Evening star., 1935-09-15

1872, the Obadiah Brown property,
and here 1t remained until about 1878.
when its building at Twelfth and W
streets was sufficiently completed.
At an early date. Mrs. Mary G.
Cabell resided on the southeast corner
of Ninth and E streets. She was for
merly of Lynchburg and had for her
son-in-law Capt. N. H. Vanzandt,
U. s. A., who went South in 1861.
Then came William r. Riley, who con-
Quoted q dry goods store on this cor
ner for many years.
The northwest corner of Ninth and
E streets is particularly historic be-
cause of 1t being the site Of the first
Post ONCE Department in Washing
ton, after the Government moved from
Philadelphia to the new Capital in
June, 1900. The original building was
erected by DR.. John S. Crocker as his
home. and was leased by him to the
Federal Government. 1t was from
here that the Post Once Department
moved to the Blodgett Building. 1t
became the residence in later years
of Joseph Gales, jr., Of the National
Intelligencer.
EARLY in the history Of the city
- a stream of considerable volume
flowed southwark, not far to the west
of the Crocker dwelling, its source
being obtained largely from the
springs in the neighborhood of Frank
lin Square and from the Burne
spring which still exists. it is said, be-
meath the west end of the old Masonic
Temple at Ninth and F streets. 1t
emptied into Tiber Greek below Penn
sylvania avenue.
Up to about the year 1910, long
boats carrying six cords of wood, came
Up this branch during high tide. within
q few feet Of Cannon Row, which con-
sisted Of four brick houses located in
the ravine on the south side OF Z
street. At times, 1t is said, the water
from this stream frequently reached
the doorsills Of these buildings, and
on several occasions, caused the in.
mates to vacate the lower rooms.
Old Temperance Hall. which stood
for many years at 9l4 = street. hac
almost rounded out century when
it was removed early in this year. The
corner stone was laid in 1843 .ano
here many important meetings were
held. According to an unknown old
timer who wrote Of this neighborhood
many years ago, this building was
erected on the site of "a ramShackle
leaning, tottering, caved-in frame ane
tumble-down building used as FAC
tory, and presided over by man
named Fagin.
This building was on E street
northwest between Ninth and Tentn
the site Of the famous and historical
Temperance Hall of later years, ano
where a hotel stands today. Fagm 8
old barracks fell down one day, col
lapsed from the wear and tear OF
age. Fagin was the only one hurt.
He was found in the debris, wrapped
all round with the betting and gearing
as though he had been seized and
throttled by some gigantic octopus.
"old Fagin and Dick Adams and
his father, on D street, in the same
square, were the only turner's in town
and made all the boys wire and
screw plug tops to order at 10 tc
IS cents per-"
It was in Temperance Hall that the
knights Of Pythias was formed ane
held Its first meeting on February ls
1854, and the minutes Of that eve
ming show that:
Upon agreement number OF gen
tlemen met and after some converse
ton upon the subject, they were callet
to order and upon motion OF Mr.
Rathbone q chairman Of this meeting
wN proposed and Mr.. J. 7. K. Plan