davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1938-10-30
early days, being 1000 feet long and
Is feet wide. It cost $4,000.

rs feet wide. 1t cost $l8, 900.
Associated with the history Of this
bridge is the escape Of John Wilkes
Booth, who assassinated Abraham Lin
coin on the night Of April IA, 1865, for
it was by way OF this bridge that he
left the city with Herold, his accom-.
plice. Though the bridge at the time
was still under military guard, being
in the charge of Sergt. Silas T. Cobb.
yet, the war being over, the restric-
tions on passing the bridges at Wash
ington were relaxed, and so, when two
horsemen appeared at the bridge 10
minutes apart. they were allowed to
pass upon saying that they were re-
turning to their homes in Charles
County, Md. Later. when the tug
carrying Booths body, and the pris-
!oner, Herold, came up the Potomac, 1t
was moored close to the old bridge and
the body of Booth was laid out on the
deck Of the monitor Montauk, and
Herold, in double irons, was put in the
hold.
During President Grants second ad-
ministration, this old structure was
considered menace and was removed
to avoid calamity, and a wrought iron
truss bridge erected in its place in
1875, under the supervision Of Gen.
Orville. E. Babcock, Engineer Corps,
U. S. A.
1t was banner day for the East
Washington Citizens Association when
Congress on February 8, 1887, passed
the bill carrying an appropriation Of
$4,000 for bridge over the Eastern
Branch at the foot Of Pennsylvania
avenue. But August rs, 1890, was a
Evening star., 1938-10-30

triotism and everybody entered into
the occasion with enthusiasm and fer
vency and even John Philip Sousa was
there with the Marine Band. In-
deed, it was a day long to be re-
membered and one that it would be
hard to surpass in spirit should an at
tempt be made when the new bridge
is completed year hence.
The celebration was opened with
the firing of cannons and closed with
bonfires. fireworks and a barbecue
There was military parade, and
Company A, Washington Light In
fantry, with Capt. Frank Schwartz
commanding, had conspicuous place.
The National Fencibles. with Capt.
c. S. Doner; the Merchants Rifles,
commanded by 1t. E. L. Dunn, and
the Corcoran Cadets, commanded by
1t. W. F. Morrow, were also in line,
and the Marine Band. with its inim-
liable leader, furnished the martial
music.
The column formed at Pennsylvania
avenue and John Marshall place, and
when the parade started to move a
salute Of rs guns began on the bluff
at the Washington end of this bridge.
G. T. Dawson was then president
Evening star., 1938-10-30

Of the wounded man, went in search
for the admiral, who soon made his
appearance. accompanied by the COM
manding general, Ross, both OF whom
at once offered immediate aid and the
services of surgeon.
Gen. Ross said, am very glad
to see you, commodore to which the
commodore replied, I am sorry I can
not return to you the compliment,
general Ross smiled and, turning to
the admiral. remarked, I told you it
was the Flotilla men-yes. you were
right, though could not believe you
they have given us the only real fight
ing we have had"
1t has always been question in the
writer's mind as to just how severe
the storm was that drove the British
out of Washington the day after their
arrival here, and which, undoubtedly,
prevented continuation of the de-
struction of property then in progress.
But the following item, printed at the
time. and which he came across a few
days ago, gives exactly what he has
been looking for. The account states
"On Thursday evening last. while
our devoted city was in possession Of
the enemy, it was visited by tre-
Evening star., 1938-10-30

lines, derelicts, even housewives. As
one broker put it, they range from
the diplomatic corps to the gutter.
They all have something to sel-a
watch, pair of shoes. an antique.
They can't borrow on these articles IN
Washington. They sell outright with
the privilege Of repurchasing after a
short period and at a slightly higher
price.
Many become regular customers.
This Is true especially of Federal en-
ployes, who visit their favorite brokers
regularly, just before the 18th and 3oth
Of the month. When they lose their
jobs it is to the brokers they go at
progressively shorter periods to un-
load their possessions for cash. One
former employe Of the Government
Printing ONCE had as high as $500
worth of objects in one Ninth street
shop after a long siege Of idleness.
When he finally got a job in the
Social Security in Baltimore after his
last assets were dissipated-it was to
the broker he turned for bus fare and
living expenses to tide him over.
It's not lnheard Of for these brokers
Evening star., 1938-10-30

old silver articles Of all descriptions
found ready market among PAWN
brokers' sales shops here. In one batch
Of metal was a silver umbrella handle.
Such. articles were required to be
broken up for melting prior to selling
to the Government. When the UNI
brella handle was broken there was
disclosed, tightly rolled up in the hol-
low center, q thousand-dollar bill.
Such cases are the high spots in
the small buy-and-sel business along
Ninth street and around the corner
on 3D." They furnish the big thrills.
But the trade Is by no means dull or
stolid at any time. There Is human
interest not to be found in haber-
dasheries or real estate Offices or SUCH
like popular pursuits.
There passes never-ending process
sion Of men and women out of luck,
some only temporarily without funds
between pay days, others on the very
brink Of economic disaster and selling
OH their last possessions.
Consressmen visit these brokers,
and, Of course, Government clerks
and salaried or wage earners In all
Evening star., 1938-10-30
SPANS OF EASTERN BRANCH MADE HISTORY
New Pennsylvania
Days of War and PeaceCitze Association in Providing
Present Brdge-Benning Anacosh aSpansA Also HHorc.

ing them here and there, but more
frequently twisting them OF. their
roots"
Though the Eastern Branch Bridge
generally went by this name, it was
also known as the Lower Bridge, to
distinguish 1t from what we today call
the Benning Bridge, once known as
the Upper Bridge. and by other names.
The three original bridges over the
Eastern Branch were also, at one time,
designated As the First Bridge, Sec
ond Bridge and Third Bridge. The
first was the Navy Yard or Anacostia
Bridge, the second the Eastern Branch,
now known as the Pennsylvania. Ave-
nue. Bridge, and the third the Benning
Bridge.
After the Eastern Branch Bridge
was restored in 1915 it continued in
operation for 80 years, when it was
abandoned, as before stated. How
ever, 1t will be seen that this part of
East Washington was actually with
out bridge accommodations for only
As years u845-1890O and not 76 wears
-l8l4-l890-as some seem to think
The Benning, or Upper Bridge
also called Ewells Bridge at an early
date-was built about 1905, in ac-
cordance with the charter granted
Benjamin Stoddert, Thomas Law and
John Templeman by the Maryland
Assembly January 20, 1907, for the
purpose Of forming company with
capital Of $4,000 to be known q.
the Anacostia Bridge Co.
In this vicinity stoddert owned 8
tract of land called Long Meadows
and Me bridge was built mainly at hi!
expense, probably because he would b,
the one most benefited by it. He i
recalled for his many activities in tn,
new Capital and as . confldant O.
President Washington. He is buriee
in Addison Chapel churchyard. Thi
bridget was put up at auction in 1872:
and it is probable that it then becam,
the property Of William Benning. A
any rate, it took his name as early a!
1928, and was rebuilt by him In 1850
Like the Eastern Branch or Lower
Bridge, it, too, was destroyed for mill
tary purposes in 1914 and later pais
for by the Government. 1t was almos
totally destroyed by freshet in 1889
but was soon repaired by Mrs. Benning
who was then q widow, and who OF
March 5, 1910, made the following
public announcement.
"Notice-The subscriber. in thu
most respectful manner. begs leav.
to inform her friends and the publ,
Evening star., 1938-10-30
Bv Paul Walsh.

Five hundred dollars in an old
camera! A thousand dollar bill rolled
up In the handle OF an umbrella !;
Such are the finds-rare, of course
in Washington's pawnbroker sales
shops.
The $500-in-a-camera incident-an
actual occurrence In a Washington
pawnbroker sales shop on Ninth street
sounds like fiction. A hungry, poorly
dressed, unemployed man offered q
camera for sale. It was an outmoded,
cheap article, worth little. But he
would take anything. He needed food.
A clerk, Milton Silver, wanted to
oblige. (Pawnbrokers are not the
finty-hearted fellows many people
think.) Silver took the camera apart
to inspect it. While he held the front
part up to the light, the better to esti-
mate the value of the lens, the GUS
toner nervously handled the back
part. He noticed a wad of something
stuck in one of the flm-roll slots. He
loosened it.
And out on the counter scattered
three $l00 bills, two Sos and some
smaller ones-about $500 in all. They
had been hidden in the camera q long
while past by the mans wife, who
subsequently had deserted him.
The umbrella story goes back few
years to the Inauguration of the Gov
ernment's silver-purchass program.
When the price Of that metal scared
Evening star., 1938-10-30

Substitute
for Pawnshop Has
Some Thrills.

Editors Note: In the true mean
ing of the -,Dord, paWnbrokers do
not erist in Washington, because a
law prohibits dealers from charging
more than s per cent annual in
terest on money loaned on posses
sions, rate too lou to make patDn-
broking profitable. A real pdwn-
broker is one Uho loans money on
the security of personal property
pledged in his keeping. He is
legally dllo1Ded larger interest than
the statutory rate for other loans.
Wdshington's so-cdlled pdwn-
brokers are merely secondhand
dealers, who buy personal property
from people 1oho may repurchase it.
The dealer must keep the articles
at least 80 days before selling it,
either to the original oWner or an
other buyer. He must make
1Dritten report to the Police Depart
ment daily on articles purchased.
Evening star., 1938-10-30

still greater day for this association
and for all the people of East Wash
ington beside, for on this day the
bridge was dedicated, and everybody
tourned out to honor the occasion.
for here at last was a bridge where
one had been urgently needed for
nearly half century, or ever since
the old bridge was burned in 1845.
The exercises were loud and bolster
Gus, the orators spoke words of pa
Evening star., 1938-10-30

ers. etc. For terms, please apply to
Mr.. Enos D. Fuller.
ANN BENNINd,"
The Mr.. Fuller mentioned was the
keeper or superintendent Of the
bridge.
The present Benning Bridge, COM
pleted in 1884, replaced an earlier
bridge erected in 1892.
William Benning at one time had
as his Washington home the building
now occupied at 6l4 E street, by the
Young Women's Christian Association,
which he erected prior to 1880, and
which Is one Of the oldest buildings
in this part Of the city. He died De-
cember 13, 1881, and Is buried in Con.
gressional Cemetery.
The first bridge direct to Uniontown.
or Anacostia as we now call it, was the
Navy Yard or Anacostia Bridge, which
was erected pursuant to an act Of
Congress passed February "a, 1919,
which incorporated the Navy Yard
Evening star., 1938-10-30

Air Die1D of the Pennsylvania
Avenue Bridge oUer the Ana
costa RiUer, the oldest bridge
in the District, dedicated Au-
gust rs, 1890, 1Dhich 1oiH soon
be replaced.
Evening star., 1938-10-30

Bridge Co., the incorporators being
William Prout,' William Marbury,
Samuel N Smallwood, Timothy VIM
and Adam Lindsay. BY the following
October. after the charter was granted
for erecting this bridge, it was in use,
and it was quite bridge for those
Evening star., 1938-10-30

The old Many Yard Anacostia Bridge 0hich Booth
made his after 1Sdssinating
Anacosa terminal the bridge foreground
the approach the Bennng
Evening star., 1938-10-30

that she has lately. at considerable
expense, had the bridge across the
Eastern Branch repaired; and she is
informed by competent judges that
she can recommend the bridge as in
good order and perfectly safe to ac-
commodate travellers She is willing
to let the bridge by the year to farm
Evening star., 1938-10-30

mendous hurricane, which did great
damage to the houses, blowing of the
roofs Of many, destroying chimneys,
fences, &c. In some parts of the city
every house was more or less injured.
Much injury was doubtless done higher
up the country, where indeed it leveled
an immense number of trees, uproot-
The Washington times., 1938-11-04
DESIGNED EMBASSIES

Count Jules was the consulting
architect for the Naval Academy
and designed Bancroft Hall there.
In addition to the present French
Embassy, he designed the Can
adian Embassy and the jefferson
Apartments here.
He would have played a large
part in the designing of the new
Federal housing projects in this
vicinity, 1t was said, as he was en-
Gagged in this field Of design when
he died.
Count Jules was q member
OF the District Boxing CommiS-
sion from its beginning in 1884
until May, 1886.
An athlete Of ability ever since
his university days at Yale, Count
Jules was well known to the sport
ing world throughout his life.
His interest in baseball, golf and
boxing was maintained until his
death.
He was president Of the Sports
lovers Club, an organization COM
posed Of diplomats, statesmen and
leading citizens who made it a
practice to visit cities throughout
the country wherever great sport
spectacleS were staged.
III health forced him to lead
o retiring life since then at his
Georgetown residence at 2010 Q
Et. N. w.
THREE SONS SURVIVE
Count Jules is survived by three
sons, all Of Washington, Henri L.
j. de Sibour, j. Blaise de Sibour
and Jean Raymond de Sibour.
His clubs were the Racquet, the
Metropolitan, Chevy Chase and
Yale.
Funeral services will be tomor-
row at 3 p. m. in st. Johns Episco-
pal Church, Sixteenth and H
Streets Northwest.
Pallbearers will be Fleming New
bold, Newbold Noyes, Corcoran
Thorn, DR.. James Mitchell, DR..
Harry M. kaufman, L. w. Robert,
William Meredith, Henry Spencer,
Frederick Brooke, George A. Gar
rett, william Rayburn, Ferry K.
Heath and Nelson Parrin, all of
washington, and Samuel Thorne,
Redmond Cross, Maitland Griggs
and william Beard, all Of New
York city.
The Washington times., 1938-11-04

q lead in g
fig ure in
Wash 1 ng-
ton society,
died in the
sixty fifth
year today
at z m e r.
gency Hos
pital fol-
lowing an
operat ion
perform ed
October 26.
Born in
Paris and
educ q t e d
on two con-
t i n e n t S,
the son Of
Count Ca
briel and
Mor T. Ha
The Washington times., 1938-11-04
Classes in Bridge
Planned at Center

Langley Center. at Second and
r SITS. N. E., will hold contract
bidding and playing bridge classes
Mondays at 8 p. m. Mrs: q. T..
Mckinley will be in charge Of the
MlaSgaS.
The Washington times., 1938-11-04
De SIBOUR DIES;
WIDELY KNOWN
AS ARCHITECT
Bon Vivant Underwent
Operation Oct. 26

Count Jules Henri de Sibour,
descendant Of Louis XI. King Of
France, and for two generations
The Washington times., 1938-11-04

eibour came to Washington at the
turn of this century, where he
demonstrated his versatile leader
ship as one of the city's foremost
architects, sportsman, bon
vivant, clubman and social lumi-
nary.
STUDIED IN PARIS
He was a widower since the
death of his wife, Mrs. Margaret
Claggett de Sibour, in August.
Count Jules received his degree
from Yale University and COM
pleted his architectural studies at
the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris.
Returning to this country, he
designed many buildings in New
York City and Washington. Some
Of his monuments here are the
United States Public Health Ser
vice Building, the Investment
Building, the Hamilton Hotel, the
Racquet Club, the Chevy Chase
Club, Freedman'S Hospital, the
French Embassy, the Keith-Albee
Building and the wilkins Build
ing. His last work was the restor-
alton Of Carvel Hall at Annapolis,
Md.
The Washington times., 1938-08-03

ly increased expenditures by the
Government over the comink
years.
In the recovery from previ-
out depreSsions, the consumer
goods industries have usually
shown the way. and happenings
Of recent weeks suggest that
this experience is being re-
peated.
Buying for the fall retail sea.
son. which commences in July,
has started off in good fashion.
Retailers have enjoyed an i'm
provement in business and sens
ing a generally better feeling,
have revised their budgets up
ward but are buying conserva-
lively, content to rely on re-
orders if conditions warrant.
This is a healthy attitude and
should lessen the chances Of re-
actions"
The Washington times., 1938-08-03

along his hight-of-way, and that
he was moving it to market.
HE didn't want money. And
when a railroad doesn't want
any money out Of the RFC these
dayS-that's news"
ut has taken some time for
the effect OF this to be telt," he
said. "Ot course, business al.
lDays hollers, but business notO
has a pretty good tar law.
They Uon't admit it, OF course,
but that is the fact. And the
effect of it is beginning to be.
come apparent"
All in all, the big, genial Texan
left for Europe in a happy frame
Of mind concerning the general
economic outlook.
ITS pretty good" he said.
From a cautious man, that is
saying a lot.
The Washington times., 1938-08-03

ming 40 per cent of capacity. That
is the highest output since the
week of November 9, 1887.
The first effect of such an in
crease" j. A. Rowan, news editor
OF Iron Age Magazine, declared,
lis to provide more work for the
men now on the job.
HIRING MAY START SOON
THE steel industry has been
averaging about Is hours a week
for its employees up to now. AS
the mills step up their schedules
and present workers have 35 to
40 hours. hiring of new men
will start"
With the automobile industry
coming into the market soon,
there is talk in steel circles Of a
top of SIS to so per cent of capac-
ity for October, Rowan said.
The Washington times., 1938-08-03
Hits
Japanese
Bonds

NEW YORK, Aug. 3 (I.N.S.)
The crisis between Russia
and Japan over the growing
hOstiMties along the Siber-
Ia NM q n c h ukuO border
brought a depressed tone and
new low prices to the jap
anese yen, and Nippon bond
issues listed on the New York
Stock Exchange.
The yen sold down 9 points
to 1854 cents, while the low
for the year was 1883 cents
on March 18, foreign ex-
change circles reported the
yen on the offered side today
with no nearby bids. In 1882
the yen was as low as 1894
during the international cur.
rency crisis which followed
the abandonment of the gold
standard by many leading
nations, led.by England.
The market for Japanese
bonds was weak, with Few
sales, indicating the reIuct.
ance Of buyers to commit
themselves in view Of the war
danger.
japanese government issues
did not sell In the forenoon,
and bid prices reported from
the floor Of the Stock Ex.
change were under the 1898
low prices established in yes
terday'S decline.
More than $3.50, 900, 900 In
japanese government bonds
are held by American holders.
In addition, there are pri-
vate obligations, 40 bonds of
utility companies, tOtaIing
tens Of millions more, led by
SIS, 100000 Of Tokyo Electric
Light 6 per cent bonds.
The Washington times., 1938-08-03
When Business Feels
Bottoms Hit, Up We Go!

NEW YORK, Aug. 3 G.N.SD.
"Once businessmen become con-
vinced that a botto mhas been
reached, the psychology quickly
changes and everyone wants to
buy at once" the National City
Bank Of New York and City Bank
Farmers Trust Company noted to-
day in reporting that develop
mentS in trade and industry dur
ing the past month have been gen
orally of an encouraging char
acter." The bank stated:
"The vigor of the rise in the
security markets and the spirited
character Of the buying in nu-
merouS commodity lines have
been impressive, especially when
consideration Is given to the
drastic restrictions placed upon
production during the past nine
months and the prospect Of vast
The Washington times., 1938-08-03
Soviet, Japan Mass
100000 on Border

the Japanese lines, at Shaot-
saoping, retreated more than
800 yards. where they began
constructing defenses.
"The Soviet detachments
which had taken up a position
just over a mile southeast of
Changkufeng Hill are also ap-
parently retreating.
Clouds are low, so no Soviet
planes have been SEEN"
Semiofficial news dispatches
also said a dense fog rendered
the Soviet air force inactive at
the immediate scene of fighting,
save for two planes which bombed
Japan'S military positions.
It was suggested, however, the
Red army commanders are taking
advantage Of the fog to reinforce
their troops.
The Washington times., 1938-08-03
LoyaIists Retreat;
Hundreds Killed.
Cavalry Detachment Wiped Out,
Insurgent Communique Claims

HENDAYE, Franco-Spanish Border, Aug. 0NS) S)-Under
blazing government and nsurgent troops locked in
fierce combat today the Catalan battle front south of the
EhrOR
The Washington times., 1938-08-03
Nations Steel Output
Hits 9-Month Peak

NEW YORK, Aug. 3 0.NSO.
It's back to work for the steel in.
dustry.
Smoke from the stacks of the
nations steel mills is writing a
hopeful message across the late
summer skies for the vast industry
and its workers.
Steel ingot output-regarded as
an accurate barometer of produc-
ton and employment alike-this
week is reported at its highest
level in almost nine months.
AUTO PLANTS KEY
And added to that there is opti-
mistic talk in the industry of
another so per cent increase over
current production by the time
the automobile factories get into
their seasons stride.
This week, steel ingot produc-
tion for the United States is run
The Washington times., 1938-08-03
Three Men Drown
As Rowboat Upsets

ELDRED, N. Y, Aug. 3 Q.N.S0 .
Overlooking of a rowboat was
blamed today for the drowning OF
three men on Washington Lake
last evening.
The victims were Francis Greg
ory, 80, and his brother, Howard
10, of Brooklyn, and Martin Don
ahue, So, Of Jersey City, N. j.
Two women, being given a ride
despite the warning of on lockers
that the boat was overloaded,
escaped death. 'One swan ashore
while the second was rescued.
The Washington times., 1938-08-03
CONTINUED from Page u


were dropping explosives, Korean
army headquarters charged at
Seoul.
Inhabitants Of Kojo were re-
ported evacuating the town.
Two Soviet planes were reported
shot down while dropping bombs
on the railroad bridge near Keiko.
A third was reported Brought
down while 81 Soviet bombers were
attacking Chinsojo. That brings
the .'little wars total of lost
Soviet planes to eight, according to
japanese accounts.
Protest UnansDered
Japan is lodging a new protest
in Moscow as a result of the al
legged air raids on Korea and Man.
chukuo, a foreign office Spokes.
man said.
I'VE are awaiting Soviet re-
action" he announced, since
Moscow did not deign to reply
to the first protest, presented
Tuesday.
It was admitted Soviet artil
lery force occupied a position neal
Mayoshan, 61a miles northeast oi
Kojo, latter which Kojo was
bombarded by planes flying at 9
height Of 5000 feet"
In a later communique, which
claimed the Soviet general re
treat" the Seoul army headQuar
ters telegraphed to Tokyo:
The Soviet troops ceased at
tacking at 10 a. m today.
Their troops, which had ap-
preached to within $50 yards Of