Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-06
History of Old Brick Capitol Concluded

knowledge, could say that the present dwell
tngs were substantially the Old Brick Capitol
The witness happened to be John r. Mahoney
financial secretary Of the Association of Old
est Inhabitants. Recently Mr.. Mahoney was
asked Tor statement regarding his recollec-
ton OF the remOdeling of the old building,
which took place SO years ago, and this in
part, is what he wrote:
THE Old Capitol during the Civil War was
occupied by Confederate prisoners A frame
addition was made to the A street side adj
Joining the brick extension and q high board
fence on building line on street, to prevent
escape OF prisoners. The Duddington row on
First street, where the Library now stands,
was also used as q prison and often confused
with the Old Capitol.
After the Civil War the Old Capitol was
purchased and changed into residences The
old frame fence and the frame building on "A
street and part of the rear brick building were
torn down and the rear brick building was re-
built. The main building was changed into
three houses and the front walls were remod-
eled by changing windows and entrances
large room was added to the south side Of
the old building.
"A lot of ua navy yard boys used to visit
the Old Capitol and Duddington row when new
prisoners were brought in"
In court, Mr.. Mahoney testified, even to the
most minute details, of a visit made to the
father who was a builder, and how his ia
ther had picked up pieces Of brick mortar and
had explained to him the difference between
the mortar of 1915 and the kind in use a half
a century later.
WHEN we have the statement of The Star.
and an eyewitness like Mr.. Mahoney
1t does seem that there would be no cues
ton about the authenticity Of this old building.
The building, or buildings that preceded the
Brick Capitol, and which occupied the rear of
the lot on the A street side were conducted or
operated as a tavern, according to a reliable
author by William Tunniclid as early as 1894
and he left it to run the Eastern Branch Hotel.
Returning to the First and street site in
1893 where new hotel had just been COM
pleted and named the Washington City Hotel
George Walker was then TunniclifI's partner
Mr.. Bryan tells US that from 17e4-18O4 this
hotel was conducted by William T,lnnicliff.
1SO4-l805 by Pontius D. STEELE 18lO-lSl2 by
Samuel J. Coolidge, IN 1914 by Robert Long
and later by Mcleod. Elsewhere we find II
said that b. H. TomlinSon was its proprietor
from 1912 to 1914 and at the time Of the
British invasion. after which the proprietor
opened the public baths on C street between
Four-and-a-hah and Sixth streets
1t was at TunniclihS Hotel or TunnichfT's
Tavern, that preceded the Brick Capitol that
President John Adams stopped on his visit tn
Washington IN June 1900, using q chariot and
four to travel in.
HERE are several other old buildings in
this block that must 60 when this square
Is cleared by the wreckers. One in particular
is the old Easily house, ut l22 East Capitol
street
Knowing that Col James S. Easbv-Smith
the lawyer, was grandson Of Capt. William
Easily, one Of our earliest and best known
citizens, the writer appealed to him for In