, o. ]. De Moll,
Frank Sebring, LIE Roy Mark and c. x.
Brand.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
To Plan Further Belgian Relief.

Plans for renewing their work are to
be discussed at a meeting of the Dis
trict of Columbia Belgian relief COM
mittee Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock. at
the home of the chairman, Mrs. John A.
Logan. All persons interested are cor
daily invited to attend.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
Civic Section of Club to Meet.

A meeting of the civic section of the
Twentieth Century Club is to be held
morning at II o'clock at the
All Souls Church.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
CITY ITEMS.
Cans A.paragus, SOC, 3 Can. swee

3 Cans Asparagus, SOC; 5 Cans Sweet
Wrinkle Peas, 25c; large cans Beans.
21c; Sifted e. J. Peas, re; E. ]. Peas,
sc; Sugar Corn, &c; Sugar Corn. 71sc:
nilla or Lemon, 25c; lbs Evap.
Peaches, 25c: 4 lbs. Fancy Head Rice,
2oc: lbs: Macaroni or Spaghetti. 25c:
lbs. Buckwheat, 25c; 5 SKIS. Salt. 1Oc;
Pure Pepper. 20c; Best Butter, 32c;
Peanut Butter. 10c; Pure Lard, 11Lc:
Choice White Potatoes. 2oc; Sweet Po-
tatoes. 25c; % Nutmegs. sc; 2h-lb. cans
karo Syrup, 1oc; Penn Mar Syrup. 1Oc;
large cans Cal. Peaches. 1Oc. 1888 NJ
st. NV. and all the J. T. D. Pyles Stores.
Evening star., 1915-11-17

formation received in Washington to-
day. He succeeds Rev Edward Far
rell, S. j., who, together with three
Jesuits of eastern sta5es, is to start
at once for India for service as profess
sors at Bombay and Calcutta to take
the places of Germans who have been
forced by war regulations to discon-
tinue their work.
Since Rev Mr. Mcdonnell has been
located in Philadelphia he has formed
Third Sunday Brigade similar to the
one he built up here and this he will
lead in the parade in Philadelphia this
afternoon in honor of the golden jubi-
lee of Archbishop Prendergast.
Evening star., 1915-11-17

Desirable ONCE Rooms.
The entire third floor of The Star
Bldg is available fo- desirable tenants.
It will be rented as whole or in part
-Advertisement
Evening star., 1915-11-17

Phone Your Want Ad to The Star.
Main 2440.
Evening star., 1915-11-17
Landscapes. Schmidt, 1922 18th st.
Claffn Optical Co., 0O7 F St.
Correct Lens Fitting.

See J. Jay Gould's ad in phone book.
Evening star., 1915-11-17

Spelshouse. 1915 eth. Main $500. Paper.
hanging. window shades. picture frames.
Evening star., 1915-11-17

Savoy, 14th st. & Columbia Rd.
TODAY-R. A. Rolfe presents F'fiIE.. BAR
RYMORE and an Al-Star Cast. IN y
Metro 5-act pr duction THE FlNA
JI-DGME.NT.'' AlsJ MUTUAL NE-hi.l
ADMISSION. Zoe.
Evening star., 1915-11-17

Leader, 9th Bet. T. & r SITS. NV.
TODAY-wm. Fox presents Wll.LlAM FAX
. NUM-, in THE PLUNDERER.
Evening star., 1915-05-02
Search for Relations
III HE Rambler's sketches of 4,

IT HE Rambler's sketches of historic
places and old families often bring
from remote places requests for infor-
nation. Relations are often a liabil-
fty, but In some instances they seem to
be considered as an asset The number
Of persons who are intent on looking
up kinfolk and tracing their family
connections is very much larger than is
suspected by persons who are not in
terested in such things. or who are in
terested in that subject. but feel that
they are singular in this respect. The
Rambler gets a volume of mail asking
facts about old District. Maryland and
Virginia families. and in most cases he
is unable to give answers which are
satisfactory to the inquirers. but he
does the best he knows how with these
letters, and generally sends the in
quirers along to some proper person.
few weeks ago the Rambler visited
Melton Farm. on the River road, and
told his readers all he facts he could
gather about the ancient stone house
now owned and dwelt in by Henry
Loughborough and his family, and
which has been in the possession of the
Loughboroughs for several genera
tions. The other day an odd letter
came from Tindall, Dawson county.
Mont. 1t was signed James r. Loush-
borough. 1t follows:
Will you kindly send me Hepr. Lc1ghbnrooxh
Ny father was Loughborough and be wes from
Virginia. and l would like to fnd out II
any relation.
The Rambler found II somewhat in
convenient to send Henry Loughbor-
ough, but he mailed the Montana
Loughborough the printed account of
the ramble over the lands of the Loush-
boroughs on the River road.
Evening star., 1915-05-02

Ii that statement was accurate the stone
has again been removed. and the Rambler
has asked a good many persons about it
without getting any information the
matter. Perhaps he has not struck the
right man.
1t was early in the nineteenth century
that Commodore Porter Of the United
States Navy bought a tract of land on the
hill and erected fine house on the brow
of the heights on the line of 18th street.
The south doorway of Commodore Por-
ter's house was due north from the north
doorway of the White House and the
meridian stone, which was two feet thick
and projected two feet above the ground.
stood on Commodore Porter's north lawn,
and he surmounted il with sundial.
Commodore Porters house was stand
ing Meridian hill during the civil
and was used for hospital pur-
poses But it seems not to have be
come permanent hospital IT was
used as emergency military hospital
bur the patients were later removed to
Columbian. Carver. Stone and other
hospitals the Mount Pleasant
heights. That was "A region of mill
tary camps and hospitals. July IA. 1861,
military hospital was opened in the
Columbian College building. which
then stood on the heights on the west
side of 14th street. between what are
Evening star., 1915-05-02

hood. ''Muligan's hill That wooded
hill is the round top" opposite the en-
trance to Mount Olivet cemetery. a
cemetery instituted by the Catholic
clergy of Washington and which was
consecrated in 1859. Though Mulligan's
hill from the usual points of view
on exploring it that 1t is irregular and
that it is really long hill or short
ridge bending north and east and
broken by number Of deep wales and
ravines whose sides and bottoms are
laurel brakes
Down in the depths of these woods
the Rambler encountered the group of
children shown in the picture. They
We're playing school. but quickly
climbed on the old rail fence to be
photographed
Passing along the easterly face of
the ridge and walking close to the
Eastern branch. YOU pass the mouth of
Hickey branch, cross the Hickey lands,
climb along the Licking banks-rougl
and difficult going = and through
dense woods and thickets far back of
the National Training School for Boys
Coming into cleared land again you can
turn west, and old roads or paths will
lead you along the branch which runs
through the dueling ground and the
central part Of the battlefield of Bla =
densburg and which will bring you once
more into the busy world of the Bla-
densburg road close to the abandoned
Riley brickworks and where a pasture
road leads over to the railroad crossing
at Deanwood
Evening star., 1915-05-02

now Clifton and Fairmount streets. The
building had been erected in 1921 as
the seat of a Baptist college. When
first given over to hospital purposes
Columbian College Hospital had $50
beds. but it's capacity was Increased
again and again, rows OF tents and
temporary wooden buildings being set
up until it had facilities for caring for
500 sick and wounded men. BY 1864
there was a city of hospitals extending
along the heights north of the bound
airy from Rock creek to the Eastern
branch
There is a great deal about the Por-
ter mansion which the Rambler does
not know. 1t was there In 1865. Com
modore Porter tried to sell the prop
erty in 1928. for the Rambler once ran
across this notice in the National In
felligencer of Monday. October 13, 1928,
which is valuable because of the de-
scription of the house and lands:
Meridian Hill for Sale.-Being duly authorized
by Commodore Porter, tho subscriber offers
Meridian Hill for sale. This property. the last
residence of Commodore Porter while in this coia-
try, commands q beautiful and extensive view Of
the District and Of the surrounding country and
is one of The most desirable places 10 the Dis
tYict. The lands contain about sixty acres and
are highly improved and have number Of val
liable young fruit trees now in bearing.
TIE buildings consist of large dwelling house
finished In the best style, and of Necessary out
houses. including an overseer's house and sub
Evening star., 1915-05-02


village frames and their tenants re-
main today, especially along 18th
street, and a few of the old village
side and south of Columbia road.
The lands of Columbian College ex-
tended along the west side of 14th
street from Florida avenue to Sher-
northward from the college lands to
Park road
On the west side Of 18th street. some-
what north of the crest Of Meridian Hill.
are two big cement blocks These are
remains of the steps at the main en-
trance to Wayland Seminary. Wayland
Seminary was removed to Richmond in
the early 96's and the seminary building
was torn down, but these piers which
were part of the front entrance have
remained
When the work Of putting Meridian
Hill Park into shape was begun few
weeks ago there was torn down wide
fronted, two-story brick dwelling on the
brow of the hill. A few summers ago
the Rambler visited that house and by
way of introduction wrote this:
On the, brow Of Meridian Hill, but somewhat
nearer 18th street than 18th. at he most COM
niaDding point, in what will be Meridian Park,
stands wide brick house shaded by large trees.
north to avoid climbing the hill. entering the
Meridian Hill Park tract from that point where
necessary by the steep contour Of the land
reaches the high and level ground of the
Meridian Hill section near the French en-
bassy and the marble home of Mrs. Marshall
Field The northern part of the park has
the appearance of commons. 1t is grown with
weeds and irregular pa tches of sunburnt turf and
criss crossed with hard packed wandering
footpaths worn by persons making short cuts
across lots. At the rear af the big brick house
,ha. stands alone at the brow OF the hill a
man pulling weeds in field of tall and
thrifty corn. Standing at that corniield one
distance
the brown stone Henderson house. the tree bow
cred and <ine-tangled Fuller house directly TO
the west OF Henderson castle. the house Of
former Ambassador White and other fine places
in that neiehborhood. The pulling weeds
out of the corn c. D. Colvin. once of Prince
William county. Va. but for a quarter Of a
century resident of the Meridian Hill neigh
borhood and tenant for nine years in the wide
brick house the brow of the hin.
Colvin told the Rambler that when he
came into that neighborhood 18th street
was clay way. deep in mud in winter.
and 1t was lined with shacks, many of
them onestory high and rooted with
Evening star., 1915-05-02

tarred paper. The standpipe. so long a.
familiar object on the Washington sky
line. stood where the 10th street cut is
deepest. The pumping station on Z
street filled the standpipe. and in that
way the high part of the northern
heights section of the city was supplied
with water
Colvfn said that the brick house on
the brow of the hill had been built in
the late 70'S or the early sos by a man
named Moves, who had lived there. but
sold the property to Wayland Seminary,
and that he sometimes drove up in a
buggy to revisit his old home.
Another man who knew this neigh
borhood back in the early SOS told the
Rambler that a man named Arms lived
in that house and lady at the Louise
Home asked the Rambler to make a
picture of the Cox house, on the crest
of the Meridian HILL before the park
makers tore it down. The man who
knew this house as the Arms house
told the Rambler that on the west side
of 18th street and directly west of the
Arms house lived Judge Gray. of the
firm of Britain & Gray. in a house
which was later occupied by Capt.
Newbold. that west of those houses was
one In which Mrs. Ainsworth lived,
that few rods south Of the Ainsworth
house was the joaquin Miller cabin. and
that south and west OF the ca bin and
where Henry Whites fine house stands
lived James Dubois.
None of these men with whom the
Rambler talked had any recollection of
the home of Commodore Porter. which
must have stood In the line of 18th
street and about where the standpipe
was set up.
The availability of Meridian Hill as
a park was early appreciated Before
the civil war there was pleasure park
on the tract kept by Henry Welden.
The Rambler resurrected the follow ing
advertisement which appeared in
Washington newspapers in the summer
OF 1850:
Having leased for a term Of years this beau
rifui and romantic spot Meridian Hid l will
1t for the accomnoda iiou of the public o
1he 23d day of June. 1850. For beauty Of
scenery. delightful promenades and so forth. II
il unsurpassed by any in this vicinity The
honse is large and conmodious. having two
large dancing rooms for both ladies' and gen
tlemen. In addition I have erected a large
pavilion for picnic parties.
The house referred to was probably the
Commodore Porter house. Welden's ad-
vertisement continues:
Parties, families and individuals will nnd It
Evening star., 1915-05-02
Meridian Hill Memories.

ef7 HE Transformation of Meridian Hill
into a park prompts the Rambler
to call up certain recollections of this
tract. 1t was not always called Merid
ian Hill. Before the District OF Co
]rmbia was created that part of the
ridge rising above the northern boun-
dary Of the original city of Washing
ton was called Peters Hill, being n
mart of the farm of Robert Peter of
Georgetown, who was one of the origi-
nal proprietors of the site of Washing
ton The origin of the name Meridian
Hill was told by the Rambler a long
time ago, but in view of the changes
that are taking place there it may be
Of interest to many persons that the
story be retold.
When the boundary lines of the District
Evening star., 1915-05-02

stantial barn The property lies mile nerth
of the Presidents S House.
part Of the purchase money will be required
in hand and for the residue a liberal credit will
he given 4 great bargain may he had in this
property. iSigncdi RICHARD SMITH.
Wayland Seminary. an educational
institution for the colored race, stood
q good ,nany years in what is to be
Meridian Hill Park The seminary
was established in 1856. which was
two years earlier shan the establish
ment of Howard University, and 1T was
supported by contributions received by
the American Baptist Home Mission
AIRY Society. In 1N13-14 the seminary
erected a three story brick and man.
sard roof building Meridian hill
The building faced 18th street, which
was then a dirt road. and which. at
that point. is not highly improved to-
day. About the time of the erection
of the Wayland Seminary building the
village of Meridian Hill began to at
tract numerous colored residents, and
strings of frame houses were built
on Columbia avenue. now 18th street !:
on Morris street. which is now Cha pin
street. and on Erie street. which is now
Euclid street. Many of these Meridian