Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-09

l0Ge1
formed the firm Of Judd & DetweiIer, whose
founders have long since passed away
Peter Force was one Of our most celebrated
citizens, serving as mayor Of the city from 1886
to 1899. His National Calendar, published an
nually from 1870 to 1886, except for the years
1025-1627, and his National Government Jour-
nal and Register OF Of1cial Papers are Of great
value to those seeking early information regard
ing the National Government and the City OF
? washington. For many years his residence
stood back from the street at the northeast
corner of Tenth and D streets northwest, sur
rounded by an old-fashioned garden.
NEARLY 81 years ago Mrs. Jennie Tree Rives
read q paper before the Columbia His
tOrical Society on "Old-Time Places and People
in Washington" including, as she did, sketch
OF the Peter Force garden, in which she said
in part:
"+ the old Peter Force garden, situated
on the north side of d street between Ninth
and Tenth streets 1t extended nearly as far
as Frank Wards dairy, ON the d street side,
and to the gas Office, on the east side of Tenth
street. AS child played in the quaint old
garden with my little cousin, George Force
1t contained soma stately old trees Beds OF
wild Strawberries grew at their roots The gar
den was intersected by gravel walks bordered
with box. Tall, white hlacs nodded their grace
ful heads and threw out sweet perfume Great
beds Of gay tiger lilies famed in the sun. The
spicy Glove pink, the moss rose, marigolds great
beds OF lilies OF the valley with their tiny bells
and sweet perfume: hlacs, larkspur, lady's slip
per and four o'clocks all grew in this dear old
fashioned garden.
Here Mr.. Force, dressed invariably in dark
blue coat with brass buttons and white ruined
shirt walked daily, pacing the gravel walk his
old dog by his side, beautiful st. Bernard.
We children left the garden as he entered No
one was allowed to intrude upon or disturb
grandfather It was the household rule
The house was q low, two-story, brick struc-
ture, rather rambling in character, having two
entrances 1t always seemed gloomy and
shut up.
"Of the four sons of Mr.. Force. Gen. Nam
ming Force is the only one still living, be-
heve. HIS only daughter married and died.
Mr. Force was very strong, fancy, in his at
tachments. remember that my cousin told
me her grandmother's room was closed after
her death. It remained SO until after Mr. Force
died. When 1t was opened on her sewing table
rested the little work basket the dainty work
Stin In 1t, the needle all rlsted from disuse
Her clothes hung In their accustomed places in
!. the wardrobes. and all the little trifes q woman
loves TO collect were in and around the room-
No foot but his had crossed the threshold since
the light Of the room had passed away. Afte-
q long companionShip -desolation. d street
at that time was very different from what it
is today. think the only shop was a small
bakery Con the north side. I mean)."
DETER FORCE was not the only printer who
served as mayor of the city There were
five others, or six In all, out of the 90 who
served from 1907 to 1870.
The first to serve was Daniel Rapine fol-
lowed BY Roger O. Weightman. Joseph Gales,
jr, for 50 many years identified with the Ma
tional Intelligencer, served from 1927 to 1929:
Peter Force came next: then the other member
of the Intelligencer firm, william w. Seaton,
VINO served Tor nine years, or from 1870 to 184S.
John T. Towers was the last printer mayor. his
term OF Office having been from 1854 to 1855.
Mr.. Force was always a friend of the printer,
and the printer greatly admired Mr.. Force, and
upon the occasion Of the thirty-fourth an
niversary Of Me society, February 3, 1S49 the
following toast was offered:
peter Force, Esq-The historian and
archeologist who hyphenizes, as it were, the
qualities Of the antiquary and the practical
man of business. His membership in our
society is no less honorable to us than we pre-
sumo it is gratifying to him."
In 1855, at the banquet In celebration of the
hftieth anniversary Of the society, Crosby s.
Noyes, then assistant editer of The Star re-
sponded to the toast: "The Typographical
Society of Washington"
Enoch White, Washington Topham's grand
father. came to Washington from Fredericks-
burg, Va in a stage coach on March IL,
1924, and secured employment on the National
Intelligencer, where he served for time as
foreman He was born in Fredericksburg in
1879, and for Q while worked there on the Viz
ginia Herald, and at one time operated q print
ing ONCE in that historic city together with
his brother, Jess white. For q brief period the
writer served as an apprentice in the same
printing ONCE with Mr.. TophAn, who Is now
an honorary member Of the union.
Enoch Whites daughter Anne N. married