Evening star., 1933-06-04

few Of the older universities of America. soms
of the buildings, generally regarded as In the
university grounds, are not directly under the
control Of this institution, but ALL or nearly
all, fit in harmoniously with its aims and
objects.
The idea Of erecting Catholic university
such the Catholic University of America
was thought of even before the Civil War, but
it was not until the second Plenary Council
of Baltimore, in 1866, that a formal expression
was given to the subject, and even then funds
to begin and support it were not forthcoming,
and could not be secured in sufficient amount.
1t remained for the generosity of Miss Mary
Gwendoline Caldwells offer of 100000, made
in 1885, before the matter finally assumed
concrete form.
After the acceptance of this gift by the
Archbishop of Baltimore, a formally constituted
committee, May T. 1885, decided to name
the institution the Catholic University Of
America. Ground was broken for the first
building, Caldwell Hall, in 1886, and this
building was completed in 1889.
The original purchase of land for the uni
versity was made October 27, 1886, and included
what was known as the Middleton estate, q
tract OF about IS The price paid was
$4,000, and, of course, some one at the time
had to question the wisdom of the choice of
the site, because it was too far out in the coun-
try, but time has proven that an unusual
actually used in placing the university where
1t is
HE grounds themselves contain a certain
amount of interesting history for It was
here that Samuel Harrison Smith, pioneer
newspaper man and first editor of the National
Intelhgencer OF this city, made his country
home, from about 1903 to 1885. Mr.. Smith
came to Washington in 1900 and begar. TO
publish the National Intelligencer and WASH
ington Advertiser, as tri-weekly, on October
81, Of that year. In 1910 he sold out to Joseph
Gales, and for many years subsequent to 1917
1t was published by Gales & Seaton, and be.
came daily in 1914. 1t ceased to exist after
January 10, 1870.
When Mr.. Smith bought the place it was
known as Turkey Thicket. or rather as q part
OF this grant, for the patent by this name
must have been quite tract of land In q
description Of Pleasant Hills grant of $50
acres, it is said it lay close to Turkey Tfaicket
and Mount Pleasant, both of which tracts, the
writer Is told, form part of the Soldiers Home
Grounds. Upon taking possession of the place
however, Mr.. Smith gave it the name Sidney, /,
and N Mrs. Samuel Harrison Smiths book
The First Forty Years of Washington Society,"" :,
edited by Gaillard Hunt, many of Mrs. Smiths
letters are written from this place. Late in
1903, she says: Tomorrow I shall be wholly !,
engaged IN making provisions for my country
residence to which I shall repair on wednes-
day morning"
Mrs. Smiths letters, which, fortunately, were
quite descriptive, frequently covered happen
ings Of several days, and, so, at the end Of the
same letter -unquoted, she says: "At this
afternoon we gotta hack and visited our retreat
I shall not pretend now to- describe it. All
will say is that am delighted with it, A
good house on the top of a hill, with high hills ;
all around it, embower'd in woods, thro' an
nnpnlno nj yuo fho cI,1 av,l
Masons Island distinctly seen. I have
never been more charmingly surprised than in
seeing this retreat.
The Smiths were social leaders in the early
days OF washington and numbered among their
friends and associates the foremost people of
the Republic Thomas Jefferson, author Of the
Declaration Of Independence was frequent
visitor to Sidney and just before he left the
White House Mrs. Smith writes:
Eyes, Susan, do, indeed, feel sorry when
think that we are soon to lose our dear good
President. You know mine is not common
regard that not only venerate and admire his
character, but am personally attached to him.
his long visit last Autumn in the country, in
which had tete-a-tete of more than two
hours, and In which the conversation was free
and various and, might say, confidential, has
made me more intimately acquainted than ever"
Again. after Jefferson had left the White
House, she refers to his visiting her country
home.
There Is every reason f,r believing that
President Madison and the famous Dolly visited
the hospitable Mrs Smith at her country house.
Mrs. Henry Clay and her six children visited
there IN 1911 and 1t may reasonably be as
suned that Mr. Clay also was entertained there.
OURING the invasion by the British in AN
- gust, 1874 Mrs. Smith left Sidney for
Brookville Later, in writing of this she said:
Our troops were eager for an attack and
such was the cheerful alacrity they displayed