Evening star., 1932-03-06

ITeek Park.
Blagden occurs in The Star four days later,
which says:
Funeral of the Late Thomas Blagden-The
funeral of the late Thomas Blagden took place
yesterday from the New YORK Avenue Presby-
terian Church, which was crowded by the rel
atives and friends of the deceased. After prayer
and reading appropriate passage of Scripture,
Rev. Mr.. Mitchell, pastor of the church, and
Rev. DR. Samson spoke appropriately of the
deceased Two verses of the favorite hymn of
the deceased, How Firm a Foundation, Ye
Saints of the Lord we're sung, after which
cortege was formed under the direction of
the undertakers, Messrs. Harvey & Marr, and
proceeded to the Congressional Cemetery where
the remains were placed in the family vault.
The pallbearers Admiral Lee, James P.
Tustin. Chief Justice Casey, William B. Todd,
DR.. May DR. Nichols j. Carroll Brent and T.
M. Hanson. The coffin was of lead, in wal
nut case, covered with black broadcloth or
namented with massive silver handles bestud-
ded with silver-head tacks 1t was lined with
quilted satin and on the lid was a silver plate
bearing record of the name and age of the
deceased"
THE late Louis P. Shoemaker who knew
every inch of ground in and around Argyle,
advanced in years. retained her vigor of mind
and body until the Autumn of 1907 when
her death occurred" death notice in The
Star of November 7, 1853, records the death
Of Emily Silliman wife Of Thomas Blagden
of this city. and daughter of Gold S. Silliman,
ESQ.,, of Brooklyn, NJ "; this, of course be-
ing Mr.. Blagden's first wife.
Thomas Blagden, in addition to his other
business interests had a mill which carried
oroa liv mall Lv,nu ryuIo
Mills from the land patent name Mr. Shoe
maker also refers to the old mill in writing
of Rock creek and Allen c. Clark gives a pic
ture and refers to it in his story of the old
mills In the records Of the Columbia Historical
Society.
Mr.. Shoemaker was born in this vicinity
and loved its old landmarks, and did all he
could to preserve them, and his love for the
scenes Of his youth Is clearly indicated by
what he has said of the Blagden mill:
THE Blagden -four mill and the bone mill
have been obliterated. If this devastation Of
relics continues the last evidence Of the once
thrifty commerce, business and utilization Of
water power along the line of this stream will
have forever disappeared
ut was hoped when the United States
Government acquired this land for Rock Greek
Park, and consequently controlled the stream,
with its unparalleled natural beauty and at
tractive features, that the authorities would
seek to preserve rather than demolish these
evidences of old-time prosperity particularly as
changed conditions had virtually caused their
abandonment for business purposes before the
land was condemned for public park
The Blagden MILL it is true, was dilapidated
when acquired by the United States in 1890,
through the medium Of condemnation proceed
ings. The stone walls could, however have
been strengthened and the relic preserved
In addition to the old Argyle mansion we
have today as a reminder of the past glory
of this once beautiful estate picturesque Blag-
den avenue which begins at about Sixteenth
and Farragut streets and terminates where it
enters Rock Creek Park. Another reminder is
Argyle terrace, which, for distance parallels
Blagden avenue.
Down in Congressional Cemetery the writer
found the burial vault of the Bagden family
simply inscribed
1881
Blagden."
1t Is large brick vault the older part being
built In the prevailing Flemish bond of that
period A heavy iron door prevents one from
seeing the interior Adjoining, to the north,
Is smaller brick vault marked &c. Coumbe"
To the west, across the walk, is the Sauaael
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