Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-24

undoubtedly making an excellent narbor for
the rats that have been driven away from their
homes, around the market and commission
stores. Rats do not mind travelling. Indeed
they quite enjoy tramp of a mile or two, and
there is telling just where these rodents
may wind up, and how many families they
may bring into the world to worry the people
of the District long after these buildings have
been removed
Another thing about rats is that they do not
respect persons at ALL They would just soon
gnaw their way into a Senator's home as that
of a laborer, and some of these homeless pests
so far as We know-may seek out a residence
in some really fine neighborhood, and, natu-
rally, when it gets comfortably adjusted in It's
habitat will write all its friends to join it.
It seems the rat problem is a serious one and
should be handled as such 1t is safe to say
that at least half the rats down by the mar
ket site will find their way elsewhere by means
of the neighborhood sewers and the question
naturally is. where will they go?
The thought occurs to the writer that it must
have been very interesting for the rats back
in 1881 and again in 1889, at the time of the
Johnstown flood when all of this area was
flooded with several feet of water. Another
occasion which must have been of peculiar in
terest to these pesky animals was the fire OF
May 49, 1896. when nearly the whole block be-
tween street Louisiana avenue, Ninth and
Tenth streets destroyed by fire; ~ build
ings being entirely Quilted, entailing q loss Of
$2So,0O0. However, the regrettahle and I'M
fortunate part about this IRE was that four
nremen lost their lives. namely. George Giles
Thomas Conway, Thomas Griffin and George
w. Kettler, who died two days later.
THE Old theateF site. originally lot !, square
! $751; to the rear Of the parking u Ninth and
G. II also IN old one. Back In 1910 1t was
owned By James Moore. . prominent dealer in
bacon and lard Of that and later period By
1e3A Il had gone into the hands Of Col. Peter
Force, mayor Of Washington from 1888 70 1899,
who had On Il . building valued at 900. the
lower portion Of which was used IN part for q
shoemaker shop and for other shop purposes.
The upper portion was the coach shop Of
AGr. Peck.
This building, about 1870. gave way for q
larger structure and became the coach factory
q Haslup Weldon and portion Of the
ground floor was used for the manufacture OF
horseshoe nails. Later the upper portion be-
came . gymnasium and subsequently carriage
repository and finally theater.
The site Of the marble building just across
the street. in the basement Of which was once
the Marble Saloon and the street noor more
recently the business place of the Norman w.
Oyster Co, was at an early date owned by
Capt Peter Lenox, who had building on 1t
valued at $780, in which We are told Michael
Shanks was then carrying on the china, glass
and crockery business. Here, at q later date
der company then known as the National
Blues kept grocery store.
Across the street. in the parking to the north
Of the market site, stood the Perseverance En-
gine House even prior TO 1888, when It turned
out to fight the Treasury fire Of that year.
The northeast corner Of Pennsylvania avenue
and Ninth street, recently vacated by Parker
Bridget & Co. is old business corner.
Nearly 100 years ago here was the dry goods
store Of Darius Clagett g. Co., and in our own
time We recall it as Seaton Perrys corner. On
the northwest corner of Pennsylvania avenue
and Ninth street.-the writer beltsves-Stood in
the early days the residence Of William Gum
ton president CT the Bank Of washington, and
for the last so years there has been drug
store on this site
I'M the west side Of Ninth street between
- the Avenue and d street, in $780, were
William N. Daltons shoe store at 306; Louisa
Bartels, costumer and Valentine waldkonig.
shoemaker, at 312, and c. A. Smith. pawn
broker, at 3l4. Sebastian Anan, no doubt re-
called by ever so many people who visited his
emporium and to his art gallery in the
rear, occupied premises 316, while John Key
worth who sold groceries and later exhilarat-
ing connections, had his place Of business I'M
der Pearsons printing Office, at the southwest
corner of Ninth and streets. now moving
picture house.
On the east side OF the street, down toward
the Avenue at No. 305, H. j. Pagan sold wines
and liquors; next door Francis Miller sold
paints and artists supplies, and at 800 ]. A. K.
Moore had his paper Hanging store on the first
floor and ~ G. Johnson had his Photographic
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