Evening star., 1935-04-07

thing but reputable. On the evening
Of the day Of this celebration, the
legation was elegantly illuminated,
and drew out a large collection of
the people of town and city. The
Minister'S coach, its four-horse team
and the entire outfit were gorgeous.
The coachman's seat was Of fine, light
drab cloth, edged with wide silver
fringe. The coachman and two foot
men were clad in red velvet coats
and knee breeches, terminating in
white silk stockings, finished of with
silver buttons and small buckles at
the knees and large silver buckles on
the insteps of the shoes. 1t was the
first display Of that kind witnessed
here, and caused wonder The small
street boy followed with yells of de-
light"
Referring to the "Six Buildings" "
he continues: while lived opposite
between 1908 and 1922, Richard Rush
was tenant in the westernmost one
of the row. He was then member
Of the Presidents cabinet"
Two years later-September 26,
1903, Mr.. Birth is found reiterating
his statement regarding Minister
Bagot. saying:
"Twenty-fifth street, north of K,
had but one house on it. the large,
double brick spoken of in a former
paper. at L. occupied by United States
Marshal Lieut.. Ringgoid. and after
ward by Mr.. Bagot, the English Min
lister, and now Columbia Hospital"
Mr.. BIRTH was born on Pennsyl-
A'A vania avenue, between Twenty
first and Twenty-second streets. oppo-
site the "Six Buildings" on January
IL, 1908. The place is not more than
three blocks from where the Ringgold
house stood He wrote a number of
stories about the west end part OF
Washington. and contributed to The
Star considerable of his early recol-
lections. His writings were generally
regarded as authentic, and he was
highly regarded among his fellow citi-
zens, as might be assumed from the
following sketch Of him appearing in
the Washington press of Sunday,
April 20, 1900, when he was 90 years
old. The sketch reads:
"William w. Birth is a native of
this city, and is the oldest member
Of the society, as he is the senior in
point of years, having been born op-
posite the Six Buildings, on Penn
sylvania avenue, near Washington
Circle, on January II, 1908. Mr..
Birth Is of the opinion that II the
young men now would live as he has
lived, more of them would give prom
ise of attaining a good old age.
Although 90 years old, Mr.. Births
memory is remarkably clear and ex-
act, and he is physically as capable
as ever, save for the effects Of re-
cent accident which crippled his
lower limbs. He remembers many
amusing incidents of his boyhood
days; how the teachers used to fog
the boys, and how the boys used to
treat the teachers In return.
After leaving school in 1923, he
went to work for his father, who kept
a marble yard, and remained with
him for 10 years. In 1888 he went to
Raleigh, N c., to superintend the
construction of the masonry work OF
the State house in that city. The fol-
lowing year he joined Capt. D. Bing-
ham, a civil engineer, and went with
him to Alabama, where both accom-
plished the surveying fol three lines
Of railroad. All three roads failed, as
did many OF the cotton planters and
merchants in 1837-40.
"Mr. Birth returned North and ac-
cepted q position in the Office Of the
Baltimore American. At the end OF
three or four months he came back to
Washington. and was employed as q
clerk in the jewelry store Of Robert
| Keyworth, on Pennsylvania avenue
! near Ninth street. He married rel
ative Of mis- employer in 1884, but his
wife died a year later. From that
time MFR. Birth has lived the life Of a
widower. His professional services
have been employed by the Govern
ment upon several public works Of
| importance. He ceased the exercise
of an active career in 1887 Mr.. Birth
has only lately commenced to wear
glasses"
THE treaty referred to, as having in
l all likelihood been negotiated in
the Ringgold house BY Mr.. 1sgot and