davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1939-03-26

street between Twenty-fourth and
Twenty fifth streets NV.
The Crawford or Hill residence
was removed quite a number of
years ago, but as the writer recalls
it, 1t was a brick building, sort of
square in shape and painted a light
color. At one time it did political
duty by serving as the Republican
headquarters. and 1t later became a
school for girls. Next to ito the
west-was the Chinese Legation in
1885.
In the early days of Washington
or what may seem the early days,
when the present oldest inhabitants
were boys-they did not have to
have artificial skating ponds. for
ice formed everywhere there was
water. as story published a num-
Der of years ago will substantiate.
The account had to do with the
death of a famous Russian skater
who had died about the time the
item was published. His name was
Romanlof and he was a champion
Of his speciality.
Skating Exhibitions.
He gave exhibitions of his skating
In this city, both on the Potomac
and on the ponds then in the sub
Evening star., 1939-03-26

urbs of the city, in the neighborhood
Of the brick-yard regions, anywhere
from N to Boundary street. He was
not only a foot skater" the story
goes on to say, but he was specially
skillful in all kinds of fancy and
trick skating, surprising in his gro
tesque way any of the roller skaters
seen on the stage. The particular
exhibition which I remember and
at which I was present." says the
writer of the item referred to. took
place on the ice which had formed
in the foundation of the Luther Me-
mortal Church on Fourteenth street.
The foundation walls had been run
up to about feet high and remained
that way for the years during the
Civil War. The winter rains gen.
orally put about 2l2 feet of water in
the foundation, and when that froze
over, it furnished a near and very
safe place for skating and was very
popular with children who would
not be allowed to go down to the
canal or the river.
"Romanloff gave his exhibition to
some of his friends, who had been
invited to see him by Mr.. Bodisco,
long the Russian Minister at Wash
ington. He was the only skater I
Evening star., 1939-03-26

ever saw who could skate on his
head. He had a fur cap on his
head, on which a skate was at
tached. He would turn a hand
spring from his feet and land on
his head and skate away upside
down. He also did a trick with
skates on his hands and feet, in
which he represented a bear skat-
ing on all fours.
The foundation of the church
afforded skating place rs feet
by about 40. which was sufficient
for him to do his work, the audi
ence standing on the foundation
walls. On the occasion I refer to
he had an audience of several hun
dred, though he afterward did some
distance skating on the Potomac un-
der similar auspices"
Prominent Homes.
In time, of course, after Alex
ander r. Shepherd and the Board
of Public Works started in to Gre
ate new Washington, all the rural
land in this vicinity began to be
built up. and it was not long be-
fore the vicinity of Thomas Circle
Evening star., 1939-03-26

they have had Huey Long send them
out for a sandwich when he began
q filibuster and then tell them to
eat 1t for him because he didn't
have time to stop. They have
watched the Kinglsh rush the
spring season and saunter around
the Senate floor in a new straw
hat and cane before turning them
over to the boy at the door.
A loud explosion in the disbursing
ONCE on pay day brings the Capitol
guard with pistols drawn. It turns
out to be a page with a leftover
firecracker. They're still mischiev-
Gus. A newcomer is sent to look
for Senator Sorghum" an elevator
bar, a bill stretcher, the key to the
flag pole and any number of other
nonsensical errands. 1t takes a
fellow some time to learn his way
around.
But 1t teaches them not to be-
lieve everything they hear" says
Mr.. Kendall.
Pages are boys whose voices are
changing and who argue about who
won the Civil War and who exer-
else at the Y. M. G. A. on Fridays.
Senate Pages High Hat.
Senate pages hardly ever used to
Evening star., 1939-03-26

izing all structures beyond the build
ing line to that date, and all parties
interested breathed easier, especially
Mrs. Cole, whose bay window still
looks out proudly on Gen. Thomas
and his bronze steed.
Around the circle also lived people
of distinction and standing in the
community. Senator Justin S. Nor
rill of Vermont resided at No. /
and G. Wythe Cook, the physician,
at No. g. One the east side was
Mrs. Dahlgren's home and to the
northeast of the circle still stands
the old residence of Justice Andrew
Wylie of the Supreme Court of the
District Of Columbia. This building
is severly plain pressed brick
structure, almost square, and was
occupied by the judge for many
years. To the south we still find
the Portland, one of Washington
earliest apartment houses, and to
the north the Memorial Lutheran
Church, nearly across the street
from which, on the southeast corner
of Vermont avenue and N street,
is what was once the home of Gen.
Montgomery C.. Meigs, who built
Cabin John Bridge and performed
other engineering feats. This old
residence is landmark of the neigh.
borhood and in more recent years
was occupied by Reginald de Koven.
composer of Robin Hood" and other
well known musical compositions.
Luther Place Church.
One of the first improvements In
this section, following the Civil War,
was the completing in 1874 Of the
Luther Place Memorial Church.
Five years later, on November 10,
1879, on the 10th anniversary of the
Battle of Chickamauga-the statue
of Gen. George H. Thomas was un-
veiled, an event that perhaps q
number of old residents still recall
for the incidental exercises wer.
extensive and elaborate.
Gen. Thomas was one of the out
standing officers Of the Civil War
and one of the greatest of American
military commanders. At the Bat
tie of Chickamauga, sometimes
called THE Battle of the West
which was fought on September 19
and 20, 1863. he demonstrated his
great generalship by holding of the
whole Confederate Army of 1000
men under Gen. Bragg and thus
gaining for himself the title of
THE Rock of Chickamauga"
History tells us that this battle,
which was fought near Chicka-
mauga Creek, about IL miles east
of Chattanooga, Tenn, began at
m. on the 18th, without decisive
advantage to either side, and that
upon its being renewed on the Goth,
it was proceeding with varying for
tune when in pursuance OF mis-
(See PROCTOR, Page C-6)
Evening star., 1939-03-26
was looked upon as a very refined

was looked upon as a very refined
neighborhood. Highland terrace
on the north side of Massachusetts,
avenue, between Fourteenth and Fiji
teenth streets-soon had many
prominent residents, including Rep
resentative Theodore Lyman Of
Massachusetts, at 1407. Senator Ar
thur P. German of Maryland lived
at 1409; Senator Thomas F.. Bay
ard of Delaware, and following him
Senator Shelby M. Cullum of IL
linois, resided at 1413. Residence
1435 was built by Thomas B. Fer
gVson, assistant commissioner of
fisheries, who resided there for a
while, later leasing 1t to Senator
George Hearst. father of William
Randolph Hearst, and when he va
Gated it it became the German
Legation.
The United States Fish Commits
sion occupied premises 1443 Massa-
chusetts avenue, and next door, at
l445. was the home of Prof. Spencer
F. Baird, secretary of the Smith
sonian Institution. director of the
United States National Museum and
Evening star., 1939-03-26
Farm and Hunting Land
Less Than Century Ago
Served as Home of Cabinet
Member and as Civil War
Hospital Site

him to his foreign home. She lived
but a short time, and after her
death, it is said, the bereaved hus-
band sent her heart back to her
mother as an evidence of her death.
A prominent member of the cab
met lived in this house at one time
and gave a grand party, at which
champagne was provided for the
presidential party and lemonade for
the "commonerS."
When this house was built it was
the finest and almost the only one
In that locality-all beyond it was
open country. Now how changed! |!
Beautiful mansions have sprung up
all around it, and beyond it wealth
and culture are visible on all sides.
Senator Bayard and Senator Ed
munds have handsome houses in the
same square, the Thomas Statue
is within stones throw of it, and
the Louise Home is almost opposite
to it.
Secretary Crawford, the orig
inal occupant, was a somewhat re-
markable character, too, in his day.
At one time he ran for the presi-
dency. In 1907 he ran for Sena-
tor in Georgia, and had an excit-
Ing canvass, managed to fight two
duels during that time, killing his
opponent in the first one and was
wounded himself in the second one.
He was Minister to France at one
time; was warm friend of La
fayette, who made him his agent
for his American lands. He was
OF social disposition, enjoyed hav-
ing his friends visit him, and his
house was known in the family as
Liberty Hall"
Turned Into Hospital.
During the Civil War the Hill
residence was converted into what
was known as Desmarre's Hospital,
which was opened in March, 1868,
and closed December 2, 1865. Dur
ing the war additional buildings
were added to the residence, the lat
ter afterward becoming the Colum-
bia Hospital for Women in 1866
through the efforts of DR.. j. Harry
Thompson, who was surgeon in
charge from 1866 to 1873, when he
removed to Rome, Italy, where he
died. The hospital is now on L
Evening star., 1939-03-26

commissioner Of Fish and Fisheries,
to use its old title. This building
also housed a part of the Fish
Commission, and in the part that
extended back to N street was the
Office of Herbert A. Gill, the dis
bursting officer for the commission.
Head Of Schools.
Another resident of the terrace,
at 1889, was j. Ormond Wilson, who
served here for many years as super
intendent Of public schools, and who
endeared himself to thousands Of
school children while he occupied
that office.
In 1885 Lewis j. Davis, the banker,
moved to 1411, in this block, the
property going to his niece, Mrs.
Mary Mauro Ryan, wife of Philip J.
Ryan, a naval officer. S. H. Kauff-
mann, president of The Evening
Star Newspaper Co., later took up
his residence at 1921. On the oppo-
site side of the avenue, at 14O4, lived
Senator Julius c. Burrows of Michi-
gan. and Senator Cushman K. Davis
Of Minnesota was near neighbor,
at 1923. Mrs. Annie A. Cole lived
at 1400 Massachusetts, avenue. al
most directly south of the new
church. The writer mentions Mrs.
Cole because of an incident that
happened in connection with her
property at least 80 or more years
ago.
AS many will recall it, Mrs. Cole
desired to build a bay window on
her house and obtained permit
to do so, and proceeded with the
work until the brickwork was al
most completed, when the aristo-
cratic residents of Highland ter
race, opposite, objected because they
said the projection would obscure
their view. The case was soon taken
into court and an injunction sought.
because it was said that the struc-
ture extended too far beyond the
building line.
AS matter of fact. this building
might easily be mistaken today
for separate house, as it points
toward the circle from the angle
formed by Massachusetts, avenue
and M street. The old part and
the new part are easily distinguish
able, the old part, as the writer re-
calls it, being of light color, while
the new is of red brick.
New Complications.
Mrs. Cole, throughout the contro-
versy. stood pat" and even en-
ployed a surveyor to survey the
other property around the circle
with the result-as the writer re-
cells it, after these many years
that nearly all were found to be
in her same position, in that they
were also beyond the building line
AS the controversy increased Sc
did the complications, until a bill
was rushed through Congress legal
Evening star., 1939-03-26

Congressman like pages. They
follow the school records Of their
appointees and often call up Mr..
Kendall on the phone to inquire
about the progress. But they never
try to exercise political influence to
have q failure removed. Some are
Evening star., 1939-03-26

Glasses are held in 45-minute periods
each, both before and after work.
The first one begins at 7:15 am.
Take Civics Course.
Pages take q special civics course
to supplement experience gained In
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-15
STRATT-FRAZER
 NUPTIALS TODAY

Newport, R. l., July l5.-(UP).- Miss Aerielle Frost Frazer, post debutante heiress to the Willys au- tomobile fortune, and Michael Strut O. London will be married at St. Augustus Roman Catholic church this afternoon.
 The ceremony will be followed by a reception. the summer colony's first social event this season, TOT 75 guests at the estate cf the brides parents. Guests will include MT. and Mrs. Douglas Fairbanks. Jr. who ar" rived here yesterday.
 The bride will be given in mar riage by her father, Joseph Wash ington Frazer of New York and De- troit. Her maid of honor will be Miss Patricia Gardiner Of Van. couver. a cousin. and matron oi honor will be Mrs. Francis Taylor the former Leslie Bogert.
 Bridesmaids will include Mrs. John Jacob Astor Sd, the former Ellen tTucky) French: her sister, Mis' Virgin. Fr ch. Hiss Phyllis Giles pie, Mrs. William Q. McKnight. Jr' Mrs. Robert Grant Sd, Mrs. r'hatch' or Winslow Of Washington. Mrs Edward McIlvain Of New York ant Mlsa Cotisielo Villa.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-15
OF
 CONGRESS NEAR
Should Come First Week in August; No Hope for
 Neutrality Program

Washington, July IS - (U.P0 - Senate leaders pointed congress to- ward an adjournment in the first week of August today. They had little hope of reviving President Roosevelt's neutrality program.
 Adjournment fever increased both in the house and senate, despite arf- other appeal by the President and Secretary of State Cordell Hull for repeal of the existing arms embargo.
 "They will have to build fence around Washington to keep senators here much longer" said Senator William E. Borah, R., Ida, ranking member of the Foreign Relations Committee which Tuesday voted IF to II to shelve the neutrality issue until next year.
 There was no indication that the administration appeal had changed committee sentiment.
 Senator Hiram Johnson, R., Calif. charged that the neutrality program outlined in the Roosevelt-Hull spe- cial message to congress yesterday would embroil the United States in foreign wars.
 "It is intervention or military al- liance and we want none of 1t, Johnson said. We want no inter- vention, even if called neutrality"
 Senator Walter F. George. D.. Ga. who cast a decisive vote for post ponement of the question. said he believed Hull's views were worthy Oi careful study but that in his opin. ion the question had been settled for the present.
 Administrator leaders had hoped that George might reconsider hi vote to permit the neutrality bill t reach the senate floor under aI agreement whereby it would not b acted upon until the next session.
 Reaction to the president's ans Hull's appeal generally followed tn lines Of the i2-to.ii division in com | Continued on Page Q
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-15
PROPERTY SALE
 STILL PROBLEM
Owners Near American Company May Seek
 Lower Assessments

The vote by the Board of Alder men to sell the former American Ring Company property for $20, ,00o, already the subject of criticism be- cause an earlier bid of $22,500 had been rejected, may have also the re- suit of appeals by property owners for lower assessments of their hold ings by the city. It was reported to- day that owners of nearby property may seek to have their assessments lowered on the ground that the city, though setting the assessed valua- ton of the Ring Company property at $40,000, was willing to sell 1t for half that sum.
 The claim is that the aldermen, in accepting the $20,000 offer, ad- mitted implicitly that the assessed valuation of the property is too high. Consequently, say owners of nearby property, their assessments are probably also too high.
 Members of the board of asses sors said today that the sale price of the property will have no bearing on the assessment levied against it.. Thus, it appears that the property will continue to be listed by the as- sessors at $40000, while the alder men consider 1t worth only $20,000
 This means that the new owners of the Bank streets factory property will have to pay taxes on property listed at $40000, though they bought 1t for half that amount. One portion of the property was voted sold to John c. Herbst, real estate broker, for $l2,500, and the other to the Wa terbury Farrel Foundry and Machine Company for $7,500.
 The over-assessment claim has been heard in the past. notably be- ing made by owners of property near land and buildings taken over by the city. which are sold for prices below their assessed valuations.
 The aldermen may yet seek to reScind their vote authorizing the acceptance of the $2o.000 offer, in view of the subsequent disclosure that last September they rejected a bid of $2l 1875 for the same property by Miss Sylvia Baurer. The alder manic vote has not yet been ap. proved by the mayor.
 The city will take title to tn. Ring Company property early mex month, It was taken over by fore closure for nonpayment of taxes.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-15
DALLAS ESTATE
 TOTALS $l6,OOO
Inventory Filed in Probate Court; ]; Assets in Flower
 Shop High

The late Alexander Dallas, promi- nent local florist for many years, left an estate of $16,639.4l, accord- ing to an inventory filed with Judge Patrick Healey in probate court to- day. He died Jan. 24 at the age Of 88.
 Among the assets are stock in Alexande Dallas. Inc, and the Dallas Flower Store, Inc, both of which firms were headed by MT. Dallas.
 The inventory lists property on Hewlett street at $3,l00. There are 24O shares of stock in Alexander Dallas, Inc, valued at $l0,200 and 267 shares in the Dallas Flower Store, Inc, valued at $2.46s.4l.
 Other assets include books. s2o; furniture, Si00: clothing and per- sonal effects. $25: l2 Oriental rugs, S700; and i've domestic rugs. s2o.
 Mir. Dallas had been Q resident of Waterbury for GO years at the time Of his death. Born in Scotland. he came to the United States in 1872, and opened flower store in Bridgeport, having had experience in that field in his native country. Ills first business in Waterbury lo- cated on Union street. Later he moved to Bank street and then to Grand street His greenhouses were located on the Meriden road. Hc was one of the best known florists h New England.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-15
FLYING BOATS
 CROSS ATLANTIC

New York, July 15-UP)-Two flying boats raced across the Atlan- tic last nlgnt and today one landed at Its destination. Foynes, Ireland. The other. presumed to still be in the air. was due at Biscarosse. France, this afternoon.
 The flying boat. Transatlantic. on a survey flight of the northt Atlan- tic route, landed at Foynes at 5:5l a. m. (EDT) Capt. Patrick J. Byrne radioed its owners. the American Export Airlines.
 All the way across the north At- lantic 1t was in radio communica- ton with the French boat, Lieu tenant De Vaisseau Paris, and at one time they were only 40 miles apart. The French plane was flying nonstop from New York to Bis- carosse in honor Of Bastille Day. II successful, It would be the first com mercial non-stop flight.
 Both ships took of from New York yesterday morning. The Trans atlantic refueled at Botwood, Mid, Tt was her second survey flight pre- llminary to schednleud crossings with mall and freight. The French plane carried crew of eight and two passengefs.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-15

trustee of the giant drug firm, says in his report that the payment of close to three-quarters of million dollars to the firm of the late Wa. terbury man was not paid to any bank account and has not been traced.
 Law suits against Rowley w.. Phillips of Waterbury, general man. ager of the R. F. Griggs Company and a former director of the Me- Kesson firm and other directors, are indicated by the trustee as being planned. The actions would be based on alleged illegal payment of dividends. MT. Wardall states that any such procedure will be delayed until after the criminal trials of Phillips and others arrested as a result of the sensational McKesson disclosures.
 Truxtun Died In '35
 Truxtun died in mysterious cir- cumstances in Middlebury in 1895, a few months after his firm had been dissolved. He was found lying near a brook, some distance from tho road, and his death was listed as accidental. But the investigation into his death was revived when the federal grand jury began the Me- Kesson & Robbins probe.
 Waterbury has figured prominent ly in the sensational McKesson & Robbins developments since Coster- Msisica committed suicide at his Fair. field home last December. Phillips, prominent local broker, is one ot nine men now awaiting trial on IA counts returned against them by the federal grand jury. The charges in- cl,.de mail fraud, conspiracy, and violation of securities regulations. Several Waterbury witnesses were called before the grand jury of New York, and aff1davits were secured from local residents who had pur- chased McKesson & Robbins stock.
The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-07-15
ACCIDENTS DROP
 RAPIDLY IN CITY
Vigorous Police Campaign Produces Results, Fig
 ures Reveal

Startling accident reductions, ac- complished through Q vigorous police campaign of education and enforce ment, are disclosed in a summary of accident figures for the first six months of 1889 as compared with fig- ures for the same period in the two previous years. Total accidents dur- ing the period from January to June 30 of this year were 253, which represents a decrease of 325 acci- dents or 56 per cent from the same period in 1887, and a decrease of I'll accidents or 40 per cent from the first half total for 1888.
 Reductions are shown in every classification in a summary issued by Police Superintendent William J. Roach after being compiled by Ofiicer James Little, clerk of the accident prevention bureau.
 There were three fatalities during the first half of this year, as com pared with five last year and four the year before. Personal injury ac- cidents showed an amazing de- crease. There were T in the first six months of 1899, which repre- sents drop of 115 accidents or 62 per cent over 1887 and 49 or Al per cent over 1888.
 Thirty-nine pedestrian accidents were recorded during the six month period this year, representing a decline of 88 or e7 per cent from 1887 and decline of 38 or 48 per cent from the 1898 figures.
 Tn l937s first six months the SIS accidents included the following: motor vehicle and pedestrian, l30: motor vehicle and motor vehicle, 37i: motor vehicle and train. one: motor vehicle and street car, four: motor vehicle and bicycle. six: motor vehicle and horse-drawn wagon, three: motor vehicle and fixed object. 52: non-collision. Il.
 For she same period in 1888. the 424 accidents were listed as follows: motor vehicle and pedestrian. 90:
 (continued on Page 9