Evening star., 1941-11-02
BY John Clagett Proctor.

independence avenue-or what was for
many years. and until recently, B street
southwest-is fast changing its appear
ance, and what was once the northern
boundary of the Island will not be
recognized soon by the early Washington
mans who knew it during its best resi-
Dental period. when some of the city's
foremost families resided here, and by
some who may even recall the days when
there were but few houses in sections of
this thoroughfare, in ante-bellum days.
But things have changed and now Inde-
pendence avenue is to be widened
throughout and perhaps extended to the
Potomac River and become one of the
Capitals finest boulevards, though to
the former residents of old street it
will never look like home again
All Of the early structures east of Sew
enth street on the south side of indie
pendence avenue have already been re-
moved. and those remaining between
Seventh and Eleventh streets will be
removed as soon as the development
plans progress.
About the most historic landmark on
this thoroughfare is the old Columbian
or National Army, Building, at the north
west corner of Sixth street and this
building will probably not be removed for
some time to come. 1t was erected in
accordance with the act of Congress
approved March 3, 1855, and when the
Civil War came on it was taken possess
sion Of by the Government and became
. part of the Armory Square Hospital.
Foreign Exhibits
After it was vacated by the War De-
partment it remained unoccupied for
some years. Toward the close of the
Centennial Exhibition of 1876 a number
of foreign governments gave to the
United States an enormous amount of
exhibits for the National Museum, this
building not being occupied until 1881.
Knowing that space must be secured
Immediately in which to store these vast
collections. Congress. upon the request
Of the Smithsonian Institution. turned
over the armory for this purpose. Later
1t became the headquarters of the Fish
Commission and of its successor, the Bu-
reau Of Fisheries, which remained in this
building until the Department of Com
merce Building was recently completed,
when it was moved into that fine struc-
ture
The old armory first came into par
ticular notice at the time of the John
Brown raid. which began on Sunday
night, October is, 1859. more than 80
years ago. and regarding what hap
pened there on this date and on the
following day, The Star of October l8,
1859, said:
"A Night of Alarm-The Harpers
Ferry acknowledgements in This
City.-Upon receipt of the intelligence
In this city, yesterday, of the insurrec-
ton at Harpers Ferry. the President is
sued orders to Col. Harris of the United
States Marine Corps to dispatch all
the available force of the barracks (per
special train) to the scene of the diff
culties. In one hour from the receipt OF
the order, detachment of marines and
non commissioned officers Of the corps,
under Capt. Green, arrived at the rail-
road depot The detachment consisted
Of 81 privates, II sergeants, 13 corporals
and one bugler.
They took with them seven guns,
Dahlgreen howitzers (three from the
Navy Yard and four from the barracks,
800 shells and large quantity of am
munition. They also had ample sup
plies for several days service. Quite
number of gentlemen volunteered to go
up with the troops, but they could not
be received. The marines we're received
who communicated to Capt. Green his
instructions as to his course of action
when he should arrive at the spot.
Maj. Russell of the naval staff ac-
tions from the Secretary of War. When
1t became known that an anonymous
letter had been received by the Secre-
tary of War some two months ago, CIV
ing warning of an organized attack to
be made simultaneously upon the armory
works at Harpers Ferry, Wheeling and
Washington, considerable apprehension
was felt by the Government and munici-
pal authorities, and measures were in
stantly taken to the end of extinguish-
ing any possible disturbance that might
take place at this point
Another item appearing in The Star
under the same date says:
1.-THE Affair at Harpers Ferry.-Yes-
terday the President was in consulta-
ton some hours with the Secretary of
War and Brevet Col. Robert E. Lee,
lieutenant colonel at I'd Cavalry, U. S. A.,
who, it was determined, should COM
mand the United States troops to be
concentrated at Harpers Ferry. The
President, while with these gentlemen,
received dispatches from the Baltimore