Evening star., 1933-05-14
M STREET NORTHWEST go YEARS AGO

When Mrs. Dahlgren built this house. which
was quite = mansion at the time. and which
no doubt cost her quite sum, due to the fact
there was then q boom on in real estate In
this neighborhood, she no doubt felt like
every one else that she should receive . fair
return on her investment and in this connec-
ton an old story has been told Of an alleged
interview which took place between Mrs. Dahl
gren and Lucus Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar
when that distinguished Southern Senator en-
tered the cabinet Of Grover Cleveland in 1855.
As the story goes, 1t seems that Mr.. Lamar
was looking for . residence in keeping with
the dignity Of his position Secretary Of the
Interior and that he had gone to see Mrs.
Dahlgren, whose residence at Thomas Circle
was to let. After looking the residence over,
and finding it to be highly to his liking. he
inquired to the rent, when he was informed
1t would be $500 q year. This sort Of nom
plussed the Secretary, and he leaned over,
resting his head in his hands. He remained in
this position so long that Mrs. Dahlgren be-
came alarmed, and finally said: Are you III,
Mr.. Secretary" To which he replied, Is he
Strengthened himself up: "Oh no, was just
wondering what I could do with the remaining
five hundred dollars" Fer it so happened
that Mr.. Lamar was not a rich man by any
means and depended almost entirely upon the
salary of 5000 which a cabinet ofhcer re-
ceived in those days
East Of the Dahlgren house, at the southwest
corner Of M and Thirteenth streets, many VII
recall the Gamble Market conducted in 1885.
according to the city directory by Mrs. Sarah
L. Gamble, who lived with her husband at 1918
Eleventh street northwest As the writer re-
calls 1t, these were the parents of Miss Marie
Gamble who was an original member Of the
FioradOra sextet; made a fortune in Wau
Street. and after divorcing Harry Wimsatt mAY-
ried Freddie Gebhart celebrated sport and I'd.
mirer of Lily Iangtry
At 1913 NJ street lived at one time David
Jayne Hill, educator, diplomatist and his
torian. Almon NJ Clapp, public printer many
years ago. resided At 1904. in the same street.
The plat book Of 1874 shows as owners of prop
erty on the north side of M street between
Tenth and Eleventh: William Durr Ellen +.
Cowen. Samuel Norment and Samuel H Wallis.
and on the north side of the same street, be-
tween Ninth and Tenth: Henry H. Wallis,
Elizabeth NJ Sheldon Arlington Fire Insurance
Co, Joshua A. Ellis, Nellie Hanlick John Van
Reswick. National Life Insurance Co. Of the
United States, Enoch Totten transferred to T.
B. Keogh). Samuel T. G. Morsell. Lot west of
alley: William H. Birch transferred to C. NJ.
Cook. Charles H. Beavans. William p G.. Car
rington. James Fraser, Mitchell H. Miller,
Lewis J. Davis and the National Savings Bank.
1Ne piat DOCK IOf 1919 SHOWS as Owning
property ON the south side Of M street, be-
tween Ninth and Tentfr: John W. Simms,
Alexander ]. Bentley, John W. Powell, Fannie
H. Larribee. William H. Bailey. and to west Of
alley: Daniel P. and P. B. Wright, George II.
Plant. and toward corner of Tenth street: La
vinia c. Francis Richard S. T. Cissell Ben
jamin F. Burns Virginia A. King and Thomas
w. Phillips.
Recently in checking UP the old residents
along M street between Seventh and Four
teenth streets the writer had the assistance Of
Frank L. Sticlmey and Herndon Morsell. both
early residents Of this thoroughfare. Mr. Stick
ney living for Q long while between Sixth and
Seventh streets and Mrs. Morsell, between
Ninth and Tenth. Both of these men saw N
street grow. Mr.. Stickney is native WASH
ingtonian and Mr.. Morsell was born in nearby
Alexandria. According to their information,
and what the writer has supplied himself, the
following persons lived in this block around 50
years ago.
Where the undertaking estsbshm mt is nov
located, at 928 M street. lived in 1873 George H
Plant and his son. A. Clinton Plant and at 0l8
another son. George H.. jr, who chief dis
tributing clerk Of the Post Office Department.
Later No. 928 was occupied by the widow Of
Samuel Norment. At 914 lived William h
Bailey, superintendent of the Washington Gas
Light Co., and Harry o. Bailey, plumber
At sls. in 1885. lived Charles Schaf1er, and
in 1880 We ind John w. Sinus residing At
s20. Charles Kloman. restaurateur, had his
home at 9l8 NJ The site of his place of busi-
ness on Seventh street is now occupied by the
Lansburgh department store John w. Powell
the celebrated ethnologist, who was for many
years chief Of the Bureau of American Eth
nology. had his home at go and then came .
Miss Trader whose mother, it is said. devoted
her entire fortune In disqualification work for
Southern soldiers. Mary L. McComas lived at
902 and SimMs' wood and coal yard occupied
the southwest corner of Ninth and M streets.
IN the northwest corner of Ninth and n
~ streets. according to Mr.. Stckney, Ham
line NJ E. Church had its origin. Some time
ago the writer picked up this item from The