Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-19


away greatly disappointed. and who could
bla ne them2 But then, we ourselves, cannot
depend upon the weather here during the
months of March and April. Sometimes We
have some very charming weather-sometimes
it is rotten. 1t is like the little boy have
often heard spoken of: When he was good, he
was very good indeed; but when he was bad he
was horrid
However, when from any cause the visitor
does not enjoy his stay within our gates we
washingtonians feel just badly as he does,
for we do try to make his stay worthwhile and
profitable. But under circumstances must
the tourist blame Us fer anything he finds here
not to his liking, for he should know that we
have no direct voice in cur conditiorS-good or
bad-not even to the weather.
Regarding. the climatic conditions here, up
until last Summer, practically all Of the old
timers believed that all of the records possible
were hung up and safely slowed away In the
days of his youth-but after the torrid days OF
last July and the unparalleled drought of nearly
the entire year he has come to an entirely Diff
ferent conclusion and now would probably be-
Neve and concede mast anything.
One thing in favor now-and that, OF
Sourse applies 10 the visitor, too-iS that no
matter how long and hcw hard it rains we can
escape the mud, and if We should have long
dry spell, we can also avoid the dust; two
things we could not do 50 or 60 years ago, and,
indeed from that tine back the further
we go the worse we find the conditions were in
these respects for even during the Civil War
period it was a common occurrance for teams
to be stuck in the mud on Pennsylvania avenue.
TO-DAY we have beautifully paved streets
which. by the way, we w. shingtJnians large
" pay for-which does away with the dust and
mud of our youth Indeed the writer recalls the
early days of the National Fair Grounds at Ivy
City-juSt around so years Ggo-When this place
could be reached only by the Washington
branch of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, I'M
less one did not mind getting mired in the mud.
But look this territory over today and what
transformation we fndi Houses everywhere,
and probably where the cid race track once
stood we might also find residences instead OF
enthusiastic, bowling audience such as at
tended these annual affairs while the fan
grounds were in operation.
This enterprise has been thing of the past
for so many years that few of the present gen.
Grafton know that at one time We really DID
have in the District of Columbia credttable fair
grounds and that, for a while at least, consider
able interest was taken in them, especially by
the merchants of the city, who took advantage
Of the opportunity offered and displayed their
goods and as lcng as the enthusiasm lasted the
venture was a success, but as this waned and
laws were enacted against bookmaking IN the
District, the handicap proved too great and the
fair grounds proposition suffered accordingly.
The movement for this early place Of amuse-
ment took place back in the early part Of 1872
though the opening day of the buildings and
grounds did not take place until October 70 OF
that year.
The plans for the opening were arranged on
an elaborate scale, and included one of the
largest parades on Pennsylvania avenue, with
Frank Hume as chief marshal, assisted by
A. W. Kelly. James E. Bangs was deputy to the
chief, and Col. p. H. Allabach was special aid
while the following well known men Of that
period served as assistant marshals: T. F.
p
Knox r. BereSford, w. H. Yerkes, J. p. D.
Phelps Col b. L. Blackford, A. H. Stevenson,
M. r. Goddard, Arthur Cropley James Young,
c. Heurich, @. Juenemann, Robert Young,
George F. Timms, H. H. Clapp, w. D. WyvNl
and A. Mari.
Following these came the full Marine Band
Of 40 pieces then carriages containing the
managers of the association, including Allison
Nailor and others. Mr.. Nailor, who for many
years was one of Washington's principal livery
stable keepers, had furnished the carriages for
the principal officers, which were each drawn
by four Of his best horses with outriders, and
those who recall some of the blooded stock he
owned appreciate what a grand sight these
equipages must have made.
OF course, the Police Department cleared the
way, and the Fire Commissioner there
in his fine turnout followed by the Fire De-
partment, which was headed by Donchs Band,
and then came what we perhaps shall never see
.agair-a procession Of brewers. For there were
in Washington at that time just 10 brewers Of
lager beer. Perhaps we do have more than that
number now, but they would not care to parade
as such.
Francis ]. Adj who had his plant on the
Navy Yard led off with a decorated wagon
displaying kegs of beer. Robert Portner. per-
haps better known to Washington's thirsty
public, and who had his main headquarters
down on Virginia avenue southwest between
Sixth and Seventh streets, came next in the
procession, his wagon having in it a large