Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1939-11-12
CityShocked
of
One of Interesting
Areas Has Been
Blotted Out

by various names, including the
Bijou and Majestic.
Opposite the Opera House, where
Pennsylvania avenue and G street
came to point, was the famous
Marble Saloon, with its entrance
down a flight of stairs on the G
street side.
More than one tragedy occurred
in this saloon, but undoubtedly the
most celebrated was the killing of
Maurice Adler by Frank K. Ward.
Ward was for many years the city's
premier milk merchant. and the first
to establish dairy lunchroom in the
District, which he did on the site
where he built, in 1885, one of the
tallest and most conspicuous struc-
lures in what was then the chief
business area of the city, being 10.
Gated at 929 and 93l D street NV.
The owner of the building had all
the attributes that go toward max
ing good business man, including
socialbility, industry. foresight and
thrift. He was kind and generous
and was subscriber to nearly every
] fund raised by his fellow citizens
for various civic and charitable pur-
poses. and in addition to this, he
headed many local committees and
raised funds himself where such
were needed. For his many generous
acts, he was rewarded with friends
by the thousands. and when he be-
gan the D street enterprise every
one wished him well.
He had already gained reputa-
ton as business man and no one
expected but that he would succeed,
since everything he did seemed to
produce money. He believed In
printers ink and advertised freely.
Poor Adler, who was shot by Ward
on June IS, 1889, fingered until Oc.
tober 3, or for about three months
and a half, though the prayers Of
the public were Tor his recovery.
Trial Of Ward.
Ward was tried late the follow.
ing year before Chief Justice Bins.
ham. His attorneys included the
celebrated Judge jeremiah M. Will
son, who quit Congress In 1875 to
practice law in this city and who
was soon rated one of the fore.
most criminal lawyers in the United
States. A Mr.. Coleman also was
Of counsel for the defense, Is was
the celebrated Joe" Blackburn, .
member of the House of Representa-
tives and Senator from Ken
lucky, who died here in 1918. The
case was given to the jury at $50
Christmas eve, and verdict Of &C.
cidental death was returned two
hours later.
Ward was sympathetic and sen.
sitive and undoubtedly brooded over
the unfortunate affair. One eve.
ming, two years and q half after his
acquittal. according to the coroner's
verdict, he met an accidental death
out on Georgia avenue near Rock
Greek Church road. Speaking Of
the accident at the time, The Star
said in part:
THE scene of the killing was ut
q point only short distance from
where the Rock Greek Church road
turns of from Seventh street, and
although Ward was one Of the best
known men in the city. he was not
recognized for nearly an hour after
the sad ending Of such varied life.
Gar No. Z, of which Neil M. Sweet
was motorman, was the vehicle Of
dao<h and <hA sy{ nf}vv, y,roho 1olx, - >,,>~
knew what struck him. The car
was On Its way to the city 1t the
time Of the accident and the mo-
torman had rung his bell q short
distance from where the accident
happened to warn persons on the
Rock Creek Church road Of the ap-
proach Of the car. Frank x. Ward
was within hearing distance Of the
sound Of the bell, but he did not
hear its warning, and the result
was that he was struck and his
body terribly mangled."
The last sad rites over the re-
mains Of Mr.. Ward were performed
at the home Of his wife, and his
interment took place in Rock Creek
Cemetery, where later was inferred
the body Of his attorney, Judge Will
son. The pallbearers for the for.
mer were H. L. Walcott, J. E. Falk,
Charles Kreamer, E. G. Harbaugh,
A. s. johnson, r. w. Dunn, w. H.
Hoover. r. B. Walker, M. g. Nc
Cormick and T. J. King.
The Ward Dairy Building, which
still stands on D street, went into
other hands, became q Newspaper
ofhce, was the headquarters for the
Jolly Fat Mems Club, and served
many other purposes. Today, few
In the passing throng ever give It
. thought.