Evening star., 1928-04-08
gton Frequently Consulted Jefferson About District

the outer SIDE with rows or similar
trees, and then came the footways ex-
tending to the building line.
An eyewitness to the planting Of the
trees says:
1.-The manner Of planting them was
rather singular. A row was planted On
each side Of the street near where the
curbstoneS we're to be set, and In addi-
ton to this there were two more rows
of equal distance from the curbstones
and much nearer the center Of the
Avenue, which left the center of the
Avenue quite narrow. The trees were
Lombardy poplars, and were planted by
an old man named Buntin. I and my
younger brothers frequently went down
to see old Buntin plant the trees, and I
several times saw Mr.. Jefferson (the
President) there. He was always fond
of being where improvements were be-
ing made"
Describing his personality, the same
authority tells us:
"He was a tall, well proportioned
man, 6 feet or upward in height. He
was generally seen on horseback, sell
dom riding in his carriage. He usually
wore blue cloth double-breaSted coat
with gilded buttons, and I do not recol-
lect Of ever having seen him with a
round-breasted coat on. as he Is repre-
sented in his bronze statue at the White
House In riding along he usually wore
his hat nearly down over his eyes.
popularity could never account for,
unless 1t was because he sat so erect on
his horse as to enable him TO look
straight forward"
Although these Lombardy poplars did
not make good shade tree, yet they
were retained on the Avenue many
years, and all the early views OF that
mart nf Wa chin ctnY1 dicffv7Hf1u GhnW the
four rows.
MOT only was jefferson interested in
improving the city's roadways. in
encouraging better class of archttec-
ture and in beautifying the landscape
Of the Capital. but he was also inter-
ested in educating the poor youth of
the District as well For this purpose
he was one of the large contributors TO
a fund In 1905 which included 191 sub
scribers and from which was obtained
So, 1872, and IN the same year he was
elected president Of the school board,
which he gracefully accepted, although
he did not find time to attend its meet
ings. His educational activities also ex-
tended to his own State Of Virginia,
where as early as 1779 he framed a
school Law. which was not adopted for
II years, and even then was not put
into effective operation.
Though jefferson manifestly was in
terested in educational matters, he had
nothing to do with transferring TO the
District authorities the So-called "Jef-
ferson" stable building which for so
many years stood on the southeast cor
ner Of Fourteenth and g streets, and
building. The old stable building. which
was erected in 1900. was turned
over TO the District authorities in 1921
by direction Of and during the admin
istration of President Monroe. This is
where Strong John Thomson taught
school for so many years.
Even when Jefferson left the White
House, in 1909. Washington was very
wild place. Writing home under date
of October z, 1909, British Minister
Francis ]. jackson says: Il put up a
covey Of partridgeS about 800 yards
from the Capitol"
There are many reminders Of Jeffer-
son in Washington today. Most impor-
tant OF all. Of course, is that great char
ter of liberty on exhibition IN the IL
brary of CongreSS-the Declaration Of
Independence. Then there is in the
National Museum a chair constructed
for writing purposes in accordance with
his design. largely resembling the Or
dinary lunchroom chair, and used by
him at Monticello. The little writing
ration is also exhibited IN the Museum.
together with other personal relics once
belonging to that great statesman.
THE little desk has history. Way
back in 1s25. one year before he
died. Mr.. jefferson gave the desk TO
Joseph Coolidge of Boston. no doubt in
some way related to the present occu-
pant Of the White House Mr.. Coolidge
had married Jefferson's granddaughter,
and it was the formers children who
presented IL TO the Government In 1880.
Solely for the purpose OF making the
presentation to President Hayes. the
Senator and orator. Robert c. VIM
throp. came 70 washington with his
wife and stepdaughter. Subsequently.
in q message to Congress, President
Hayes referred to this gift. For many
years it reposed IN the State Depart
ment, but was some time ago trans
ferred TO its present location.
Unique in the Governments collec
ton is q bag. open only at the neck.
in which he slept when staying over
night in strange places. for Jefferson
was mortally afraid OF what the scien-
tist calls Cimex lectularia, but what is
known to the ordinary layman as SIM
ply "bedbug"
Like washington. Napoleon and
number of other great men. jefferson
took unto himself widow, Mrs, Martha
Shelton. her husband having died in
l76S, when she was only 10 years OF
age. Her marriage to Jefferson took
place January !. lT72. and they lived
happily until her death 10 years later
OF his six daughters. only two survived
infancy-Martha. who became Mrs
Thomas Mann Randolph. and Mary.
usually called Maria, who married John
w, Eppes,
on July 4. 1896. on the fiftieth ami
versary Of the signing Of the Declara-
ton OF Independence, Thomas jefferson
joined the Great Republic on high
Early in the Spring Of 1876 his health
began TO fail. and from that time unttl
the end came there seemed no hope for
his recovery.
A. H. Guernsey. writing many years
ago. gives vivid account Of his clos
Ing hours:
"AS midnight approached. the friends
stood watch in hand. hoping for yes
might be hallowed by taking place on
the glorious Fourth. Their piouS wish
was granted. He still lived. At
o'clock in the morning he spoke IN
clear voice. perfectly conscious o. his
wants These were his last audible
words: but Still he hved as the slow
hours wore on. At 10 he made some
sign, which his faithful old servant
understood 20 indicate desire that his
head should be raised At IL he
opened his eyes and moved his lips.
A wet sponge was placed to his mouth.
this he sucked with apparent relish.
This was the last evidence OF conscious