Evening star., 1923-12-07
Appreciates New Park.
Praise Given to Mr.. Glover for
Magnificent Gift.
D the Editor Of The Star,

To the Editor OF The Star:
The gift to the District by our pub
iic-spirited citizen. g. c. Glover of
Foundry Branch valley as a public
park should be hailed with delight by
every one interested In the develop
ment of Greater Washington. =
This long strip of land. comprising
some seventy-seven acres, is not only
an ideal site for park, but the local
ity Is also of national and historical
interest
Here. few yards north of the rail-
branch. once stood the old stone CAN
non foundry in which were made the
guns with which Commodore Perry
fought and won the battle of Lake
hauled there by OK teams. The can
non used in the Mexican war 1S46)
were also made here.
Immediately overlooking the stream
and the old foundry, on the eminence
to the westward, was Spring Hill. the
Henry Foxall.' This residence of Nj.
Foxall was a frame building Of the
bungalow type, with a brick annex,
but long since removed from the
landscape in the. progress of neigh
borhood development A large porch
or veranda extended along the front
of the building, from which a mag
nificent view was afforded of the Po-
tomac river, Masons Island (now
Analostan). the home of the historic
Virginia family of that name. and the
Maryland and Virginia hills in the
distance.
Mr.. Foxall was public spirited
patriot. possessing ample means, and
of the period. having as frequent
guests Thomas Jefferson, the revolu-
tfonary patriot and third President of
the United States; Robert Morris.
patriot. financier and philanthropist,
Scott Key. patriot and author of the
immortal "Star Spangled Banner" /;
John Quincy Adams, sixth President
Of the United States, always closely
identified in District of Columb bia af-
Mr. FoxaIi and Robert Morris, who
we're partners In e foundry in Phila-
delphia, removed their business to
the District OF Columbia In 11ss, 10,
into the Potomac nearly opposite the
Three Sisters Uittle islets in the
river above the. Georgetown bridget,
naming the stream Foundry branch,
after their business.
AT the beginning Of the war Of
1872, Foxall turned his foundry into
q run shop, and many or the guns
were of the most improved styles,
Foxall himself experimenting their
manufacture.
The British, upon entering the city
OF Washington and destroying the
public buildings and other property.
decided upon demolishing Foxalps
foundry, detail OF soldiers having
been designated for the. purpose; but
a terrific rain and wind storm oc-
curing at the time interfered with
the plan, In their hasty retreat.
Foxall took an active part in the
civic affairs of Georgetown, being
MAYOR of the town at one time.
have pictures Of the old foundry,
gun shop and Spring Hill residence,
made from photographs taken some
thirty-five years ago. Since then, all
Of the old buildings have disappeared
from the landscape in the process Of
material development of the section.
Congress should promptly accept
the munifcent gift of Mr.. Glover. IL
congressional action Is deemed neces-
sary; and IL rs suggested that the
new park be named either Foxall,
in honor Of the patriotic gun founder
and eminent citizen. or-- Glover for
the: :publicsspirltsd doner. - 80. : =
GEO SIMMONS.