Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-16

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fridge or archway on the Avenue, as well as
houses, the Jackson Tavern, on the Avenue.
about 1889, and Foy's Hotel, on street In the
hfties man slipped in the creek and was
drowned in 10 inches Of water, but whisky had
much to do with it. For many years there was
barely room between the railroad buildings and
the stream for a carriage or wagon, with no
profession by barrier. AS o result now and
then some one fell In the water, but, It being
shallow. few fatalities occurred
stIT'HE Avenue had been Improved year or
two before and part of the wooden bridge
damaged in recent food had been replaced
by an arch.
Little of the reservation opposite the station
had been ueed as the Botanic Garden, and much
of It was swampy. the TIber as an open stream
passing through it. On the Avenue between the
Tfber and the Capitol grounds there were few
improvements other than the Andrew jackson
tavern and j. T. Kellmun's grocery. West Of
the depot site were several three-story bricks
owned by Eexius Simms. D. d. Arden and
Others, most of them occupied as boarding
house. On the depot property was . three
story brick structure, which had been board
ing house, and q few minor improvements,
shops. etc. In short time this property was
fitted for depos purposes. the brick building
for Offices and living rooms, and In place of the
shops waiting room, north Of which were the
ttre gave 10 minutes notzce OF the departure
Of trains ON their two daily trips TO Baltimore,
distance of 20 miles, accomplished In q
little more than two hours, the usual speed
being IL miles an hour. Mr.. George Sweeny
was the first agent Of the railroad here and in
his day with force Of less than half dozen
managed the passenger, baggage and freight
business. After Mr.. Eweeny. John Stettinus
was the agent and later Thomas II. Parsons
He was followed by George Gilbert and in
war times BY George s. Koontz"
Speaking Of this old depot an article appear
ing IN the press some time ago aid:
The two houses now standing On Pennsyl-
vania avenue at the nDrthwest corner of its
intersection of Second street are built ON the
foundation of the old depot The neighborhood
has much changed, but the old brick car house
m the rear, on square STA, back from the corner
OF b and Second streets, Is still in good con-
dition. 1t can be seen when passing up street
near Second, and also from the windows of the
Business High School, formerly the District
Building, on First street. Tfber has been arched
over through all that region, but IL still flows
unseen beneath the surface The rayine there
which had the Tiber for its center has been
niled up, and the surface Is now well covered
with dwellings. business houses and an active
community
AN incident of more than passing interest
was the arrival at this old depot in Feb
ruary, 1884, of Gen. william Henry Harrison,
who came here for his inauguration, which took
place one month later.
Preparations had been made by Mayor
Seaton and the City Councils to receive him"
. correspondent states 'sbut for some reason
he was landed IN the depot ahead Of the time
he was expected. It 30 happened that Mr..
James Lawrenson, long correspondent and
connected with the Intelligencer, was there and
he knew of the arrangements and informed
Gen. Harrison. 1t was showing ut the time
and he suggested that they retire to q room
and await the mayor and committee, who he
did and In q little time the receiving party
appeared. By that time several hundred per-
soms despite the snowsturm, had formed lines
on the Avenue through which Gen. Harrison
was escorted, while there were continuous cheers
as he passed. He persisted IN acknowledging
the ovation by uncovering his head, and to the
cold then contracted by him was his death I'm
. month after his Inauguration attributed. Up
Four and-a-half street he was escorted to the
City Hail. where he was formally welcomed.
and after receiving many citizens repaired 10
the residence of the mayor as the guest Of the
latter.
~As stated, the Avenue or Second street depot
was In service for 10 years. During that period
al the railroad business passenger and freight,
tn the District was transacted there"
NATURALLY. the arrangements ON the Balti-
more end of the line from which the first
trains were to leave were prepared with as
much care and detail as were the plans for
their reception at washington, and so we md