Evening star., 1932-05-22
Early Days in the Navy Yard Section

editor The star; Harrison Gray Otis CdsmhN
State journal who then lived at No. 10 I
street; u II. PaanteH who built the Lafayette
Square Theater, now the Belasco, the Philadel-
phia INQUIRER; Don Piatt, editor of the WaSf1s
ington Capita6 Ben Perley PooFe, Boston
Journal; II. A. Preston dather Of James q.
Preston), New York Herald; J. c. Proctor (the
writer's fst31er), Philadelphia Ledger; Arthur
Shepherd Washington Republican; George
Alfred Townsend, editor. Washington Cepitol
and there were other men well known IN the
journalistic field of that period.
Mrs. Briggs made some additions and i'm
provements to her South Carolina avenue home
and had her friend, Constantine Brumidi-
whose wonderful historic decorations adorn the
"eye of the dome" Of the Capitol-to decorate
her ball room, which he did in his magnifcently
artistic way.
A MOTHER old landmark of much public
service in the southeast section and which
was removed some time subsequent to 1901
the Anacostia Fire Company's building ON
the corner of Ninth street and Virginia avenue.
This company was organized on December 16.
1918, and we find by the following notice
printed in the National Intelligencer of that
date:
Fire Company-The citizens of the fourth
ward are particularly requested to meet at the
tavern of Lawson Pearson Wednesday eve
ming, 18th instant, at O'Clock, for the purpose
OF organizing fire company agreeable to law"
Subsequently meeting was called for jan
uary 6, 1919, for the election of officers but
the time was evidently postponed until Feb
ruary g. when the following officers were
elected at Hemsworth's tavern: Dr. Alexander
McWlliams president John w Brashears Sec
retary; Robert Desher. treasurer; Thomas Hall
day. director Of engineers Robert Clark and
Colmere Bean, ak men; James Friend director
of ladder men; George Adams director of
sentinels; william Prout, director of furniture
men, and Edward w. Clark director of line
or linemen. At first this company was located
near the Branch Market, south of street. be-
tween Fifth and Sixth streets but later when
this building was erected in 1889 on the west
side OF Ninth street. between K street and Vir-
gmia avenue, where No. 18 Engine Company
in now located, the company moved there
In 1863 shortly before the company went out
of existence its president was Thomas W. Cook.
Caleb Burgess was vice president; William H.
Cross, secretary; James A Gordon, treasurer,
and A. D. Shaw, steward.
From 1866 to 1874 and perhaps even later
some OF the lower public school grades were
taught there, Miss Mary E. Armistead and Miss
Maggie z. Sexton being among the early
teachers. Miss Margaret E. Forbes retired
school teacher, but still active in the Society
OF Natives. began her teaching career there in
1873 or 1874
This building was a popular meeting place
Tor various organizations following the Civil
War and the knights of Pythias met here for
long time. 1t meant much to the people of
the Navy Yard, who looked upon it as the town
hall, where all civic controversies we're argued
and settled to the best interests of all, and the
placing of the new engine house on this site
compensated to some extent for the removal of
the old building to which so much sentiment
was attached. Naval Lodge of Masons was then
meeting on the south side Of Virginia avenue
between Fourth and Fifth streets The Odd
Fellows had their hall at the corner of Seventh
CosttinAed on Thirteenth pcoe