Evening star., 1918-01-20
yetown Hotels Were Quite Popular the Old Days. Says he Rah

Light and Chambcrsburr Franklin Repository wnt
insert the above six times and send their nc.
counts to the above signed for settlement.
1t was at the Union Hotel in George
town. as the Rambler has previously
mentioned that Lewis Johnson, who be-
came one OF the most prominent OF WASH
fngton men, began his career in the DIS
trict. He came up from his birthplace In
ST. Marys county. Nd. and secured em-
ployment as the clerk. or II may have
been as one of the clerks, at the Union.
1t was after this experience that he en-
gagged himself as clerk with the
Woodward. and from that position he
went into trade for himself. opening tho
little snuff and fancy goods store at the
northwest corner Of PENNSYLVANIA avenue
and 18th street. For n long time that lit
tie shop was kept by Mr.. Johnson and
Peter Lanarin Duport. whose daughter
Anna, beautiful and intellectual woman.
Mr.. johnson married. In the matter OF
this little store. the Rambler finds among
his notes the following advertisement.
which long ago he took out of the Ma
tional Intellgencer of April, 1926:
''New-fashioned artificial curls:-Thc sob.
scriber has received consignment OF 4 case OF
new-fashioned French artificial enris. very
beautiful and convenient article for sale very
low at the snun and Fancy Goods Store, Cor
ner Of 18th ST. and fenna Ave. LEWIS JOSH
1t was some time in 1920 that Browns
long career. 1t had been a hotel for q
good many years before that date. II no
doubt started at about the time OF the
removal of the seat OF government 70
named Queen, and as the Rambler re-
members the name 1t was NicholAs
Queen, a member of one OF the old Mary
land and District families. Large tracts
of land northeast of the city were OBJ
tanned under original patents from the
proprietary government of Maryland by
this family. Queens Chapel was one
Of the Catholic family chapels in this
neighborhood. That was the genesis OF
the present Queens Chapel and the rea-
son for that old road whose name -
still preserved-the Queens Chapel road
Some of the Queens are living In Wash
ington and are among the Rambler's old
est friends.
It would seem that Nicholas Queen put
in front of his hotel the effigy Of an In
dian maid, something like tho cigar In
dians of later days. and either he called
the hotel, or it came to be popularity
called because of the sign. THE Indian
Queen Hotel" One Of the early proprie-
tors in succession to Nicholas Queen was
John Davis. and part OF the history of
the hotel may be cleaned from the fol-
lowing advertisement which appeared IN
November, 1920:
Indian Queen Hotel. washington:-The un.
dersigned having taken the hotel on Penna.
in the occupancy Of Mr.. John Davis by the name
for such share Of their favor his arrange
ments may merit. Having been for the best
years Of my life eneaged IN business OF this
description, fatter myself that shall be able
to give general satisfaction. OF this the public
may rest assured: that no pains will be spared
to accommodate customers, travellers and others
nor any care expense omitted in procuring
the best Of viands, liquors and forage with good
beds and stabiing. JESSE BROWN"
One of the merchants who had his shop
, under the Indian Queen in those remote
days was Thomas Bracchus. tailor, who
kept on hand "a fine assortment of super-
fine cloths, Cassimeres and Vestings to-
gether with a few Frock and Surtout
Coats. plaid cloaks. superfine cloth and
Cashmere Pantaloons. Waistcoats. Flan-
: mel Jackets and Drawers to accommo-
date gentlemen travelling who cannot
wait to have such garments made up"