Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-08-25
Hectic Days on Potomac Am
President Madison and His
Cabinet Left To7vn as Gen.
Ross and threading Host Set
Fire to the Public Buildings.
arsenal Explosion.

Ball, Charles w. Goldsborough, Mt
Browning, George Boyd. Peter Colt.
James Watson. Henry Shepherd CID
con Davis, James Brooks, Joseph SheI
herd. James Thompson, Peter Day.
Alexander Reed and John Palmer"
IN THE District of Columbia, Jamt
Lawrenson is said to have lived Il
be the last survivor of the Association
of Survivors Of the War Of 1912. Oh
April /, 1874, he was elected nenbe
of the Association of Oldest Inhabit-
ants and died about 1883.
Naturally, the burning Of Washing
ton was humiliating to the Americans
However, the victory was not near so
important as a number Of those
achieved over the enemy, notably,
Jackson's victory at New Orleans. the
defense Of Plattsburg and MacDon-
ough's defeat of the British on Lake
Champlain, and. Of course, Perry's
victory on Lake Erie, when that young
captain, only q years old, who had
never seen a naval battle, defeated the
seasoned British tars and signalized II
with that famous laconic dispatch:
I'VE have met the enemy, and they
are ours"
Recently the writer received letter
which he believes the public would
like to read, because it comes from an
old Washingtonian who still keeps up
with what Is going on in the city.
1t follows:
st. Louis. Mo, July %, 1885.
John Clagett Proctor,
The Evening Star,
Washington, D. O.
Dear Sir:
Received a copy Of The Sunday Star
from home washington has been the
family home since 1861 and glimpsed
half page Of pictures that interested
me greatly. The first to catch my eye
was the Office of The Critic. 1t was
at the Critic, in 1879, that I started
my apprenticeship as printer, serving
there until 1882, when the Southwes
attracted me. And it was during my
time with the Critic that the assas-
sination of President Garfield oc-
Cured. Since 1882 have lived il
Washington only six months. but hav'
kept In touch with the District throue..
the family or by frequent visits.
The first night spent In Washing
ton was in the hotel in the st. Clouo
Building (being called the st. Cloud
believe). The proprietor, Mr.. Hill
man was personal friend Of my father,
Thomas NJ Rsdd. for over thirty years
connected with the Treasury Depart
msnt, in Kentucky and at Washington.
And the group showing Harry
Stamford and the Rheerns brought
back memories Of school days, and
Clarence Rheen was personal friend
of mine, and we attended the same
school, the Franklin. but Clarence was
a little ahead Of me in grades, being
a little older.
And I knew Harry Stamford well,
and sold papers at the corner OF Ninth
and F streets after school hours.
Your mention of what occurred at
your school on the day Of the Patent
ONCE fire reminds me that the same
thing occurred at the Franklin School
as did at your building at Ninth ana
s streets.
We could see the fire plainly from
the Franklin, and when the noon re-
cess came almost every scholar started
for the vicinity of the fire. Do not
believe there was corporal's guard
In any room when the noon recess
was over.
Intend to keep these pictures and
the article accompanying them.
Spent three weeks in Washington
about two years ago, and found
much different city than that which
I envisaged in the seventies. when
first I came to live In the District.
Have quite a number of pictures
and stories from The Star. when a
page was conducted under the name
of The Old Rambler.
With your city undergoing q re-
making, many landmarks are disap-
pearing as q result, but the ones men
toned appealed to me owing to my
association with them, In way.
Thanking you kindly. remain, SIN,
cerely yours, T. =. Redo.
4l03 Magnolia avenue,
81. Louis, NO. al