davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

rows of modern, brick dwellings. and
the street is smoothly paved with as
phalt and shaded by large trees The
frame houses high up the terrace tell
of the time when G street was a dirt
roadway and crossed hill between 9th
and 10th streets. These deep cuts in
the older sections of the city, showing
big changes in the grade of streets. al
of the work of Alexander r. Shepherd.
the board of public works and the
stormy period of 1S71-1S74, when the
capital of the United States was being
way to becoming one of the wonder
cities of the world.
From the spot where Alexander r.
Shepherd came into the world the Ram
bier Travelled to Rock Creek cemetery.
There he read the brief and poignant
facts carved on hundreds of tombs and
saw the names of men and women he
knew well and who seemed to stand
before him as memory dwelt upon
them. Some men do not understand it.
but there is a luxurious sense of COM
fort in the reverential reveries which
overcome the mind in such place. The
tombstone is a powerful sermon and
the strongest argument for noble lfv-
ing. 1t makes one feel that good
thoughts are the only thoughts worth
thinking 1t makes vanity and selfish
ness seem small
Finally the Rambler came upon a
vault in beautiful situation. The
grass was green. flowers bloomed there
and on numberless graves about.
Thrush sang in the denser shrubbery
and robins whstled and trotted across
the lawns Over the top of the granite
vault was the name Alexander r.
Shepherd" and on the bronze door the
dates "IS35-1902 Two massive cas-
kets rest within and the interior was
window the color tones of which were
blue and yellow. In that window was
the holy legend. wreathed in morning
glory vines and bloom, Let Not Your
Heart Be Troubled
The Rambler roamed among the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

IN HE Rambler recently wrote of
Bleak House, the summer home
of Alexander r. Shepherd,
q which stands on high ground
planted with old spruce trees and crisis
crossed with new streets off the west
side of Georgia avenue and northwest
of the Walter Reed Hospital. In the
course of that article the Rambler re-
called at some length. though neces-
sarily imperfectly and inadequately,
the great public service which Shep-
herd rendered the capital of the United
States. and briefly touched on num-
Der of the more conspicuous events of
the territorial form of government
which was ordered by Congress for
the District of Columbia in February.
1871. and which was superseded by
the commission form of government
in June, 1874.
In that article the Rambler said:
Gov. Shepherd was born January 81.
1895. and the work which he performed
for the uplift of Washington was done
from his thirty-sixth to his thirty
ninth year. He was Dorn in COM
Portable frame house that stood on the
south side OF G street between 9Th
and 10th streets southwest. the site
being now occupied by No. 926 G
street. 1t was a section of the city in
which many prominent people lived.
and the homes of the neighborhood
were among the fine ones of Washing
ton. Gov. Shepherds father was Alex
ander Shepherd, who was long engaged
in the wood and Timber business on
the river front near the foot Of G
street southwest, ard later his wood
and lumber yard was on the south
side Of Maryland avenue between 18th
and 18th streets"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11
sNh Che @arnb l S. Il

knew and esteemed Gov and Mrs Shep-
herd were blessed with number Of chill
dren, of whom seven. four daughters and
three sons. are living. The sons resemble
Gov. Shepherd and are men of fine stature
and physique. The daughters are Mrs
E. A Quintard of this city, Mrs. w. P
Brodie Of this city. Mrs. S. D. Merchant
of New York and Mrs Sidney Wagner OF
Tulsa. Okla. Mr.. Brodie is a mineralo-
gist. mining and civil engineer. eminent
in his professions and nearly always in
the field.
One son of Gov. Shepherd is Alexander
r. Shepherd, late of Batopilas. Mex. and
now residing in California He has three
children, the oldest being Alexander r
Shepherd (3d), jr. Another son of Gov.
Shepherd is Grant Shepherd, who is mar
ried and lives at Rush. Ark. The third
son is John Comes Shepherd, married
and who also lives at Rush. Ark. The
three sons of Gov. Shepherd have been en-
gagged in mining since their boyhood.
Mrs Quintard has four children. three
of whom live in Washington. The names
of these grandchildren of Gov. Shepherd
are E. A. Quintard. Alexander Quintard
Miss Dorothy Quintard and Miss Alexina
Quintard. Mrs. Brodie has one child
Mrs w. Sinkler Manning.
The Rambler has made in his previous
sketch mention of two stirring events ir
the history of that period which has come
to be called the Shepherd regime" These
were the tearing down Of the Northern
Liberty market. which stood on what
afterward became Mount Vernon Square,
now the site of the Washington Public
Library. and the tearing up of the railroad
tracks which ran from the Baltimore and
Ohio station. down Indiana avenue to Isl
street, along LIST street to Maryland ave
nue. and thence to the Long bridge.
To refresh his memory on the tearing
down of the market house the Rambler
turned to The Evening Star of Wednes-
follows:
The board of public works received informa
ton a day or two since which led them to
believe that the parties opposed to the removal
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

STREET improvements being for the benefit of the
whole community by improving the sanitary
value of property. the convenience Of private
persons and corpora tons have necessarily had
changes of grade which were clearly for the
benefit Of vast majority of the citizens Of
Washington now and in the future
Among the streets the grade Of which IL was
necessary to change in accordance with this
general plan were First street west from Indi
ana avenue to Maryland avenue, and Maryland
avenue from First street to the Long Bridge.
Along these streets and avenues Is the route of
the Washington and Alexandria Railroad Com
pany. which has now by lease passed under
troll Of the Baltimore and Potomac road. Some
time ago the grade of Maryland from
at the time the track that portion
lowered raised in like manner.
lett & Williams for the remainder Of the street
and to d. X. Smith for First street but the
work progressed slowly owing to the fact that
the track was not removed by the railroad COM
pany.
In view of the conditions thus out
lined Mr.. Shepherd, October 1, sent the
following letter to Col. o. e. Babcock,
superintendent of public buildings and
grounds
The condition of LIST street west from Indiana
avenue TO Maryland avenue is such as to injure
the appearance of the Capitol grounds and de-
stroy the street FOR travel owing TO the i'm
perfect grade and to the railroad track which
is SO laid as to be an obstruction to travel. 1t
is the intention and wish Of this board to
rect these evils by paving the street. as well
as MARYLAND avenue, and to remove the tracks
for the purpose of adjusting the grade. reauir
ing the company owning such tracks to replace
the present rails with such used by
street railroads. which form no impeachment to
travel As the removal of street INSTRUCTIONS
and the custody Of the Capitol grounds in
your charge, l write TO ask that you give this
board your sanction and authority for this
work and furnish such sugges lions may
cur to you in connection herewith. We should
like to begin this work by the 18th instant if
you concur.
The Rambler has seen the reply of
Col. Babcock, and which follows:
The improvements you propose in my opin-
ion very desirable and meet my entire approval.
When this improvement is made it would be
best TO, il possible, remove the railroad track
entirely, but If this cannot be done the company
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

should in my opinion he required to lay a street
car track and pave closely to 1t with wood or
stone.
Following this correspondence Shop
herd wrote to ]. N Du Barry. vice
president and general manager of the
Baltimore and Potomac road, inclosing
a copy of Babcocks letter and request
ing appropriate action. There was some
delay, and the contractors on the LIST
street section. desiring to proceed and
the railroad tracks being below grade,
they began to dump dirt over them.
A railroad gang came on the scene and
proceeded to shovel off the dirt as
fast as the contractors men could
dump 1t on. Fighting was imminent.
when Shepherd ordered suspension OF
the work. Later he sent this notice to
the contractor:
You are hereby directed to complete
without delay the improvement of the
streets under your charge and remove
any and all distractions. as the hail
road companies have been notified over
form their tracks to the altered grade
as furnished"
There was more delay, but on the
evening of November is, at o'clock.
the contractor set to work four gangs
of laborers, each gang fifty men strong.
Maj Richards held the police reserves
in readiness for instant service. One
gang began work on LIST street at the
intersection of Indiana avenue. An
other went to work at the intersection
of LIST street and Maryland avenue: an
other began work at the point where
the bridge on Maryland avenue crossed
the old canal. and another gang started
the work of taking up the railroad on
Maryland avenue at Al street.
There were rumors of the formation
of railroad gangs to relay the tracks
as fast as they could be torn up. but
the work was finished at o'clock In
the morning, and the steam railroad
tracks were never again laid down on
LIST street and across the front of the
Capitol grounds.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

her and drove her ashore in flames. Finding
the yaruns sinking, her into the bank.
lei go her anchors and tied up TO the trees.
During all this time the guns actively
al work Gripping the Morgan. making feeble
efforts TO get upstream. This fire was kept
up until the water over the gun tracks.
when I turned my attention TO getting the
wounded and crew out of the vessel. The
Oneida. Capt. Lee. seeing the condition Of the
ysruns had rushed To her assistance, but
waved her on. and the Morgan surrendered to
her. the vessel in flames.
Il have always considered it some
thing of a coincidence" continued Ad-
miral Watson. that the vessel which
was the chief assailant of the Varuna
was commanded by Lieut.. Beverly Ken
non, whose home was Tudor place. here
in Georgetown. now occupied by his
descendants"
was this the engagement in which
Admiral Farragut is pictured as stand
ing in the rigging issuing orders. at
the time you dashed him there?" was
asked.
NO" replied Admiral Watson, that
was during less decisive engagements
between our fleet and the Confederate
forts and vessels at Mobile bay. The
picturesQueness OF that engagement
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

Beverly Kennon. an ex-navaI officer This YES
sci raked us along the port gangway, killing
four and wounding nine of the crew. butting
the Varuna on the quarter and again the
starbsard side. ! managed to get three eight
inch shells into her abaft her armor. also
she dropped out of action, partially disabled.
While still engaged with her. another rebel
stesmcr. ironclad. with q PROV under water,
struck us in the port gangway. doing consider
able damage. Our shot glancng from her bow,
she backed OF for another blow and struck
again in the same place. crushing in the side
but by going ahead fast the conclusion drew
her bow around. and able with the port
guns 10 give her. while close alongside, i've
eight-inch shells abaft her armor. This settled
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

killdeer taken in Texas contained more
than 800 larva A ficker's stomach held
twenty-eight big grubs. A nighthawks
stomach contained thirtyfour May bee
ties. the adult form of the white grub. A
New York nighthawk had eaten twenty-
four cloverleaf weevils and 357 ants,
and another nighthawk. $40 grasshop-
pers, hftytwo bugs, three beetles, two
wasps and a spider. A big-tailed
grackle taken in Texas had eaten in
one meal about 100 cotton boil weevils
besides other insects. ring-neck
pheasant, a bird which the state Of
New York is taking great interest in
propagating, showed upon examination
of the crop that il contained 5000 seeds
of chickweed and a dandelion head
More than 1900 seeds have been found
in single ducks stomach taken in
Louisiana.
The investigation by the United
states biological survey and the biology
zeal and agricultural bureaus of the va.
rious states leave no room for doubt
that birds play an important relation
to agricultural interests, though there
often seems a tendency to dwell on the
harm that they do rather than the
good. Competent investigation has
shown that even the much despised
English sparrow has its part to per-
form in protecting the agricultural in
terests of the United States. and the
bureau of the biological survey has
given great deal of attention to this
much abused bird. 1t has collected them
from all parts Of the United States and
made an examination of 1000 stomachs,
the results showing that during the
colder half of the year the food of these
birds consists almost entirely of seeds
of weeds.
1t has been estimated by entomoI-
ogists that the annual loss caused in
the United States by insects is $780,
100000 and that were ii not for birds
the loss would be much greater. Care
full students have said that without the
aid of our feathered friends successful
agriculture would be impossible. The
amount of weed seed disposed of by
birds, in their depleted numbers, is
impressive. and everybody knows that
the problem of weed destruction is very
important to agricultural interests.
+
There is strange human prejudice
against all owls and hawks, whereas
there are scores of species of hawks
and owls in the United States, and
only three or four OF them do more
harm than good. Most of our birds Of
prey are of beneficial habits of life. A
number of states have passed laws pro-
viding for the payment Of bounties ON
hawks and owls. One of those states
was Pennsylvania. Thousands of the
birds we're killed and then the farm
ers set up the cry that weasels. rats,
mice and other injurious rodents were
increasing with remarkable rapidfty
and that they were doing great dam
age in the fields and in the poultry
yards. Pennsylvania repealed the law,
but it required a long time to re-es-
tablish the balance between hawks and
owls and the rodents on which they
in this regard has been
the experience Of number Of other
states.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

promise that I should go, too and l am
happy that this was permitted me.
when the National Museum asked
me for some representative memento
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

the Vna Flag the Eighth Army Corps Under Gen. LaWon the
u PhpnesBnne Flag Into Possession of
StoWf Famous General
Which Battles
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

of Gen. Lawton, l gave the most val.
liable tangible memento l possessed.
that war-worn battle flag, which tells
so vivid story
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

II was to make a pilgrimage to the
birthhouse, or perhaps the site OF that
historic house. that the Rambler set
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-11

should in my opinion he required to lay a stree
car track and pave closely to 1t with wood 0
stone.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-19
WASHINGTON PARK M. E.
 CHURCH MEN TO HAVE
 ANNUAL FEAST TUESDAY

The Get-Together club of the Wash sington Park M E. church will hold the eighth annual banquet at the church, Noble and Barnum avenues Tuesday evening of next week
 Hon. Homer s. Cummings of Stam- ford will speak on Patriotism and Washington Hon. Charles D. Burnes, secretary of state, will speak on Patriotism and the State'' NIT. Burnes formerly resided in Bridgeport and his first visit to the mems club is looked forward with pleasure.
 Ilr. Wallace Finch, one of the Chau- tauqua speakers at the Casino this week, will be the final speaker of the evening. pr. Finch is one of the best known men in the Methodist church. The committee feels that in the seIec- ton of these three men very inter- esting program should result. Pre- ceding the banquet, and at 6:45, Ar win Hall will give an organ recital in the church. The ladies of the church will provide a. full course tur- key dinner, and music during the ban Quet will be furnished by the HutzeI String Trio. Tables will be set for 200 men. There remain but 35 unsold tickets. Those wishing to be present should phone the secretary, George l.. Eaton, imm ediately
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-19
Thief Tears Out
 Phone Coin Box

After learning the location of the telephone booth from the bartender at Dave Cotter's cafe at HAS Main street at 9:3O this morning, g. stranger of whom the police have a good descrip- ton, entered the booth and unscrew- ed the telephone and money box from the pay station and left the saloon with the iron box concealed under a heavy overcoat.
 Investigation showed that the wires had been cut and the money box uIt- screwed from the wall with screw driver. There was probably $4.50 in the box The stranger entered the booth at 9:3o and at $40 the discov- cry was made and reported to the police.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-19
CHAMBER OF DEPUTIES
 PRAISES GREEK KING

Athens. Feb. 1s-The officials of the chamber of deputies, during an audience with King Constantine this morning, comp1imented the King on the fact that acting under powers conferred on him by the constitution, he had saved the country at a most critical juncture from the horrors of war which had overtaken other small states. They expressed the hope that he would continue to work for the preservation of the resources of the nation so that they might be used for the best interests of the nation, and thus fulfill the wishes of all those whom the Greek parliament repre- sents. The King returned his thanks for the Laudatory expressions which had been addressed to him.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-19
ROWLAND DRY GOODS co.
EXPERT WILL MAKE SURVEY
 OF FAIRFIELD COUNTY FARMS

The share which Bridgeport will take in the movement for the deve1- opment of Fairfield county, which has already received the support of the organized business interests of Nor walk, Stamford, Danbury and several smaller communities in the county, will be discussed next Monday even ing at dinner to be held in The Stratfield hotcl. This dinner will be attended by 30 members of the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce, who believe that the time has come for or ganizing all forces of the county in a united effort to make this section of Connecticut the most prosperous and progressive in the state. It is recog- nized that the progress of Fairfield county is a necessary part of the larger movement now rapidly gaining headway in New England
 It is obvious that such a movement can accomplish much for Fairfield County, according to a statement is- sued by The Chamber of Commerce.
 Fairfield County fortunately lies in a particularly fine strategic position for the launching of a successful forward movement for betterment and devel- opment," says the statement. It is an important entrance to the out of doors for New York, which seems destined to become the richest as well as the largest city in the world. Mil lions of dollars have already been invested by New Workers in country estates and farms, and millions more will continue to be spent by them for such lands during the next few years. Fairfield county, however, is in con stant competition with all other sec tions at the same distance from New York, and the prosp "ctive purchaser of real estate is naturally drawn to those regions that are best advertis- ed, and that bring him the best re- turn for his money in social advan- tages and community conveniences. Then again as the principal gateway to the New England summer resorts for the tourists and automobiles, strangers in increasing thousands will pass through it's picturesque villa ges and rural districts. Practically no effort is now being made to interest permanently these visitors in it's var jed attractions and advantages.
 There are thousands of acres of land scattered over the country lying idle and unproductive, while nearby markets are claznoring for the produce that could readily be raised on these
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-19

unused farms. This great agricultural plant with its large investment of cap itaI and the fund of human resources already expended in it's development, does not as a whole bring in mo0ey enough to pay the taxes. Does this speak well for proverbial New Hng- land thrift, or Yankee ability to make every dollar count? At the preseut time the bulk of the farm products consumed by the people of the cities in the county are brought from out side the county, adding materially to the cost of living, and having In oon-
 5"For it's best development the fcoun- try needs better means of intercon- nunicat1on, an adequate system or improved highways to connect up with the trunk system, increased transportation facilities, more efficient marketing conditions. and above all a better understanding of the closer relation and interdependence of town and country today. We are facing a new economic era. The old meth ods. and the old systems are no longer effective. Serious social problems are appearing in our sky which may again darken and obscure the sun of in dustrial prosperity which now shines upon us. The abnormal growth of Bridgeport, the overshadowing effect of New York influences, the great in Aux of new citizens to our borders, ana the constant pull 70 the large GU ies on the small towns, are presenting complex questions that will have to be properly answered, if our people are to be made happy and prosper ous. How can we best rebuild our rural centers, and readjust our county affairs to meet these changed needs2
 ITO properly answer these qucs- tions, the first work must be to learn what the county possesses in the way of resources in all directions before 1t will be in a position to determine what might reasonably be accomplished. It therefore is proposed to employ competent expert to make a general survey of the situation and conditions in tho county, with especial reference to the life, activities and possibilities of rural development in the county and the relation of these sections to our urban welfare Its findings will be embo bodied in a preliminary report with suitable recommendation and suggestions for practical betterment based on the accurate first hand fnfor- nation thus acquired.''
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-02-19
Auto Tire Throws
 Fragment of Rock
 Through Plate Glass

An automobile passing D. M. Read s Idepartnent store, at Main street and Fairfield avenue. about 3 o'clock this morning, ran over sharp pointed trap rock and as the rear wheel passed over the rock the latter went hurling ! through the air and crashed through the large plate glass of a window on the Main street side of the store.
 It is thought the rock was one of several left in the roadway by labor CTS engaged in digging trench at that intersection of streets where cleo tric conduits were being laid under ground
 The name of the owner or driver of sthe car is unknown to the police