Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-20
old Families Gaze Prominence to Vuginia Avenue

Apparently many years ago the intermens
of deceased persons followed more quickly after
their DEATH for the Intelligencer of October
speaks OF the mayors burial on the preceding
day. AS copied, this notice reads:
THE funeral Of our late Mayor, s. NJ
Smallwood, Esq, took place yesterday
afternoon, and was most respectfully and
numerously attended. AS a mark of re-
spect to the merits Of this citizen, the
shops Of the Avenue were closed, at 8
O'Clock, yesterday, for the remainder Of
the day"
THE mayor In private life was a reliable
lumber merchant and wharfnger; In pub
lie life q progressive and valuable officer whom
the two city boards Of Washington elected to
be its mayor in 1919 and again in 1924. He
was succeeded In Office by Thomas Carbery.
The residence I'm which he lived and died
has undergone little change since it was built
by DIR. May. No doubt the building as now
preserved was originally two residences and It
is quite likely that Dr. May erected both Just
who lived in the one TO the east in the early
days the writer is unable to say though his
friend John r. Mahoney, respected and VEN
cradle resident Of the southeast and the fnan-
cial secretary OF the Association of Oldest IfS
habitants tells him that for a time one Of
these houses was occupied by a Mr.. Bohrer,
who was matchmaker of the Street Market
and that William Mead, contractor, lived In
the other one; that later Dr. Shead bought
and remodeied the two houses.
Just before the death of Mayor Smallwood.
and short while before Gen. Lafayette visited
this country and Washington the mayor pre-
pared to entertain the distinguished French.
man BY constructing a wing on the west side
OF the house, the first floor Of which was planned
for ballroom However,. the mayor died be-
fore the arrival Of the celebrated visitor and
the reception never took place at the Virginia
planned remains as q mute reminder of the
hospitality intended for the beloved Lafayette
On wednesday afternoon of this week the
Permanent Committee on Marking Points Of
Historic Interest in the District Of Columbia,
composed Of Brig. Gen. George Richards. o. 8.
M. c.: Mr.. washington Topham. Mr. John b.
Larrer, Maj. Gist Blair and the writer, win
unveil q bronze tablet ON this historic building
now occupied by the Friendship House as It's
southeast social and educational center. A
worthy work to be carried on in building
erected one hundred and twenty-rine wears
ago by physician noted for his kindness to
the poor and his generous acts OF charity
Miss Lydia Burklin, who has charge of the
center, which was started in 1904 viii be on
hand at that time to show those interested IN
old buildings through this most interesting
mansion Of q near-ColoniaI period
A T the corner Of Fourth and Virginia avenue.
just door or two away, stands another
old building which must also be more than q
hundred years old. It Is q queer looking sort
Of house, built Of brick and in its day was no
doubt occupied By some one at least of local
distinction. Mr. Mahoney tells me that Mrs =.
d. 3. N. Southworth occupied it at the time she
wrote Lies Darkest Hour" which happened
to be just after she separated from her huss
band. just how long she continued to live
on this corner the writer does not know though
it Is indeed quite probable that some Of her
many other novels were written here also.
We do not know that Mrs Southworth lived