Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-11-28

Pennsylvania. those States being also
interested in Potomac navigation.
This caused Virginia to propose a
meeting at Annapolis Of representa-
tlves from all the States to consider
trade regulations. and the Annapolis
meeting proposed the meeting at Phil
adelphia in 1887 which framed the
Constitution. How striking and ap-
propriate it would be if our society
should erect some monument or
marker near the old canal to tell the
many people who pass that vav that
out of the conferences concerning it
had come the Government under which
We live"
IN THE White Lot, where is now
the Ellipse. there were several
frame buildings used for military pur-
poses during the Civil War. and there
was also plenty of space left for play
ing baseball, a sport that began in
Washington in 1859 or earlier. and
continues to be more poplar every
year.
Each team at this time had its own
playing ground. and the White Lot
was the ground of the Potomac Club.
organized some time prior to May 7,
1860, the date The Star records a
game played by the Potomacs and
the National Club that hailed from
Capitol Hill. the former coming from
the first ward In the autumn of
the same year the same clubs crossed
bats again, and The Stars account
reads:
"Baseball-The Match Game Be-
tween the Potomac and National
Clubs.-An exciting match game be-
tween the first mines of the Potomac
and National Clubs was played yes
terday afternoon on the grounds of
the Potomac Club. situated south of
the Presidents House. For some time
previous to the commencement Of the
game the Executive Committee charged
with the duty of receiving invited
guests, were actively engaged in that
capacity, and at the time set for the
game to begin large crowd of ladies
and gentlemen had assembled to wit
ness the exciting sport about to ensue.
The opposing mines we're as follows:
On the part of the observation-disclosures.
Brown, Hibbs, German, French, Doo-
ley, Beale. Wright, McCanant, Benner.
On the part Of the Potomac-Messrs
Smedberg. Bigger. Robinson, Trook,
Hartley, Wood, Mitchell, Camp and
Wise.
The Nationals were dressed in deep
blue pants and jackets and red belts,
with jockey caps and chamois leather
CATERS well clogged at the heel and
ball, while the uniform of the Po-
tomacs consisted of light gray dress
of similar fashion in all respects. both
sides presenting very fine appear
ance, exhibiting as they did some of
the best-proportioned thews and sinews
in this community. The preparations
having been perfected. the word was
given to play and the boys went at it
in fine style. The playing was good
on both sides. many fine strikes. runs
and catches being made. On the part
of the Potomac Club Messrs. Wood,
Trook, Hartley and Bigger batted
exceedingly we'll, and Mr.. Mitchell
exhibited splendid running, often
making a base while the ball WAS
passing from the thrower to the
catcher.
"Of the National Club. Messrs.
Wright. Hibbs, German and Brown
made excellent strikes and very fine
runs. The best catch of the day was
made by Mr.. Dooley Of the Nationals.
a fly catch in the left field from a
splendid strike by Mitchell Messrs.
Hibbs and Bigger won golden opin-
ions on all hands as easy and even
pitchers. while the catchers-Messrs
Smedberg and Gorman-occupied
their difficult posts with honor
THERE are many things besides
this exciting game that Mr.. Lin
coin could have seen when he bad
time to look out of one of his upstairs
windows and mediate over the un-
certainties Of the war Arlington
House stood then, just as it does today,
one of the sights Of the city, where
George Washington Parke Gusts en-
tertained the people of Washington
during the summer months for up
ward of half century and until his
death in 1857.
Closer to the White House WAS the
famous Van Ness mansion and David
Burnes' cottage. located just to the
north of Van Ness Wharf
The Octagon, home Of John Tayloe,
at Eighteenth street and New York
avenue. was probably unobstructed
and could be seen by the President, as
could the Young Casanova house.
where Is now the present plant Of the
at,rAo,, ~