Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-20


bat It has housed in its time many lawyers.
some OF whom have become conspicuous mem
bers Of the bar.
Prior to the erecting Of the Fendall Building.
Philip Picard FencaIl, who owned the property
from q very early date, lived with his family on
this corner until his death in 1853, and SubSe-
auently his descendants occupied It 1t least
up to 1890. He was born in Alexandria In 1874
and was probably the son OF Philip Richard
Tor Ricard) Fendall OF Alexandria, who on
January IL. 1892, sold to Samuel Bledgett, for
O syndicate, 394 acres of . tract Of land in
Northwest Washington known as Jamaica for
30 $40 Mexican silver dollars.
Later we find this same Fendau organizing
In Alexandria in December, 1892, what is re-
ferred to as the second bank south Of Phila-
delphia and the first one in Virginia. Techni-
caIIy however, since Alexandria Mt that time
was in the District Of Columbia this claim
might be disputed.
The junior FendalI who was born In Alex
andria in 1894. graduated from Princeton Col
Iege in 1920. and after being admitted to the
bar in his native city moved to washington
shortly Gfterward and continued until his death
as OF most prominent lawyers. In 1871
President Tyler appointed him U. s. District
Attorney to succeed Francis Scott Key, and
after being out of office for few years lae was
again appointed to that ONCE In 1913.
IN the Winter of 1888 MR. Kendall hap
] pened to have an accident in the downtown
section of the city, which shows the almost
rural character of Washington even as recent
as q hundred years ago. It seems at that time
and even up until 185B-the stream which
ran through the blocks bounded by Ninth and
Tenth streets and which had its source in
Franklin Square was not fenced in, and that
where it crossed F. Strees near Ninth the Iavine
49,
IA feet
Bridges for pedestrians and conveyances were
thrown across the streams at necessary places
60 facilitate travel but those built for pedestri-
ans lacked the protection Of side rails and due
TO this indifference the part OF the city
authorities Mr.. Pendall fell into the raEine one
dark night and broke his leg in two places.
Well. we may have all kinds Of automobile
accidents nowadays at this busy intersection,
but none Of us would care to return to the
conditions existing in this neighborho0d IN our
grandfather's days
The old building on the southwest corner OF
John Marshall place and Indiana avenue
built as Masonic Temple on ground purchased
by Federal. Columbia, Lebanon and New
Jerusalem Lodges. The corner stone was laid
in 1926, and the Masons lost control Of it in
aB43. From 1897 to 1899 1t was occupied as
the City Post ONCE and later 1t became =
dance hall and was used for other amuBements.
Here Joseph H. Bradley made his home from
about 1850 to 1870 In recent years 1t has been
m Office building for lawyers.
Two doors west OF the Masonic Temple. at
NO. ass is q spacious building. crested q
residence by the elder Richard Waliach about
1870. 1t Is light-colored structure and has
Imitation stone front. Richard Wallmch the
son, and the Mayor OF washington from 1861
to 1867 occupied it when serving in that ofice.
At one time 1t was also occupied BY DR. Fred
erick May. and Jonah ID. Hoover lived there
when marshal of the District. 1852 to 1885.
Next to the Wallach home Is . three-st0ry
plastered-front building, No. 468, and mex:
west of this No. 46O, is similar structure, with
light-painted brick front. Flemish bond, and
these compose the Walker Building.
THE old District Building. which Was used
by the District Government for some years
subsequent to 1891 was built By the National
Capital Investment Co.. organized In 1880 By
AGaj. Samuel n. Walker. who says: when
the foundations being prepared an
hAustless stream of wAter was encountered IL
feet below the endorsement level. This stream
supplied the saloons on the north side of G
street and Havenner,s Bakery and Kimballs
stables on the south side OF G street between