Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-30
lodore Porter Was Dirt Farmer in Meridian Hill Infancy
BY JOHN CLAGETT PROCTOR.

IF you were to take all the build
ings off of Meridian Hill and re-
place them with two or three mod
4 est frame dwellings and a half
dozen or so Of rude Shacks dotted
here and there. this subdivision would
then LOOK about as I first saw 1t, SO
years or more ago, with no improve
ments, streets in name only, herds of
cows grazing here and there, guarded
by some one to prevent them from
being taken up by the poundmaster.
Sam Einstein, and an exceedingly small
number of trees. Indeed. 1t was then
a neglected area, which seemed to be-
long to no person in particular and
where Squatter sovereignty appeared to
reign.
It was not a fascinating sight, but
was one of the features of a cherries,
long trudge as we barefooted kids
tramped across its entire width during
the hot Summer months to take a dip
in Rock Creek. nearby Nor did we
ever fail. when rounding Wayland
Seminary on our way. to throw stone
or two against the iron sides OF the
old standpipe which stood for many
years at the head of Sixteenth street
hill. approximately in front OF the
French embassy.
The stony surface of the earth made
walking uncomfortable and tiresome,
and gladly did we avail ourselves OF
the shade of the few oaks, under which
we stopped to rest and to straighten
out our stubbed toes and pick briars
from the more tender parts of our
feet, while sharp lookout was always
kept for "Cottonhead SAM" whose
chief occupation was to 60 through the
smaller boys pockets for what he could
70 IA
Sam was an unusual looking mu-
latto. with the appearance Of an albino,
displaying the customary white hair
and pink eyes and devoid of any scru-
piles. as he lay in wait for those whom
he could prey upon.
The route we boys usually took, es-
pecially those who lived in the area
then called the Level, was around
Florida avenue, west on Staughton or
Chaplin street, thence northwest over
Meridian Hill to Quarry road, where
We usually stopped midway down the
hill to refresh ourselves with the nee
tar that Jupiter sips. for here was a
fine spring, adjoining the Eslin tract,
buildings. MilkhouSe lane and Red
house lane were also much travelled by
the boys on their way to the creek.
If the changes to me in the years |
I have known it are so great, how |
much greater must the change be from |
the time it was purchased by Commo-
dore Porter, way back in 1916. or even |
from the time it was subdivided into |
building lots for Isaac E. Messmore by |
Hall and Elvans in 1867 and sold for |
10 cents a square foot.
When the District of Columbia was
selected as the permanent seat of Gov
Ornment, Robert Peter was one of the |
original proprietors, owning a tract of |
land then known as Mount Pleasant, |
which extended both above and below |
Florida avenue. For many years a
farmhouse erected by him stood in the
square bounded by Thirteenth, Four
tenth and w streets and Florida ave-
nue..
It was SO to % feet, surrounded by
silver maple trees. and probably re-
manned on the site until within IS
years ago. The writer's aunt, Mrs.
Mary Logan, and her family lived in
this house about 1876, when as child
he visited her there. Upon the death
Of Robert Peter, Meridian Hill went to
his son, Robert Peter. jr. In 1911
Thomas Peter, executor of Robert /