The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-04-11
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
Information Bureau
FREDERIC ,. HAsKIN. Direcanr.
Washington. ID. @.
THE PASSING OF WASHINGTON
LANDMARKS

! Webster's old home in this city is be-
ing torn down. Next month, when
] the Chamber of Commerce of the
United States holds its annual meet
/ ing here, the place where Webster
lived will be barren ground ready for
the foundaG ton stone of the national
| headquarters of the chamber.
After that, where the stately red
! brick mansion stood for so many
years. a Greek temple of commerce
will Immediately shoot up. and an
other of Washington's landmarks will
| be remembered only by a wooden
tablet stating that Daniel Webster
once lived in a residence on that site
The old, picturesque side of Wash
ington is gradually vanishing. Homes
where the nations heroes lived and
where history was made are being
torn down every year to make room
for office buildings. clubs, and hotels.
Unfortunately for their security. most
of the famous homes of early Wash
ington were built in what has become
branch of the downtown district.
The neighborhood is not fashionable
enough to lure the wealthy to bid
for the historic mansions. and unless
some patriotic society steps in to safe
them the buildings go on the real
estate market along with less romantic
property.
The home of francis Scott Key.
author of The Star 'Spangled Ban
ner," was allowed to pass in this way,
buildings the Key house was regularly
visited by tourists
Not ali of the picturesque old homes
have been demolished, it is true. Some
have been remodeIed and now serve
modern uses The Octagon House.
where Dolly Madison gave some of her
most brilliant drawing rooms" after
the White House burned in 1874, is
now the home of several artist or
CARNATIONS. Dolly Madison's home
nj T.1f Square haRnr1a
Cosmos club
Some historic houses have been
converted into apartment buildings.
offices and studios The ballroom of
society gathered to dance the quad
rifle and waltz is now a studio fire.
quented by chiffon clad Greek
Old Homes for Sale.
But these homes that have been
spared so far are not necessarily TO
be preserved as permanent historic
monuments. Many OF them are for
sale Investors and builders come to
study the broad lots on which they
stand, ignoring the mural decorations
of the bathrooms, the sun parlors and
the colonial doorways. The old houses
have served several generations and
their space is needed
The Webster mansion, once regard
ed as Wa<hington's most complete
and elegant home. is being torn down
rapidly The garden wall with its
stone dog over the high gate is gone
The lockwood tree beneath which
Webster used to sit and read or write
moral grounds. For years it has been
known as Webster's tree, and it is
still TO be associated with him
Thru the low windows with their
panes of glass now gone the half
wrecked drawing rooms and halls of
Inc mansion attract the gaze of the
passeroy- Washington is recalling lit
ne stories about Daniel Webster and
the old Corcoran place. as the house
is generally known.
1t is remembered that when Web
ster. came TO Washington to be secre-
tar of state under President Harrison
his friends and admirers wished to
present him with money to buy this
home on Lafayette Square. Webster
lived in it during his term of office
but historians say he finally decided to
purchase a home in Massachusetts
with the fund raised for him.
Webster always remained a farmer,
tree planter. and country gentleman.
Even Washington. with its generous
lawns and magnificent distances, was
too much of city for him. He was
not at all intrigued by the distinction
of owning one of the capitals show
places-a residence facing the White
House across Lafayette Square, a place
that was considered by some to be
even more desirably located than the
executive mansion. There was some
talk at one time of building a new
presidential RESIDENCE on the site of
this home offered to Webster. Yet
Webster refused the responsibility of
ishment- He preferred his farm lands
at Marshfield. in Massachusetts,.
Webster the Gourmet. \
The tradition of Daniel Webster.
the great orator, is so firmly implanted
in the American mind that his other
An interesting side of the man which
society remembered long
after he was gone was that he vas an
epicure of distinction.
He would 60 mark citing regularly |
himself to be sure Of having the best
Of everything on his table. He was
always attended. however, by a SER
want to carry the basket and bundles.
The excellence of Webster'S dinners |
was known all over the city and in I
vitations to dine with the secretary |
Of state were accepted eagerly
When Lord Ashburton came to |
this country to arrange the famous |
Ashburton treaty between England |
and the United States, he and Web |
ster met often at the dinner table /
the home placed at his disposal, |
served elaborate European dishes /
Webster in his turn offered the deli |
"a cies of the states prepared by Mon /
ca. a colored cook said to have been 1
4 genius in her line.
One historian says that Maine !
salmon. Massa chusetts mackerel, New /
Jersey oysters, Florida shad. Ken
lucky beef. West Virginia mutton, Illi- !
nois prairie chickens. Virginia terra
pin. Maryland crabs. Delaware can
vas backs, and South Carolina rice
birds were served by Monica and 4
served in a style that made the banker
diplomat admit their superiority TO
he Partisan dishes he had hitherto
Webster's Famous Punch.
It is also worthy of record that
DAHL LX-ahstar. L., IL