Evening star., 1923-04-05
REVEALS ODD BIT
OF STATUE HISTORY
John B. Mccarthy Tells Old
est Inhabitants of Sculptor's
Vain Wishes.

The statue of George Washington,
recently taken from it's pedestal in
Washington Circle for renovation.
would have stood all these years at
18th street and Massachusetts ave
nue. northwest if the wish of
Clark Mills, the sculptor, had pre-
vailed.
This bit OF history was given to the
members of the Association of Oldest
Inha bitants of the District by John
+. Mccarthy, corresponding secretary
OF the organization, at the monthly
meeting in Union Engine House,
10Th and ii streets, last night.
Both the Washington statue, in the
circle at 23d and Pennsylvania ave-
nue., and the Jackson statue. in La
fayette Square, came in for dis
cuSsion as result of the recent pro-
posal to place Washington in Lafay-
cite Park and Jackson in the 23d
street circle.
Mr.. Mccarthy told his associates
that both statues were cast by Mr.
Mills in Washington at a point near
the present Mount Olivet cemetery.
Predictions Go Amiss.
when the jackson statue was
erected" said Mr.. Mccarthy, IA num-
DER OI luulN luudlS pEeulCleu 1t wOuIQ
not survive good windStorm be-
cause of its unusual design. But the
wind has blown many Il day since
and Jackson is still there.
Mills wanted the Washington statue
to go on the eminence at 18th street
and Massachusetts avenue because he
felt the father of his country should
occupy one of the high spots of the
old city. Stronger Influences. how
ever, had II placed in what is now
known as Washington Circle"
John Clagett Proctor read a timely
poem on Jackson in which he ex-
pressed in strong terms the sentiments
of those who want the statue to re-
main where it Is.
Antiquity of Stumps.
Mr.. Mccarthy took occa sion 10 ey-
plain to the members that he did not
question the antiquity of tree stumps
and other species of plant life found
in excavating for the Walker Hotel
at Connecticut avenue and De Sales
street. Mr.. Mccarthy said he attend
cd a conference recently of geologfsts
and other scientists who are en-
deavoring to trace the history of the
plant life found there, but emphasized
the fact that he did not disagree with
them.
He told what he knew Of the hotel
site as it looked in his boyhood days
when he waded i'll the Slash run
which crossed the present hotel site
Unanimously Elected.
Mr.. Proctor was elected unanimous
~ 10 be one of the vice presidents OF
the association. Capt. George w.
Evans presented to the association
two valuable old editions of The Eve
ming Star of November 10. 1856. and
October II, 1860. In presenting the
1856 paper Capt. Evans read an ad-
vertisement of six-room cottage
for rent at the attractive figure of
$40 per month. The captain also
presented a reproduction in colors
of the painting by Hines of the first
reading of the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence. He was thanked for these
additions to the archives
Capt. Evans delivered impressive
eulogies OF Fred l.. Harvey, Joseph I.
Griffith and James E. Padgett, MEM
bers who died since the last meeting.
Two other members, Millard F. Bur-
rows and Michael Z. Sullivan, died
during the past month.
Alfred B. Gawler. 719 18th street
was elected to membership. President
Theodore w. Noyes presided