Evening star., 1933-06-11

days was considerable of a problem. for but
one of the buildings for the executive depart
ments was ready for occupancy, and the White
House and Capitol were far from being COM
pleted, while with those coming here in an
official or unofficial capacity it was not a
rather what they would have to take and put
up with.
- E were then in Washington 3210 persons
and 372 buildngs-109 structures of brick
and 263 of wood--or about nine person to each
building. There were buildings being erected
in anticipation of the Governments removal
here but few were sufficiently furnished, for
immediate use, and no one realized this to be
the case sooner than did Mr.. Bradley when
he arrived here on May 80 and found the
quarters selected for him in advance still not
ready for occupancy. Upon inspection he
found them to be inconveniently situated and
at the last minute he was compeAed to seek
quarters elsewhere. A letter written by him
on the subject, dated June 2. 1900, is inter-
eSting.- He says:
I'VE arrived here on Friday last, having had
q pleasant journey as far as We Travelled by
daylight. Capt. Stevenson, with whom agreed
for q house before my arrival was not ready
to give possession. and the house was not con-
venient for US. I have, therefore, taken q
large. three-story house, within few rods Of
Blodgett's Hotel, which will accommodate the
ofice and my family and the postmaster's
once. It Is about equidistant from the Presi-
dents house and the Capitol"
Nine days later in another letter, he said:
I'VE have not been able to open the ONCE
and commence business until this day. left
Philadelphia Wednesday. May 81 and ar
rived on Friday evening, the 18th. The
President left Philadelphia the 26th and
arrived at Georgetown June 1. The situa-
Hcn Of the city Is extremely pleasant and it
WIN probably become the greatest city In Ameri-
ca. We have taken DR.. Crockers house
for this ofice (close by the Great HoteN and
for my family at 5000 year. The apportion-
ment Of the rent shall leave to you. It appears
that $500 year Is as much as ! ought to pay
for house. Our Office Is kept on the second
noor, which contains one large room and two
small ones. The largest room is ~ by II feet
and the smallest rooms are each Is by II feet.
The front room on the first floor was prepares
for Mr.. Monroe,s Office, with an apartment for
blanks. Only half the floors were laid when
we took the house and only four rooms were.
plastered. The owner allowed us to expend
$500 Of the rent to make 1t tenantable. The
carpenters are now at work and we shall COM
plete, as far as our money shall permit, by
the last Of the week, at which time Mr. Monroe
win move his Office here
This combination Post Office Department,
northwest corner of Ninth and e streets and
the site is marked with an appropriate bronze
tablet. Here Mr.. Bradley remained for awhile.
when he moved to q house en- the east side
Of Seventh street, between and streets, and
later to Twelfth street and Maryland avenue
southwest
Abraham Bradley, like his brother, Phineas,
who owned Glover Hill, had q longing for q
country home, and so, In 1914. he pur.hased
from Philip Barton Key and John w. Clagett
ais acres Of the tract known as Chevy Chase
and to this he added IS more acres In 1918.
In 1914 we are told this place came In very
handy as place to hide records sway from
the British, and even some members Of the
cabinet. 1t Is related. found it advantageous
to dwell here few days while the public build
ings were cooling on and until the enemy was
safe distance from the city.
HE Bradleys have always been prominent in
District affairs. Dr. Phineas Bradley, who
followed his brother here in 1901, later himself
became Assistant Postmaster General OF his
two children who survived him, his daughter
married Rev. Levin !. Gilis. for many years
rector Of Ascension Church. The son, William
A. Bradley born in 1884 came here with his
father in 1901 and later. when Of sufficient
age, entered the Bank Of Washington as q run
ner. and 50 demeaned himself as to be rewarded
BY being made president of the bank, and later
OF the Patriotic Bank. He held other important
positions. including that Of city postmaster, and
served - mayor Of Washington from 1894 to
1855.
According to the minutes of the first regular
meeting Of the Association Of Oldest Inhabi-
tants, held In the council chamber OF the City
Han. December Z. 1865. William A. Bradley was
elected first Vice president the other officers