Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-13


rounded out on June last just S6 full years.
When the writer called the venerable
former chief of the police force he had no
intention of asking him anything about police
matters pertaining to his term OF oflce 40 years
ago. but the irresistible desire for information on
a present-day burning question led him to
change his mind and to ask the major II the
so-called third degree practiced while he
was superintendent, and he received in reply
emphatic mol"
For man of his age Maj. Walker is doing
about as well-if not great deal better-than
one might expect. He still retains the presi-
dency of the Capital City Life Insurance Co.
and seems not to have lessened his activities in
a number of financial institutions in which he
is also connected He arrives at his office about
o'clock in the morning and it was here that
the writer found him transacting business with
a mental grasp that denoted an unfailing mind.
Indeed a nearby town had sent him real estate
tax bills in excess of his holdings and the
major was Strengthening out the matter so that
one of his sons might have the error rectl1ed.
Another party interrupted our talk with check
for his signature and incidentally suggested how
il should be Endorsed. He turned the check over,
added his name, and replied in no uncertain
manner: The bank will know how to handle
that
Just where Mai Walker would be today had
he remained little longer at the head Of the
Police Department is only con ecture. No doubt
he would have passed away ere this and though
he did not say yet he were younger
man and were asked once more to assume the
duties at the head of the Metropolitan Police,
he undoubtedly would hold up his right hand
and say: Never agan!"
The major is a native of Washington and was
born on the north side of street, between
Eighth and Ninth streets, opposite the Pubic
Library He mentions neighbors in the
same street Lem Towers. John T. Towers, X.
L. May, lieutenant, stationed at the Naval
Thomas
building inspector.
Washington Topham. writing Of this vicinity
gives a more complete list of residents and I'M
portant buildings standing for the year 1860
which is interesting. He says:
IA MONG the more important buildings and
n residences which 1 recall in the sixties
facing the Northern Liberty Market and what
is now Mount Vernon Square, are the Southern
Methodist or Mount Vernon Place M E. Church,
recently torn down to make place for the new
building for the National Association of Ma
chinists This church was built by Dearing and
Morsell, then members of the same, 81 years
ago. and I well remember its construction
After the church was finished and the burden OF
debt rather heavy, a way out was provided by
these two liberal members in personally hqui-
dating the final payment Prof. Joseph Daniel
of public school fame, led the choir for many
years.
"Mr. w. w. Burdette lived north of the
market, at No. sos street Mr.. George W. Knox
at 8O3 X, MI Lem Towers at No. BOT K and
Mr.. Alexander H. Young, the grocer, at north
west corner of Eighth and K, and the residences
of Mai A. c. Richards and Mr.. Jedediah Git
tings Just above on Eighth. Between Seventh
and Eighth streets on K, in No. I'll, lived VAL
entine Harbaugh, the druggist, and W. T. Grit
fifth q leading tailor for years, at 705; 113,
Noble D. Larner; TIT, Col. William G. Moore.
and on the northeast corner OF Eighth street
George s. Gideon, at one time president Of the
Washington & Georgetown r. r. Co. w. D.
Spignuls coffee store was ON the northwest
corner of Seventh and X streets; William Dunk
horst,s tobacco store, the northeast corner,
displaved for years one of the familiar wooden
Indians in front Of the door; Rupperts rest
aurant on the southeast corner OF New York
avenue and Seventh; Gustav Harttgs hardware
store northeast corner Seventh and K streets.
Directly In front Of Mr.. Hartig's store on what
is now q most attractive public parking, and
opposite the old market, small circus shows we're
given under a single tent. Afterward they were
allowed to show west of the market, on the
unoccupied part Of Mount Vernon Square, a
portion of which was the cattle market. An
old three-story frame building occupied by
George NJ Bankers sash and door mill, known
as Noahs Ark, occupied the end OF the square
ut Seventh street, Massachusetts, avenue and K
street. RACED long since to make place 1or the
handsome brownstone and brick Home Savings
for years. On the southeast corner of Seventh
street and Massachusetts, avenue the Oriental
Restaurant of Augustus Coppes and several low
gable-roofed frame buildings, replaced by the
fine brick buildings Of the jackson Furniture
Co. and on the southwest corner of Seventh
and K streets the grocery store Of Wilson &
Schultz; Charles Dismer's restaurant next on
the west and the paint store Of Richard Rig
giles, w. F. Reamer's furniture store on the
corner Of Eighth. A frame residence was OPP