Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-15


studied law and admitted to the bar and
commenced practice in Memphis. Tenn from
which State he served as Representative IN
Congress from 1845 to 1855 Three years later
he became Governor of Kansas Territory serv-
ing from 1858 to 1861, when he returned to
Virginia and subsequently went to Florida
where he died in 1894
THE new Jail at Fourth and G streets served
its purpose for many years but was finally
removed in 1874 and its materials sold and
the proceeds devoted to the improvement of
Judiciary Square. However while it existed it
was generally known as the Blue jug" from
the color it was painted. The jailers who had
charge of this institution while it existed,
besides Mr.. Ball. James A. Williams
Lewis Wright. Robert Beall Daniel Smith,
Benedict Milburn William H. HouStis and Gen,
John S. Croker, who in charge when the
transfer was made to the new jail IN Reserva-
ton IT, out toward the Eastern Branch, and
which cost under the acts of 1872 and 1875
about 100000, of which the District con-
tributed $125, 600.
When the Blue Jug Jail was completed,
about 1910, and the old building on the north
side Of E street became vacant. the Medical
Society of the District, in January, 1910,
petitioned Congress to establish there a public
hospital However, when Congress took up
the matter, instead of carrying out the idea Of
the Medical Society, it, made an appropriation,
In 1912. for the purpose of making such alter
atoms might be necessary to render the
building suitable for the care of the insane and
other public charges, and also provided for the
improvement of the northern half of the square
Though this turn in affairs did not meet
with the better judgment of the members Of
the Medical Society. yet there was nothing else
to do but bow gracefully to the superior will
OF Congress- and the alterations were accoro-
ingly made. Soon afterward this arrangement
was proven to be unwSe and the few insane
prisoners and paupers kept there were sent to
Baltimore at Government expense Congress
having decided that the building was unsuitable
for the purposes intended.
1t was then that the faculty of Columbian
College took advantage of opportunity and
petitioned Congress for the use of the old
building for medical instruction and scientific
investigation, and on June Is. 1874, an act
was passed for this purpose and the collegS
Immediately took possession and fitted it up to
meet the needed requirements 1t soon became
known as the Washington Infirmary Hospital
and after brief struggle to pay expenses Con-
gress came to the rescue and provided small
annual appropriation for the care of transient
paupers.
1t was the only hospital in this section of
the District for some years, and by 1853 the
demand grew SO great that Congress was au-
pealed to for an appropriation to enlarge it,
and at a cost of $40 900 two wings were added
and third story erected over the whole
During the early days of the Civil War when
1t was taken over by the Government as
hospital for wounded soldiers and soon after
ward destroyed by fire. 1t was described as
being three stories high. Of L shape. with an
extension In the rear at right angles to the
center. The capacity being given as 200
patients.
THE old brick building which once stood ON
the Fifth street side of the square between
and G streets. and which was used as q
public school for a number of years may still
be recalled by a few Of the older residents OF
the city. This building so far as the writer is
able to say, was erected about 1874, and from
the first its single school room was as feet
inches wide, So feet 6 inches long and its
ceiling 10 feet 6 inches high
Here DR., Tobias watkins taught q class at
one end Of the room, while his assistant W. W.
De Maine, taught another class at the other
end This arrangement-does not seem to have
been unusual in the early days. and even three
teachers have been known to have taught three
separate classes In the same room without APP
parent interference interruption
1t Is evident this Schoolhouse was later on
enlarged, for find both male and female
classes being taught there, Mrs. Susan p.
Randolph being the assistant in charge of
the female department
In 1851 the three teachers assigned to this
building were: DR. Watkins. principal male
department.; Thomas M. Wilson, assistant and
Mrs. Randolph, assistant in charge of female
department. During 1855-1S56 Mr. Wilson was
the principal with Mrs. Randolph Miss Emily
Myers and Miss Elizabeth Parsons as assistants
Mrs. Randolph was teaching there in 1860,
after which date there seems to have been no
school at this place.
RY far the most historic building-past or
present-erected in Judiciary Square is the
present United States Court House, or the City
Hall as the Older Washingtonian still enjoys
calling the building, though it has not been
used by the city except in minor instances
since the District of Columbia sold out it's