davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

line of birds to widen considerably, so
doubtless there were many uncounted
among them. A few months later the
crows deserted this roost and returned
to the Woodbridge roost, where other
crows Joined the original settlers. the
whole population amounting to $4,000.
Counting these birds would be very
confusing to novice. ornithologists
are familiar with two methods by
means OF which they are able to count
large numbers. BY one method the
birds are counted in the evening as
they fly toward the roost In distinct
where from three to six afr paths
chosen. The other method Is to wait
until all the birds have congregated
for the night and then to choose linn
tied area of the roost count the birds
gathered there and estimate from this
the approximate total.
person new in computing the pop
ulation of a crow roost is very prone
birds crowding the sky quite over
whelm one not accustomed to the
sight An estimate at best is not en-
tirely satisfactory, because birds. II
overtaken by darkness. VIII Invariably
IL the weather changes suddenly 1t will
affect their fight, and there are hue
tuations every day in their numbers
which occur, but cannot be attributed
to any definite cause. The results OBJ
tanned by several different observers
have been compared and show widely
different estimates.
Crows manage the problem of living
during spring, summer and fall excel
lentIy. 1t is when wintry blasts sweep
over the face of the earth and food IL
scarce that life is not a happy one, A
pair may hunt together faithfully all
day for a bit of .nourishing food. only
to be half satisfied with . cast-on
bone, a few forgotten corn kernels or
what happens to be left OF hsh Rag
weed. poison ivy, poison sumac and
pokeberry are about all that stand be-
tween The birds ana sta asich Ia ms
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25
Well Up.

~ EN- LEONARD WOOD said, apropos
VI of a military question:
These men, in their desire to seem
thoroughly well up in the latest mill
tary science. remind me of the green
horn servant.
This servant, though really a green
horn, took job under the pretense OF
being very highly trained. Her mis-
tress said to her the first day:
81 suppose, Jane. you can NIL the
lamps?'
"'Oh, yes, ma'am. Yes, indeed. ma'amr
Jane answered. And which would "
ruther !! filled EN- with--gas or eiec-
tricity?"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

giant scar, but it will require time, and
the elm at the northeast corner of La
fayette Square is not a young tree.
That tree received its great hurt in the
July storm three years ago. But that
was not the only great affiiction that
has befallen it. 1t was grievously in
jured in A fierce storm in 1851. 1t was
given over as lost. Maher, whose
first name the Rambler has forgotten,
was the public gardner. He was in
immediate charge of the grounds of the
Capitol. the White House and of such
of the public squares as had then been
set out in trees and shrubs, which were
very few. Maher looked at the wound
ed elm, shook his head and gave il as
his professional opinion that the elm
was as good. or bad, as dead tree.
Capt. William Easily was then COM
missioner of public buildings, and the
public parks were under his supervi-
sion. He would not give up the tree.
Tree surgery was not much practiced
in those days; tree butchery was then
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

timore. Robert Brent continued to live
al the Mansion House until after his
wife's death and that of his father-in-
law. who made him one of his execu-
tors
From January, 1891. until May. 1902.
the territory of Columbia and the city
of Washington were under the super
intendence of the board of commission
ers appointed by President Washington.
the members of the board being Thorn
a Johnson and Daniel Carroll of Mary
land and DR.. David Stuart of Virginia.
On May 3. 1902, Congress approved an
act Incorporating the city of Washing
ton. under the terms of which the
President of the United States was to
appoint the mayor. whose term of office
was to be one year. while the board of
aldermen and the common council were
to be elected by the qualified voters.
Robert Brent was appointed mayor by
President Jefferson on June /, 1902.
and was reappointed annually until an
act of Congress was passed and APP
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25
THE A

them on toward home. They always
show a decided preference for the gen.
eral roost. and. when they can. will shun
the local roosts.
AS they assemble the clamor of their
tongues Is deafening. Din and confusion
seem to reign I'm this corvine colony. Some
Of the notes sound soft, full-throated and
musical others discordant and distinctly
unpleasant to the human ear. while 9TH
ers irritate in the extreme by their harsh.
metallic quality Mr.. Hanback, MAIN
tains that he has heard the cries Of crows
that sounded like the rattle of a stick
run rapidly along picket fence: and
Of the cats, and thousands of their notes
challenge description. Their din continues
while daylight lasts. but as darkness ap-
proaches there H. perceptible diminution
in the noise. and as it deepens even the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

legally assessed and due on personal property
when legally required to pay the same. shall be
entitled to vote at any election for mayor or
members of the two boards.
Robert Brent's term, or terms. as
mayor covered the period between June
1. 1902, and the second Monday of June.
1912. In his ten terms as mayor he was
appointed seven times by President
Jefferson and three times by President
Madison. In addition to being repeat
edl appointed mayor of Washington
he was several times appointed a
justice of the peace of the Dis
trict of Columbia between 1901 and
1917. and was judge of the Orphans
Court of the District Of Columbia from
April IS. 1906. to August %, 1919: He
was also paymaster general of the
army from July /, 1908, to August rs.
1919, He was a member of the school
board and was the first president of the
Patriotic Bank.
The Rambler has found several refer
ences to Robert Brent in Allen G.
Clark's thorough historical work en-
titled "Greenleaf and Law in the Fed
eral City" In one chapter Of that book.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

more persistent of vociferous birds gradu-
ally grow silent,
A curious and we'll established custom
observed in conjunction with large crow
roosts is the after-hght of reconnoiter-
ing party When the multitudes of crows
seem fairly well settled for the night
flocks comprising possibly hundred
birds each rise from their perches and
return for short distance over the very
much thinned lines of flight. One would
fancy that they were on the outlook for
strays or those weaker brothers and sis
ters who had been almost lost in their
struggles against the high wind.
AS growing darkness settles over the
land the cessation of calls comes abb
ruptly. A very restless bird occasion
ally moves about endeavoring to fnd a
more comfortable perch. and now and
then there is the sound of a sleepy
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

the thing. The general attitude toward
trees was that they had no rights
which a man with an AK was bound TO
respect. But Capt. Easily was a friend
of trees. and il ever a tree needed a
friend it was that elm at the northeast
corner of Lafayette Square after the
storm of 1851.
Capt. William Easily was then con-
Quoting the shipyard which bore his
name and also gave name to a point on
the Washington river front-Easbys
point. He sent down to the shipyard
for some riggers and ironworkers and
the split and wrenched tree was belted
with a heavy iron band. The tree lived
and prospered and was long called
Easby's elm
The Rambler has looked for a mark
of that iron band on the tree, but has
not seen it, though knows 1t was put
on and believes ii was not removed.
Perhaps somebody knows whether the
tree bears the mark of the band and
where II is.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

on the subject and estimated that l00,-
900 birds had taken possession of the
roost at that time, and no doubt the
population increased steadily during
the ensuing years.
The Woodbridge roost. near Langdon,
d. c., was used by crows for some time,
but the birds found another roost more
TO their liking. The successor was the
one on which Mr.. Kalmback made OBJ
servations. He noted four lines Of
these birds coming to this roost and
estimated that probably 1900 or 1900
few in each line. which would total
something I'm the neighborhood of 1900
bers were taken into consideration.
The evening that he watched strong
and steady wind was blowing and the
birds Mere flying NJ right angles 10 the
-aIts y ALA tal.=sd The lath OF that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

a hard winter. 1t is no wonder that
many of them grow melancholy and
develop uncanny "caws.
Persons interested in birds have
probably watched the beginning OF the
flight among crows homeward bound
for the night. Mr.. Kalmback was once
an interested observer Of them In a
windstorm. During a high wind they
taking advantage of tree, knoll or rock
anything, in fact. which helps break
the force Of violent wind. Perhaps
at first only pair is to be seen labor
ing. valiantly against a stin gale: BUT
their call rarely goes unanswered. and
one by one other pairs leave the trees
to follow their leaders.
The original flock wings Its way
Joined by additional birds that leave
sheltering pines to follow. From now
on crow parties large and small drop
into line and follow their unmarked
directly to their roost. The long black
line grows longer and broader as the
distance to the roost decreases and
some of the birds are but mere dots
against a skyline.
Sometimes they. are noisy in their
flight. but even when their "caws'' are
silent the tapping of many wings
makes an incessant rustling. The mass
sweeps by: This represents but one
line of flight. In all probability there
are three or four lines making their
way toward the roost from other di-
rections. Those more fortunate in es-
Gaping the hardest course against the
wind fly at good height. slowly and las
lily. Instead Of making a gradual de-
scent from dizzy heights to the roost.
many drop sheer hundred feet or
more. They seem almost to be falling.
but just before they are ready to aiight
they spread capable wings that save
them from what otherwise might be a
disastrous accident.
\
Stiil other birds, having something
Of struggle to make the roost, tack
for miles against the wind. But unless
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

DOPULARITY of the Spot for Birds Is
Observation-Disclosures in Biological
Survey Estimates That One Hundred
Crows Fly to Roost Each Second-Crow
Roosts From Maine to California and From
Washington State to Forida-Curious
Phenomena of the Bird Kingdom-The
Roost at Woodbridge.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

reservations. without right, were used as
freight and switching yards
1T was the southeast corner of Mary
land avenue and 18th street which espe-
cially interested the Rambler. An
apartment house with pebble dash walls
stands there now and the corner of that
building. which is only few years old
perhaps six or eight-is occupied as
a grocery store. Before the apartment
house was built that corner was occu-
pied by a fine old mansion which was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

cav" One is naturally under the
impression that the birds have at last
settled for the night. All about II is
quite dark, and but a meager streak OF
light shows in the western sky. An
observer may be seriously considering
going to his own roost, when, TO MS
amaZement, without outcry and only
the fla piping of countless wings to break
the stiffness, hundreds of birds pass
overhead. Crows in trees near and far
spread their wings and fly away. a
pine wood, only a short distance on.
proves to be their final resting place
for a nights sleep. In a few minutes
all the crows have settled into the
pines for their rest and only a mufned
call or an occasional odd rattle gives
any evidence of their abiding place.
These habits of focking and roosting
have existed for long time. even be-
fore men took it upon themselves to
alter habits and characteristic traits of
birds and animals. The gregarfous in
stinct of the crow is well developed.
and all bird observers have repeatedly
commented upon crow ciannishness.
AS a rule, crows choose roosts situated
within comfortable flying distances OF
streams and bodies of water. Such
vicinities insure better 1000 supply
than waterlesS regions.
Farmers complain emphaticaHy II a
colony of crows appears in their midst.
The birds are claimed to rum ehtife
cornfields. and in sections of the coun-
try where cane is raised they do no
end of damage. During the months OF
winter corn comprises good hair OF
the birds diet 1t is fond of wild ber-
ries and fruit. and crawfish, mollusks
and carrion find favor with the most
epicurean member of the family. They
devour insects, wild birds. sometimes
chicken and frequently rabbits.
Mr. Kalmback deplores the practice
of the ambitious hunter who viii shoot
into crows roosts, regardless OF every
thing but the qualification OF his own
amusement. OF course, when crows are
a serious menace to crops, the priNi-
lege of the gunner cannot be ques-
toned. The farmer is urged to remem-
Der, though, that the crow is vora-
cious consumer of grasshoppers. ana
every authority on the subject knows
that grasshoppers do inestimable harm
to crops.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25
Easby's Elm in Lafayette Square.

1T is stanch and hardy elm that
stands at the northeast corner of
Lafayette Square, its roots touching
the curbing around the green circle in
which stands the monument to Kos
ciuszko. 1t was a desperately wounded
tree, but in spite of its injury and it's
hideous scar it is apparently enjoying
life and a fair degree of health.
When that tree was itself, three big
branches sprung from its trunk. Now
there are but two, and these are secur-
ed together by short heavy chain.
The southeast branch was torn off by
a wicked storm and the life of the tree
was almost despaired Of but Col. Cosby,
then superintendent of public buildings
and grounds, believing that while there
is life there is hope, and having a senti
mental attachment for that venera BILE
and historic tree, called in a tree sur
geon and the wound was bandaged with
cement. The cement filling is painfully
conspicuous, but the brave and gallant
tree laughs at scars even though it has
the southeast side of the tree. is about
three feet wide and extends from the
ground to a point about ten feet high.
1t is vanished over with asphaltum.
and the filling is in four sections. The
joints between the sections are prob
ably filled with asphaltum, for the
Rambler has read these words written
by a tree surgeon: The system of al
ternating a layer of cement with a
layer of asphaltum makes the tree Is
resilient and plia BILE as nature intended
1t should be. solid chunk of cement
iron, and nature didn't give trees iron
trunks"
1t may be that in time the tree will
grow around and will cover up the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

r. KALMBACk of the bio
In logical survey has studied
the crow for several years
SO has thoroughly familiarized
himself with its habits and is inter-
ested in every newly discovered crow
roost He AYERS that the assembling
of thousands OF crows for the purpose
Of roosting, usually close to some
large city. presents one of the most
curious and remarkable phenomena
occurring in the bird kingdom.
Crow roosts, harboring anywhere
from one hundred to tens of thousands
of these birds. are found from Maine
to California and from Washington
state TO Florida. Some of the largest
roosts are in the states of Iowa. Ken
lucky. Missouri. Nebraska, Oklahoma.
Pennsylvania and Virginia.
Crows have won a reputation for
oddly. mystery and mischief Every
school boy and girl forms a melancholy
impression of the raven. which be-
longs to the crow family, through
studying Foes bird of mystery and
DOOM Rostands Chandelier" de-
Iineates clearly the sossipy trouble
breeding character of the saucy black
bird. There are other instances in lit
ersture where the weird cav from
a member OF the crow family seemed
10 foreteil disaster
Mr. kalmback cites "A tale relative
10 the crow which excites sympathy.
Some years ago a crow colony settled
itself in close proximity 10 Newcastle.
on an island in the Delaware river.
This island, appropriated BY the crows,
went by the lame of Pea Patch. and
was simply a few low-lying acres of
ground covered with luxuriant
growth of reeds. Pea Patch was "a
mecca for the crows for miles around,
thai the latter were badly broken and
matted together. The hosts of crows
made an astonishing ciamor when hey
settled themselves for the night. and
ing The damage to corn fields. due
10 their depredations. was almost in
,;ilculsbie
the country had made this reed island
their home. One night "A sudden and
terrible storm overlook them as they
huddled together among the reeds The
fury of the storm abated not one whit
is the night grew. the tide rose stead
fly and almost every crow persisted.
Just why they did not attempt to
make their escape is question. but II
has been said that the unexpectedness
and the force OF the storm frightened
them - immobiiity.
In the morning the shores for miles
were blackened with the bodies OF dead
crows that had been swept from Pea
fatch by wind ard water. For some
time * was believed that Pea Patch
would not be reinhabited by crows and
there was some speculation on THIS
question. but today the island is quite
az d-rsely oopuia.r1 as If Old.
AZ i,aiinback has ascertained that
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

Robert Brent was born on the estate
of his parents, Robert Brent, sr., and
Anne Carroll Brent, a sister of Arch
bishop John Carroll. That estate, called
Woodstock. in Stafford county. Va, was
close to the very old town of Aqua, on
Aqua creek. near its junction with the
Potomac river. The date of Roberts
birth was 1864. Robert Brent, ST.. died
at Woodstock. in 1880. and his widow
then went to live with her only daugh-
ter. who was the wife of George Digges.
whose home was called Green Hill. in
Prince Georges county, Md.
The house at Green Hill is still stand
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

considerably decayed at the time it was
torn down. That corner should be in
teresting to all Westinghouse, for in
the old house that stood there for
century lived the first mayor of the
city of Washington, Robert Brent In
the brick houses that extend eastward
to 18th stFeHfs Shave lived a nundher of
the old ATTIC fanif434 of
w a shin 49, 80
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

r. kALMBACK of the bio
logical survey has studied
the crow for several years.
has thoroughly familiarized
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

still other birds, having something
Of struggle to make the roost. tack
for miles against the wind. But unless
he. grow too weary, instinct drives
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-06-25

in Washington. D. c., March %. 1858. Aged
60 Years.
Harriet Brent. Relict of Robert Young Brent
Died 1865.
Harriet Z. Brent. Died 1897.
Mary Brent. Wife of Theodore Mosher and
Daughter Of Robert Young Brent, Born April
IS. 1925. Died June q. 1892.
William Cottringer Brent Died 1850.
Sarah Hayes Brent. 1882.
Caroline Brent. Died 1889.
Father John Carroll was born at
Upper Marlboro in 1875. The site of
the house has been pointed out to the
Rambler as being close to the court
house. His father was Daniel Carroll,
son of Keane Carroll. and his mother
was Eleanor Darnall, daughter of
Henry Darnall, who lived at the Wood
Yard, a very old settlement off the
road which leads from Washington to
Upper Marlboro. John had several
brothers and sisters. They were Hen
ry. Daniel, Ann, Ellen, Mary and Betsy.
Ann became the wife of Robert Brent
of Maryland. and Ellen became the wife
of William Brent of Aqua. Va.
Tensas gazette., 1916-12-01
Science and Crime.

Science has scored once more In the
detection Of crime. The other day some
workmen excavating at Canarsie. L. l.
dug up human skeleton which gave
evidence Of death by violence. The find
was reported to the police, and though
search was made for means of identif.
cation, nothing was found at first. A
police lieutenant. under the guidance OF
| an expert Of the city standard testing
laboratory, undertook to reconstruct
the face Of the dead man from the
chronological data Of the skull, and
by following certain scientific rules
made Of plastic material a representa-
ton that was later Immediately recog.
nized as the likenes of certain Italian
who disappeared in May, 1914. Subse-
Quently second skeleton was found
on the lot at Carnarsie, which was
Identified by some Of the clothing and
a check in pocket as a companion Of
the one whose bones had first been un-
earthed. From these clews q murder
plot Of the typical Sicilian kind was un-
raveled and arrests were made. 1t Is
expected that convictions will follow.
Thus by the application of strictly SCI
entific methods crime has been brought
to light and is In a fair way to punish
ment. The detective Of the novel has
his counterpart In real ufe.-Washing-
ton Star.
Tensas gazette., 1916-12-01

sports the real thing In high life. He
spent money as though he owned q
newspaper in America, and before long
his creditors were. so numerous that
he couldn't throw a brick without hit
ting three Of them.
Every once in a while, when the
creditors became particularly annoy
ing and oppressive, he called upon
his sister, and she gave him money to
pay his bills, and they had some af-
fecting interviews. The duchess i'm
plored him to brace up, to remember
the honor Of his house, and to live
within his means but the marquis was
quite naughty; he considered her ad-
vice impertinence, and limited that she
ought to feel honored to act as his
treasurer. Finally the duke came to
the conclusion that 1t was high time
for a reform. He failed to see the fun
Of devoting portion of his revenue to
the payment Of the marquis debts, and
told the duchess that 1t must stop,
and she conveyed the information to
her brother, but he thought she was
just joking.
So he went ahead gambling and
drinking and betting, and his credit
ors came down on him again, and his
sister refused to come to his relief.
Then the next thing the festive mar
Quis knew, he was In Jail; and being
in Jail in those days was anything but
a picnic. The Athlete" nobleman found
himself herded in a foul prison with
the lowest felonsv and unless some
body came to his relief 1t was more
than possible he would end his days
there. News Of his condition was
carried to his sister. and once more
this good woman came to his relief.
She settled with his creditors, and he
was released.
For an hour and twenty minutes
after emerging from the pestilential
prison, the marquis was determined
to profit by the lesson he had received.
He was going to bs virtuous and aban-
don the feshpotA But presently he
came to a place where q little game
always was in progresa and he took .
Tensas gazette., 1916-12-01
Breathe Deeply.

Trouble brings on heart conditions
and lung difficulties, it is said, because
there is then lack Of fresh air taken
into the lungs and the breathing is
never deep enough. Therefore to make
it habit to breathe deeply, whether
one feels like 1t or not, is one Of the
best remedies for the difficulty in hand,
whatever 1t may be. Again, not only
must past blessings be inventories, but
hope must be held out which will
give one a goal to work for. No one
man or woman can live without this
aim In life. The joys or favors in hand
must be remembered, to be sure, but
there must also be something ahead in
view or there is a resigned state Of
mind which Is unhealthy.