Evening star., 1934-04-22
70 THOSE who are practically newcomer.


! to Washington this old island might mean
little. for they could not recall it when it
tanned any of its early beauty of a hundred or
more years ago the magnificent estate of
Gen. John Mason, who married Anna Maria
Murray the daughter of DR.. James Murray of
Annapolis, Md Cen Mason was the son Of
George Mason of Gunston Hall. author of the
Fairfax County resolves, which were indorsed
and signed by the "freeholders and inhabitants"
of that county July 10, l774.
Gen. Mason lived on this island for num-
Der of years, ard here his son. James Murray
Mason, the Confederate commissioner, was born.
and quite likely his other children as we'll His
mansion was one of the most imposing around
the District of Columbia and here distinguished
Americans and royalty were frequently enter
tanned. The grounds were laid out into walks
and no pains or expense were spared to make
it one of the most attractive spots in the
country. Science. however, had not found
way to rid the lowlands of the Potomac of the
malaria breeding mosquito, with which the
place at times became infested, and so, after
living there for nearly half century, the gen.
eral is said to have given up the place and to
have moved back farther into Fairfax County.
where he probably died in l849.
Prior to this, in 1912, we find Richard Smith.
as trustee, transferring title to John Carter
and later John Marbury, executor for Car
ter conveyed the property to William A. Brad.
ley in 1851. In 1884 Mr.. Bradley became
mayor of the city and served until he was
succeeded by Peter Force in 1886. His admin
istration was unusually interesting one, some
of the events occurring in Washington at that
time being of tragic nature such as the at
tempted shooting of President jackson by
deranged painter. But an event Of an entirely
different nature took place in June, 1885, and
to use street expression, it must have been
a scream.
THE District Militia. it seems. had been
criticized for not taking a more active part
in suppressing race riots, which were then not
uncommon. The private soldiers resented the
unfavorable comments, and claimed that any
ineficiency on their part was due to the miser-
able equipment furnished the companies and
to the lack Of proper instruction. They would
frequently be called to headquarters kept loaf
ing for hours and then dismissed; If they did
not appear for drill or instruction, they were
subject to fines that became a burden and.
altogether, their grievances were many.
meeting was held. Nathan Edmonston was
made president and ]. Adams MacDuell, Sec
retary. and it was decided to have a burlesque
parade, the kind that Washington had never
witnessed before and surely not since. An idea
may be had as to how ridiculous it must have
been from the description in the National In
telligencer Of July :, 1885. which says:
AdSt oatuIuay VIII long De remembered py
our humorous and laughter-loving citizens as
a day especially dedicated to Comus, and the
votaries Of fun, frolic and fantasy. Had Herec-
itis himself witnessed the Fantasticals as they
paraded in front Of the City Hall, or as they
marched along Pennsylvania avenue he must
have left of caterwauling and joined in the
general laughter which pervaded all charac-
tiers. conditions. classes and colors, when the
redoubtable Maj Gen. Edmonston assumed the
command of the Independent Thunderbolt
Volunteers and led forth his motley band,
amidst the repeated roar, not of angry and
laundering cannon, but of laughter from thou
sands of eager spectators who assembled to
witness the long-expected military carnival.
las the Fantasticals honored us with a rear
view by passing under our window. We observed
first and foremost, Maj. Gen. Edmonston. COM
mander in chief. He was mounted on a tire.
mendous Rosinante Of black color and bony
appearance. The sides of the huge military
Bucephalus we're chalked with white stripes