Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-05-29

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Mr.. Donoho was clerk in the Office of the
National Intelligencer and, according to the
city directory lived on this corner at least until
1866, which would indicate that the present
structure was erected Subsequent to that date.
But the building at Ninth and D streets, it
seems was actually owned by joint stock
company and, unfortunately, in April, 1880,
serious trouble arose which could only be set
tied by the courts, and its decision left no
alternative for the association but to move
which it did to quarters at 8e4 street, where
1t remained until September, 1882, when it
moved to the building which had formerly
been Chamberlin's Club House. at 14O9 to 1411
New York avenue
A T this time John G. Ames was president
his predecessors from 1852 having been
Alexander H. Lawrence, Zalmon Richards o. c.
Wight, T. j. Magruder, William Jones Rhees
j. H. Bradley, il; Richard T. Morsell Mitchell
H. Miller, Henry Beard, Frederick D. Stuart
William Ea1lantyne, B. H. StinemetZ, William
A. Thompson. A K. Browne Gen. o. o. How
ard. Francis II Smith, William Stickney Ed
ward M. Garaudet and Thomas p Morgan.
From 1888 to 1900 the presidents were Brai-
nard H. Warner, Charles Lyman, John W.
Foster, john G. Ames, William B. Gurley, L.
Cabell Williamson, Charles E. Foster and S.
Walter Woodward
cause it was operated by John Chamberlin, S
originally private residence, with ample
grounds about it, extending on the west side
nearly to the corner OF Fifteenth street and
New York avenue. Early in the seventies when
the Washington Cub was organized by a num-
Der OF representative men Of wealth and re-
nown from all parts of the country, the old
residence was enlarged and remodeled at a
cost. 1t is said, of $4,000, and was given the
appearance which it had up to the time of its
purchase b. the Y. NJ. c. A.
When the financial crisis of 1877 came-and
We have had several crises before the present
Strmgency-thc club suffered for want of pat
rona@e. and finally expired. However, the few
years it lasted it was one of the most exclusive
clubs in the city and freQuented by PreSi-
dents statesmen, legislators and men of pro-
found learning. and of course politicians
Alexander r. Shepherd was one of its presi-
dents
On September -, 1882 this property was
turned over to the association, the purchase
price being $4,000 Of which 500 900 was Sc
cured and paid down. However money was as
scarce then it is now-or seems to be- At
least the ~ found it hard to get. and added
to this. the membership had dropped down to
nearly 100 members 1t was, indeed, the asso-
cations darkest days.
1T is said that trouble never comes single
handed, and this surely proved to be the
case with those good people, pledged as they
were and are to do a work that means so
much for the bctterment of the community
and the country. And so we find it next-on
July "a 1895-being visited by fire with the
destruction o. its building and all its contents
Of this The Star said:
The home Of the Young Mems Christian
Association on New York avenue was totally
DESTROYED by fire at an early hour this morning
entaliIng a very considerable loss.
The Y. M C. A. Building was a double
structure on the north side of New York ave-
nue.. 1909 end 14ll. 1t was three story
BUILDING with a basement and had a well
equipped gymnasium in the rear. All there is
left of it now is the front, which stands like
Q shell.
The price paid for the property was s32 O0O
The fire leaves the association practically with
a building site and $4,000 in cash The in
surance is abou. sl3 500. There is balance of
the debt on the building of about $4,000 and
a similar amount will probably be required to
meet the current obligations. Deducting the
$4,000 from the amount of the insurance money
1t Will leave the sum Of $1,000
Following this the association or what was
left OF it. moved into quarters in the Lehman
Building where it remained until the old one
could De sufEclentlv repaired to receive it again
On December 7, 1897. an adjoining lot and
building were purchased for S25 600 in order
to secure more room for the building the asso-
citation hoped some day to put up on the site
But such was not to be, for on January 2, 1898
after great New Year reception-the build
ing was again nearly destroyed by fire
At this time, it is said, the outlook was dark
and gloomy. debt Of $4,000 for current ex-
penses had to be met, land nearly every func-
ton of the association had been suspended
except one prayer meeting week, with an
average attendance of three persons" Then
when everything seemed to be lost, Henry B. F.
mcfarland, later Commissioner of the Dis
Crlct OF Columbia, came to the 'front.' led a
great conservation service, and from then on
new life seemed to be instilled In the organiza-
ton. 1t prospered rapidly and continued sue
cess was assured