Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-08

old mansion where life, gayety and dig
nifty once prevailed, and find it stripped Of
all its former glory and greatness the
Z old family that gave it caste and stand
ing all gone away, some never to return,
while those remaining behind look on with pity
at the old home that means much to them but
can mean little to those who know naught OF
its history or the family ties that breathe fond
recollectionS Of yeSteryear
At the northwest corner of Sixth and M
streets northwest there is just such a mansion
as the writer has in mind-artistic, stately,
but showing the traces of better days. Indeed
at one time it must have been one OF the
finest homes in Washington, for it was built
about 1858 by William Stickney, who had mar
ried the daughter of Amos Kendall, and here
the latter distinguished gentleman passed
away November IL, 1869, at the advanced age
of 81 and from the parlor his body was borne
to Calvary Baptist Church, where services were
held This edifice was erected with funds
contributed by him and partly regretted
through his generosity after it was destroyed
by fire q short while after the church was
completed. He buried in Glenwood Gene
terry and beautiful monument marks the
spot.
Mr.. Kendall was an unusual man. He was
born in Dunstable, Mass, August 16, 1789 "of
the plain and hardy yeomanry OF that district,
as it has been said and his education was
secured under difhculties usual to such an
environment. Before graduating from Dart
mouth College he had entered as student
there five times in the four years required for
this purpose, and each time he re-entered the
class he had to take examination to do so.
The necessity for this was lack OF funds 1or
at intervals he was compelled to leave college
and teach school at SIG month, never getting
more than SIS, in order to return to college
and be able to pay his tuition and resume his
studies.
He 5tudied law, settled in Georgetown, KY,
and engaged in newspaper work there, later
moving to Frankfort, where he took charge OF
the editorial columns of the Argus. Always an
admirer and supporter of Gen. Andrew jackson,
he willingly accepted during that PRESIDENTS
first administration the position OF fourth audit
or of the Treasury Department, and during OLD
Hickory's" second term became his Postmaster
General a post which he retained well into
the administration of Martin Van Buren,, when
he resigned to engage in editorial pursuits
Mr. Kendall was notably connected with the
successful introduction of the telegraph, and
was given by Prof S. F. B. Morse liberal
interest In the enterprise. However, his found
ing of the Columbia Institute for the Deaf and
Dumb will probably be considered a greater
cause for his name to be remembered.
IN the recent visit to this once palatial
~ home the writer had with him Is friend
and guide Frank Lewis Stickney son Of the
late Francis Henry Stickney, for 80 years dis
bursting clerk of the Navy Department, ana
nephew Of William Stickney. who win be
recalled by many as q prominent local banker
of some years ago. Mr.. Stickney pointed out
the library, the dining room. the parlcf' ana
other places Of interest, including the upstairs
front room overlooking NJ and Sixth streets.
in which Mr.. Kendall passed away, asking Juss
a few minutes before the end came that the
inside shutters Of his room be opened tnae
he might see the rising sun, at the same time
turning his face toward the window which
faces the east and placing his hand under his
head. The sky was painted in gorgeous
colors" we are told; "he gazed intently Tor o
few moments at the glorious picture and then
family whispered. How beautiful, how beaua.
full closed his eyes, and calmly, gently breathed
his last"
The beautiful marble mantels are sttl as %
vore and the massive solid mahogany doors
and trimmings remain the same. When erected
the stairway was q dream Of construction and
it took o real stair-builder to do the work.
ana TIE heavy carved front doors which have
often opened to admit notables of the highest
order still stand guard as they did more than
go years ago. The architect OF this bundlng
was Adolph Cluss and the cose around $4,000.
william Stickney, the son-in-law OF Mr..
Kendall, also died In this fine old home, and
his funeral took place from Calvary Baptast
Church.
IL Yves "a years old at the time Of his death.
] October Is, 1881, and was prominent In
banking circles being the president Of the
National Savings Bank, National Safe Deposit
Co. secretary of the Board Of Indian Com
missioners and secretary Of the directors OF
the Institution for the Deaf and Dumb. HIS
funeral is said to have been one Of the largest
ever held In this city. The Star in it's account
Of the obSequies has this to say:
'~The funeral Of the late william Stickney
took place yesterday afternoon from the Cal
vary Baptist Church. The remains. encased
in a handsome cloth-covered casket, with
silver bar handles and plate, were removed
from the family residence, Sixth and M streets,
about IL 80 O'Clock to the lecture or Sunday