Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-09-15

structures IN tTle capital, anu fTiIlC
thrilled at the thought of moving
into such well-appointed and mag
nificent educational plant.
Sixty-eight years ago, John E.
Thompson, principal of another gen.
Grafton, no doubt was just as en-
Unused as Mr. Smith is today, over
the old jefferson School building
that was dedicated on December Z,
1872 There are probably few left
who recall the opening of this early
building, now known as Jefferson
Junior High School. considered at
the time one of the most up-to-date
and complete institutions in the
country.
Many of the foremost and most
substantial people of Washington,
some now advanced in years, have
attended and perhaps graduated
from the old Jefferson. and although
they will agree that the new build
ing represents a move in the right
direction. nevertheless. their hearts
will always be with the earlier build
ing with its fine corps of instructors
and, most Of all, with the thought OF
the good old friends of yore, those
Vith whom they associated and
mingled IN childhood days.
Wooden Structures.
The old Jefferson building stands
on what Is known as School Square,
between D and E and Fourth and
Sixth streets SW. and the first public
school erected there. in 1845, was on
lot 8, which was purchased from
Thomas and w. w. Corcoran for
$3.50, the deed being dated March 49,
1S45. This original building was OF
brick, two stories high, 81 feet 8
inches in width by At feet 10 inches
In length and had 12-foot ceilings
and evidently faced Sixth street.
Subsequent purchases in this block
included part of lot 9, from John M.
Springman, May IL, 1850, for s3,525;
part of lot 9, from Patrick O'Brien,
May "a, 1860, for sl.1O0; part of lot 9,
from George Wright, May %, 1860,
for 1928: lot No. 10, from Richard
Barry. May II, 1860, for 1890.
After the erection of the small,
original building on this square, nine
wooden one-story, one-room build
ings were added between the years
1850 and 1889 The early brick
school was valued at $500, while the
nine wooden structures were only
worth 500 each.
First Teacher.
For many years the South Wash
ington schools we're in what was
called the fourth district, now des-
ignated as the fourth division, and
the elementary schools of that Sec
ton are now a part of it. The first
teacher in School Square, where the
Jefferson Building stands. Of which
the writer has record, was Henry
Hardy. In 1849, Mr. Hardy resigned
and Mr.. Thompson succeeded him
as principal of the school, assist
ed by Mrs M A. Hinton.
A historic event occurred in 1865,
when the scholars of the fourth
school district turned out with the
other city schools to welcome the
return of the veteran Armies OF
the Union on the first day of the
grand review.
Debates.
Cpon this occasion the Southwest
division turned out with music,
flags and banners, together with
Trustees Holmead, Murtagh and
Ellis. the male grammer school be-
ing represented by Mr. Thompson,
the female grammar school by Mrs.
M A. Amidon. Other fourth dis
trict teachers were Geneva A. Reed,
male intermediate; Mary A. Lee,
female intermediate, and the Sec
ondary schools were represented by
Seville Boiseau, Mary E. Martin,
nary A. Brown, Sarah E. Eckloff,
Hattie J. MCGEE and Mary F.
Walker.
One of the particularly interesting
things connected with the early days
of this school was the Jefferson Lit
erary and Debating Society. the de-
bates being carried on principally by
young men, who the writer has been
told included among others Willard
r. Thompson. Frank B. Moves, DR..
Raymond T. Holden, w. A. johnson,
J. T. Tayler, Richard S. Anderson,
William A. Johnson, Alfred T.
Cowie, Henry F. Clark, H. c. Ander-
son. Douglass Miller. E. D. Wright,
E. C. Blunt. w. E. Thomas, Delvan
w. Gee, George B. Clark and Wilton
Jackaye the actor.
Smoking?
It is quite likely that this society
was organized as early as 1872, and
It certainly was in existence prior
to April 10, 1874, since a program of
this date includes among its num-
bers what was called very serious
debate" the question for discussion
being shall smoking be allowed
during our debates?" Represented