Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-16
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

1Av AAA ~ AAAN
Some strange things happened in
Washington after the civil war, for
there were odd
Serotor wod.,. characters here.
One of these
Strange Visitor. turned up about
this time fifty years ago. as was shown
by a news item in The Star of January
10, 1866. 1t comprises statement that
was issued to the press by Senator Ben
jamin F. Wade of Ohio:
"wednesday evening last. between
8 and 9 o'clock, a man of unusually
large proportions, dressed in gray
clothes, called at the residence of Hon.
Benjamin F. Wade. on Az street, and
asked to see the senator. He was shown
upstairs by the servant to Mr.. Wade's
room. After being seated he stated
that he was trying to obtain employ
ment in the United States Navy and
asked Mr.. Wade to sign a paper OF
recommendation for him. Senator
Wade refused to do so, saying he did
not know him and advised him to pro-
whom he was known. After this re-
ply the strange visitor. whose physiog-
nomy Mr.. Wade describes as singular
ly malicious and brutal, looked at the
senator with a significant scowl, which
the latter plainly Interpreted as mean
ing mischief. At this juncture of the
interview Mr.. Wade arose. and. step
ping into an adjoining room, armed
himself with loaded pistol and quiet
ly returned. After looking at each
ofh FN vy1 Gil a
began the conversation by saying.
Amt you going to sign my paper"
to which the senator replied an EN-
phatic negative, adding that he had no
to reach a crisis. The stranger arose
to his feet, drawing out bowie knife
about twelve inches long and remark
ing. I suppose you know we are now
alone, sir. in this room He was pro-
ceeding to unsheath his weapon. when
Senator Wade sprang to his feet and,
drawing forth his pistol, placed it with.
in short distance of his head. telling
him to clear out Immediately or he
would shoot him. Taken somewhat by
find his way to the door. followed close
ly by Senator Wade, with his pistol
still in close proximity to his head. The
senator. with true western po1iteness,
saw his visitor down stairs, and. before
reaching the door. quietly informed him
that he had great notion to shoot him,
anyhow. Upon this the stranger de-
parted. During the visit he failed to
produce any papers for signature and
evidently made this mere pretext for
the interview"
The proper treatment of James creek,
which flowed south from the Capitol
east of the Wash
Tnsnection of ington barracks. was
James Greek. for the cd District r for
many years. 1t was malodorous and
unwholesome and of practically no
benefit for the transport of goods In
The Star of January Is. 1866. is a news
story respecting an official inspection
of this so-called waterway:
"On Saturday, Secretary Harlan of
the Interior Department and Messrs.
Ingersoll (chairman), Cobb, Welker.
Mercur. Shanklin and Hart or the
House District committee. accompanied
by Mayor Wallach, Thomas f. Lloyd,
esq, president of the board of alder
men, and Engineer Cluss. went over the
whole line of the proposed canal I'M
rrovement recommended by Mayor
Secretary of the Interior. The party
first visited the arsenal where they
were received by Col. Benton who ac-
companied them along the line OF 'ns
important government Improvement OF
James creek now being carried out SO
successfully under the direction OF
William Wise. esq. From thence they
proceeded to the point at virginia ave
nue. where it is proposed 10 make 1he
connection between the James creek
canal and the city; and. after obtaining
n thorough insight into the important
ends as sanitary measure. and as a
means of transporting governmental
freight to he obtained by this connec-
tion and Improvement. the party pro-
ceeded on a tour of inspection along
the line of the canal and extending
their trim as far as the Georgetown ana
Alexandria canal aaueduct bridse.
..rol Renton gave his opinion very de-
o;d.dIy in favor of the canal improve
ment and connection as being OF great
in,nortance to government in anording
TRANSFORMATION to both the arsenal ana
navy yard thus avoiding the 1edious
and extensive carriage necessary on
government supplies, especially on such
heavy articles of large consumption as
coal iron and stone. now carteo from
Georgetown to those points AS the re-
srIt of their very thorough 1nVestlga-
ZION occupying the larger portion of
the dav the committee came TO the
unanimous conclusion to favor the pas
50 pe of a measure for carrying OUT tne
canal improvement on the piah iIi".-
o.,
sion of engineers. the cost 10 pc oorhe
Jointly by the city and the government.
THE members of the District COM
n,ittee made very favorable impress
sion on the minds of all with whom
they came IN contact as clear-headed.
energetic business men. we'll quallhed
to deal with the important measures IN
relation to District affairs likely to
come before them. They naturally eN-
meet the District to do its share in the
desired work of improvement but eX-
press themselves as convinced that the
government has an important share.
also. to shoulder under its relation TO
the District.
THE important street improvements
carried out by the city, as in the case
of the handsome pavements on
street F. street, etc. etc. ELECTED much
complimentary remark from them, and
it is evident to us that any such marks
Of disposition by the city to carry out
permanent and desirable improvements
will receive prompt recognition and
corporation at the hands of Congress.
"At all events, the thanks of the COM
muntty are due to Secretary Harlan and
the House committee for the interest In
District affairs manifested by this visit
of careful, personal inspection. The
people of the District ask nothing at
the hands of Congress but legislation
founded on intelligent knowledge of
the requirements to be met. and the
proper apportionment of burdens upon
the government and the District, re-