Evening star., 1928-04-15

what to buy. Any variation from the
monotonouS Army mess was welcome
Many OF the saloons were closed to them
by military order.
The same thing happened frequently
during the World War around canton
ments in the United States, towns in
France where troops were concentrated
| and even In the occupied area of Ger
| many. Any shopkeeper with anything
| novel to eat for sale could be sure OF
reaping a fortune. Thus 1t happened
In Washington In 1861. CLANS were
something entirely new to eat for thou-
sands OF men from the Middle West.
They could be had quickly and cheaply.
A rush started on Harveys.
a large iron pot was set up in the
center Of the shop, where clans were
boiled and dished out as rapidly as the
attendants could handle them A raw
oyster bar was set up in one corner of
the room, and night after night soldiers
were massed eight or ten deep in front
OF 1t. Hundreds OF men In blue uni
forms stretched down the Avenue wait
ing for their turn to get In. The shuck-
ing beds extended along Eleventh, B
and G streets, forming three sides of q
hollcw square. Oysters and clans were
brought in by the cartload. each driver
taking away load Of empty shells
Boiling, the HarveyS decided. took too
much time. The soldiers used TO get
impatient and obstreperous when forced
10 wait. The proprietors experimental
with the quicker and simpler process of
Steaming and found the results excel
lent. Hence this building probably is
the home OF the steamed clam.
Abraham Lincoln. observing the long
line OF soldiers before the door, was
curious and inquired the reason. He
was told that new and delicious dish
was on sale there. He expressed a de-
sire 10 taste steamed clans. A visit
TO Harvey's was arranged for the Chief
Executive. He was we'll satisfied with
the delicacy furnished and his example
Increased the eagerness OF the soldiers
To spend their money In this way,
This trade, Of course. dropped off at
the end or the war. It had been on
the decline for some time. The tastes
OF soldiers change quickly. The pro-
prietors were faced with the necessity
OF placing their business on a different
basis. the halcyon days OF soldier trade
having gone forever So they trans
formed the establishment into a restali-
rant. still specializing In sea foods,
Men whose names are household words
dlned there during the next few years.
Notable developments In the history OF
the Nation were discussed over raw
oysters and coffee or beer at It's tables.
Gen. Grant dined there frequently.
There came the irascible BENJAMIN
Butler Of Massachusetts, 10 vent his
spleen against things In general. There
came Blaine and Roscoe Conklin and
Fltzhugh Lee and Andrew johnson and
James A. Garfield
Walt Whitman the magnificent
idler. came up from his hall bedroom,
further down the avenue, and dined
there with Ralph Waldo Emerson and
John Burroughs
Few buildings In the Capital have
held. at one time or another. 80 many
individuals distinguished In history.
I It's atmosphere Ii fragrant with mem-
ofies OF the great and near~great, who
have dined and got tipsy there In the
years between the Civil War and the
turn OF the century
u
A MOTHER curious institution IN THE
Triangle" was Hancock b at l23d
Pennsylvania ayenue~,~a saloon winch
combined The features of an old Enc
llsf Inn ana museum 0f antiques. The
proprietor, Andrew Hancock, had
craving for cllriog which he was able
10 satisfy from the proceeds OF hts bar
Webster and Clay used 10 come there to
drink, IT WAS Il faVorite rendezvous OF
members Of Congress before the Civil
| War.
| Among Hane0ck's euri0sities were
shred Of cloth and button. allegedly
| eut OIL John Browns coat after he
| was captured at lfarpers Ferry; a coll
| leetlnn of election badges extending
| ffom Jackson 10 Mckinley, copy ui
! the circular offering 100000 reward
for the capture of John Wilkes Booth
AiGr Ihs assassination vi Lincolai u