Evening star., 1941-06-15

south, emptying into the Tiber at about,
B between Ninth and Tenth streets, or
what is now Constitution avenue. AT
an early date bridges were provided for
pedestrians to cross this stream at E and
F streets.
Burnes' Spring-near Ninth and F
streets-also at different periods known
as Caffrey'S, Federal, St. Patrick'S and
Hotel spring, afforded a flow of two
barrels of water a minute. The rights
to the use of the water from this spring
we're for years included in the sale OF
the property in its immediate vicinity.
An old news item, dated August 4,
1909, and later reprinted in The Star,
has the following TO say OF CaffreyS
spring:
"One-third of the cost of piping water
from Caffreys spring underground along
the streets to hydrants on Pennsylvania
avenue, between Ninth and Fourteenth
streets, will be held by the city govern
ment as the result of an ordinance en-
acted today. This is the first instance OF
the city undertaking TO pay any part of
the cost OF piping water in Washing
ton. The remaining two-thirds OF the
cost will be paid by residents on Pennsyl-
vania avenue. who will be benefited by
the improvement.
"Cafreys spring. which has also been
known as the Federal spring and the
Hotel spring, is located on the north side
of street northwest. short distance
west of Ninth street. 1t has very
copious flow of good water
One of the earliest buildings on the
southwest corner of Eleventh and H
streets was St. Paul's English Lutheran
Church, the cornerstone of which was
laid on June II, 1874. The church was
removed about 10 years ago. since which
time the site has been a parking lot for
automobiles.
This site is surely fine one for the
gas company. whose history runs back
for many years Just who invented
illuminating gas. when it was first used.
or its scientific properties, are matters
the writer will not discuss; however,
gas was introduced into this city as early
as l8O4-or A years before the present
company was formed. To substantiate
this. we find in the National Intelhgencer
of May 81. 1916, the statement made:
IN the year 1904 Mr.. Benjamin Henfry
made experiments In Washington City
and illuminated the chambers and pas
sages of a house on Pennsylvania ave-
nue. and the lamp in front of the house
with gas"
AS early as 1916 an effort was made
here to form company for the making
of carbureted hydrogen gas, for illuml-
mating purposes, but apparently the peo-
pie did not encourage the proposition,
perhaps feeling as they did in Philadel-
phia, that it would be injurious to the
business of the candlemakers and oil
dealers. However. by 1842, the people
of washington felt that the Washington
Gas Light Co. should be granted char
ter by Congress, and so joined in a me-
mortal to that effect, but this company.
or one bearing the same name, had to
wait. as we know. for six years before
the charter was granted, when we are
told the majority of the stock was taken
by non-residents, the incorporators be-
ing: Col. B. B. French, clerk of the House
of Representatives John F. Callan, Jacob
Bigelow. w w. Narrower M. P. Callan,
w. A. Bradley and w. H. English.
While the charter of the present COM
pany was apparently in allegiance, James
Crutchett, about 1845. bought a piece
of property at the northeast corner OF
North Capitol and C streets, and erected
''on the summit of the hill" as we are
told by James Croggon, in 1911, "a frame
cottage, later a part of the Yznaga home"
Crutchett was truly enthusiastic, and
in his experiments considerably helped
the matter along to a speedy and sue
cessful conclusion. An early account OF
his activities follows:
Solar gas light on Capitol Hill.-One
of the most striking and brilliant i'm
provements that we have lately noticed
in this metropolis is that of Mr.. Crut-
chett, who has not merely lighted up
North Capitol street by the introduction
of nine solar gas burners between his
residence and the Capitol gate, but
actually Illuminated Capitol Hill by these
incomparably beautiful and splendid
lights. We understand that these nine
gas lights are all supplied from the
beautiful cottage residence of Mr..
Crutchett, which is entirely lighted with
solar gas, inclIding its parlors, bed
rooms porticoes, porches and garden,
rendering the whole most beautiful to
the eye when viewed either externally
or internally. The light emitted from
these gas burners is so strong and bril-
liant that person may read small print
by them in the street without the slight
est difficulty Compared with these gas
lights, the lamps around the Capitol
appear quite dim-serving only to
make darkness visible We sincerely
hope that the time is not far distant
when not only the Capitol, but the pub
lie buildings and Pennsylvania avenue
may have the benefit of the solar gas
light
On March 8, 1847, we find him illun-
mating the Senate Chamber most bril-