Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-13


books papers and public property in the build
ing. as well as to the building itseh?"
AS is usual even today Old Hickory wanted
to know about twice as much as any one was
able to tell him. True, there had besn fire,
or as Dickens might have said, ITO begin with
there was no doubt about that" But just how
it started and whether 1t was incendiary or
accidental or from carelessneSs or negligence,
were points that stumped the Attorney Cen
eral, who conducted the investigation. aided
by the other members of the cabinet with
Chief Justice William Cranch of the Circuit
Court Of the District of Columbia presiding
and assisting in 1t.
In all SO persons appeared before Judge
Cranch and made sworn statements as to their
knowledge of the fire. These included: Isaac
Goddard William C. Goddard, Charles F.
Wood Abraham Butler, David A. Gardner,
William Greer, r. p Anderson F. r. Dorsett,
James Cummings, B. J. Miller 3. F. Peasants.
Andrew M Laub, Horace e. Wolf, Thomas w.
Dickens William T. Read, Samuel Handy VIII
liam Archer, Thomas r. Gedney Asbury Dick
ms Charles Pryse Westol M. Hone william
M. Stewart, John r. Clay James w. Shields,
Charles Lyons Dantal Boyd, George Crandell,
Nicholas Callan, Philo Hale E. H. Cummings,
James H. Causten, Samuel c. Potter, John N.
Lovejoy. jr.; Thomas Scrivener, Richard Stew
art William Archer, F. r. Dorset, ]. L. An
thony, William Thompson, Charles L. Coltman,
William Morton, J. D. Freeland, John P. Pep
per, Jacob Hines, Charles Petit, David Brear-
ley Alexander Mcdonald, James Moore, Charles
B. Davis, Joseph Lowell, William C. Goddard,
S. M. Mexican, John Woodside, F. A. Dickns,
William Easily, John Kennedy A. R. Watson
and Fielder r. Dorset.
Some of thsse names will be familiar to old
Washingtonians. Nicholas Callan lived to
ripe old age and was for years secretary of
the Association of Oldest Inhabitants. Capt.
William Easily was well identified with early
Washington, and some Of his descendants are
among present residents. Jacob Hines. a
brother of Christian Hines. lived to be 81 and
he, too. has descendants living here.
THE evidence obtained before Judge Cranch
brought out the statements that the fire
started between half past and O'Clock
on Sunday morning; that there was but one
Waterman on duty at that time, which was
usual for night work; that the regular watch
man was i'll and q substitute was filling his
place; that the substitute asleep when
the fire started and had to be aroused by out
sideFs who saw the flames and that it was
customary for the Waterman to go to sleep il
he wanted to-
In this connection the superintendent of the
building, Andrew M. Laub, read into the record
letter signed by him addressed to James
Watson when he was appointed Waterman in
the Treasury Department. February l. $780, in
which the duties Of q Government Waterman
OF that period are set forth. This letter is
especially interesting. since 1t shows the "reck-
less" way in which Uncle Sam then spent his
money. Here is the letter in part:
Il. That you will be 1T the building on the
nights Of your watch at sunset, and there
remain until sunrise.
-. That each night Of your watch you
strictly examine the nreplaces throughout the
building, and In case Of any neglect on tbs
part of the messengers to secure the fires you
VIII make report thereof to me: which ex-
animation must be made with q lanthorn
j. That after you take charge of the build
ing. no person Is to Be permitted to enter,
except the clerks belonging to the same and
immediately after they depart you must see
that everything In their rooms is secure No
mechanics or laborers can be allowed to work
after night, except by the special order of the
superintendent 49,.
=. There being no appropriation for a sum
day watch and one being considered necessary
1t IS required that the night watch will perform
that duty alternately
Having now stated your duties I will mere
" remark that every confidence is placed in
you that you viii use every exertion for the
safety and protection Of the building while
under your charge
The $500 appropriated by Congress for the
watch OF the Treasury Building having been
divided so as to employ four watchmen your
compensation per annum win be $780, and your
turn OF watching win be every fourth night.
The watchmen being numbered from one to
four, yours is No. s."
A. the time no one seemed to know what
caused the fire, and for awhile not even q
suggestion was offered. The testimony covering
the efforts to extinguish the blaze was quite
interesting and shows as today the difaculties
encountered years ago BY the volunteer fire
companies with . few FIRE engines limited
amount OF hose without universal connections
and very meager water supply.
When the Arst persons arrived upon the
scene they hunted for the Treasury engine
which was found locked mp In . little building
Clome hE but too small n he of service In s,acl a