Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1940-10-13

painted, rubbed, and painted, and
rubbed again, until its surface re-
sembles polished ivory. The gold is
laid on to bring out the carving. A
most charming contrast is afforded
in the adjoining room, which opens
up vista of the dining room, with
its rich San Domingo mahogany
panelling and quaint fireplace of
recessed slate. A wealth of delicate
tiles is employed to enhance the
elegance of an exquisite interior"
Choice of Dewey Home.
At the northwest corner of Six
tenth and K streets. according to
an early item and prior to l843,
there stood what was called a mud
house made of clay), put up as an
experiment by H. L. Ellsworth, COM
missioner of patents. 1t was a one
story affair and remained there for
several years. In 1880, B. H. Warner
sold this corner for Senator John P.
Jones of Nevada, for $4,000 Later,
1t was in the building still standing
on this site that Admiral George
Dewey made his home shortly after
his return to Washington from the
Philippine Islands, where he de-
stroyed the Spanish fleet in Manila
Bay, May l. 1898, and here he died,
January is, 1917.
Next to this corner, at 1903 K
street, stands the house, somewhat
modified, where resided William
Howard Taft while Secretary of
War, and here he received the news
Of his nomination to the presidency
in 1908.
In bygone days, when every man
who could afford topper, Prince
Albert coat and a gold-headed cane,
turned out on Easter Sunday and
paraded along Connecticut avenue
with his best girl-who perhaps wore
one of the tight-fltting jerseys or a
mutton sleeve basque and skirt
with hustle effect and train-in ad-
dition to exhibiting their spring
finery on this avenue-lkely also
strolled along lower Sixteenth street,
and maybe, if they were of the upper
crust, they also dropped in at Parson
Hawley's church, as Old ST. Johns
was called at an early date, for it
was a real custom at one time,
especially among the women folk, to
show of the latest creations in
clothing in church, and where to
better advantage could this be done
than at the Church of the Presi-
dents, where even the famous Dolly
Madison, creator of fashion in
Washington for many years. at
tended, and from which historic
edifice she was buried.
Hay-Adams Group.
Across from st. Johns, where now
stands the Hay-Adams House, stood
the residences of John Hay and his
close friend, Henry Adams, erected
in 1885. Mr.. Hays home was on the
corner, while that of Mr. Adams was
next door on the H street side. Both
houses overlooked Lafayette Park.
Here the Hays entertained in an
eminently dignified way quite fire.
quently during the early part of his
premiership, but the failing health
of the Secretary and the disinclina-
ton of Mrs. Hay practically retired
them from active participation in
social affairs for several years. How
ever, the festivities surrounding the
marriage of Miss Helen Hay to Mr..
Payne Whitney were perhaps the
event of their residence here In
which the greatest public interest
was centered. After the marriage
of the second daughter to Mr.. Wads-
worth, which event took place at the
family summer home. they were re-
neved of any necessity of extending
or accepting hospitality outside of
that required by official custom.
And following the death of Mr..
Hay, the Wadsworths occupied the
Hay residence.
Henry Adams, who resided next to
the Hay residence-and both of
these sites are now covered by the
Hay-Adams House-was a noted
historian. Mrs. Adams died in 1885,
and the Saint Gaudens statue was
erected to her memory In Rock