Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-23

in the history of the National Capital.
At the west front of the house where
the land slopes down to Georgia ave-
nue. is a big circle of box bushes. or
box trees that have been trimmed back,
and around the grounds bloom all the
towering shrubs and plants which one
might expect to find in such romantic
place.
In these grounds are certain marks
showing where tents Stood villa"
Van Zandt Cox. who in 1904 wrote
biography of Matthew Gauit Emery
and who besides that has made numer-
ous important contributions to the
written history of the District of CO.
lumbia. has said:
During the first year of the war Mr.. tinefs
lived at Emery Place Rrightwood, in the north
ern suburb Of Washington. \ portion of his
country property. which adjoined fort SleFphs,
injured 10 the amount OF several ..ous sna
dollars before and during the engagement there
of July II and il, 1864. but no 'hih' WAS t n
presented for damages, Mr. Emery saving INA
if the soldiers were made comfor'aple 10y his
loss he was amply repaid. Early in the war he
gave up his Brightwood home 10 the use OF the
officers of the Union army. heins ,he ne m,e"eS.
point of land in that part OF the bls'ricl II
was made a signal station and many were the
messages transmitted between II anu 'he uoi'.
Emery Place by the soldiers, shown py arpres
sions and raised plateau> of earth used for the
flooring of tents. are stu Nlsihie anu are pre-
served with patriotic pride
Perhaps the DISTINGUISHING feature
of the place. and certainly one of its
DISTINGUISHING features, is the splendid
grove of oak trees covering the lana
about the house. These trees are Old
and the Rambler believes that bright,
wood owes its name to TINS grove OF
~ 40
field of fire of the fortihcatlons Oh
Washington was cut away. and such
woods as stood in the rear OF the lorti-
fed lines made a pleasing contrast
to the great area OF bare or sunny
land in front of the lines.
Growing such commanding sum
nit. the Emery grove was a very
prominent feature of the landscape and
was visible for miles from every a.
rection. In early spring, Wheh the
foliage was bright green, and IN that
other season when the leaves were
autumn tinted this grove was patch
of brightness. Some one. probably a
soldier in some distant camp or tort
spoke of this grove as a bright wood
or as "yonder bright woods. The APP
propriateness of the name caused II 70
catch mems fancy and soon many OF
the troops were calling the grove OF
oaks on the signal station hill on the
9TH street pike "Brightwood.
The house which the Rambler has
been describing was the suburban home
of Matthew Gault Emery. a man who
from about 1892 up to the time of his
death in this city, October II, 1901. was
known to all Neutrality-suspicious. and
whose memory is held in profound re-
spect by the people of the capital to-
day. He was the last mayor of Wash
ington city. That, of course, is a mat
ter of distinction. but Mr.. Emery had
become one of the foremost citizens OF
the District long before being chosen
for the Office of mayor. The terri
toria1 form of government which had
for some time been under consideration
was finally adopted by congressional
enactment during his term of office, and
after his retirement from the mayor
atty Mr.. Emery continued to be lead
ing citizen. On the announcement OF