davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-03-22
Homes of the District Government

In the building until recently occupied
by the Police Department. and from
here they moved to Fourteenth and E
streets NV.
The first head of the city govern
ment, Mayor Robert Brent, who was ap-
pointed by President Jefferson on June
l, 1902, and reappointed each year there
after while Mr.. Jefferson was Presi-
dent-serving in all 10 terms, including
the three appointments by President
Madison-found little need from the first
for an oficial headquarters and no
doubt used his residence. known as the
Mansion House. then located on G street
S.W. between Ninth and Tenth streets.
Thomas Herty was the first register Of
the city and Washington Boyd the first
treasurer.
The legislative body, known as tho
Council, was then divided into q First
Chamber and Second Chamber, and
continued to be 50 called until 1912 when,
under Mayor Daniel Rapine, the two
branches became q Board of Aldermen
and a Common Council. The first list
OF names Of those who served in the First
Chamber were: James Barry, president:
George Blagden, Nicholas King, William
Brent, A. B. Woodward. Samuel H. Smith
and Thomas Peter, with Thomas Herty
Evening star., 1942-03-22

ming. for his own oficial purposes, yet
the two branches Of the City Council
appear to have met on June II. 1902, in
Tunnicliffe's Tavern, which then stood
slightly to tho east Of the Old Brick
Capitol, at First and A streets, Sc, now
the site OF the United States Supreme
Court Building. Subsequently they evi-
IDENTIFY had used Is . meeting place
Lovell's Hotel, which stood on tho north
side Of Pennsylvania avenue between
Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, for An
item Of $l406 was paid to William
Lowell on May 4, 1903. "for rent Of room"
From here they moved to the north
side Of Pennsylvania avenue between
The Star once and Twelfth street, and
later. in 1905. to the Masonic Hall. which
then stood on the west side Of Eleventh
street between C street and Pennsyl-
Department Building is now located.
The hall, which was % by 50 feet, was
erected on q part Of lot /, In square 1923.
and for many years had q close neigh
Dor, Carusi's salon, which in the early
days stood at the northeast corner of
Eleventh and c streets, and later The
Star. which for many years was pub
ushed at the southwest corner Of PENN
sylvania avenue and Eleventh street
Just across the Avenue from its present
location.
The Masonic Hall-generally referred
to as Union Lodge Room-had the second
floor fitted up for lodge purposes, and
here the Grand Lodge had its birth in
1911. and held Its meetings for . number
Of years. From 1905. to the end Of 1920.
when there was . Board Of Aldermen
and . Common Council, these bodies
had their of1ces In this hall, and the
Warrington Library and the Vine
Lyceum Society were also tenants. and
1t is assumed that the Mayor had his
ONCE here during the time 1t was occu-
pied by the city's Legislative branch.
Evening star., 1942-03-22

where he participated in some of Mr..
Laws ventures. He was generous and
charitable, and upon one occasion gave
the ground and erected at his own ex-
pense, . Roman Catholic Church in
Southeast Washington. George Blagden
was an early member of the School
Board and director in the Washington
Bridge Co. Nicholas King came to this
country from England in 1896 and served
as city surveyor during that and the fol-
lowing year. He had a mind for learn
ing and became the librarian Of the
washington Library, which he probably
started shortly after he arrived here. He
undoubtedly was Washington's first
librarian.
William Brent was a relative Of Mayor
Robert Brent. He married the sister Of
Bishop John Carroll, who became the
head OF the Catholic Church in this
country, and who was a brother Of DAN
lei Carroll of Rock Greek, one Of the
flrst three Commissioners appointed by
President Washington to acquire the
Federal territory.
Augustus B. woodward was one OF the
earliest investors in Washington real
estate. However, the form OF govern.
ment here did not suit him and he Sc
cured the appointment Of Judge Of tho
Evening star., 1942-03-22

city; from 1905 TO 1914, Judge OF the
Orphans Court, and from 1908 to 1919,
paymaster general Of the Army. All Of
these ofhces being held at one and the
same time, from 1908 to 1872, which
surely indicates that he was q man Of
unusual capacity.
City Village Then.
OF course, Warrington WAS but q
struggling village when Robert Brent
first took ONCE. One Of his first duties
was the approval Of the act Of November
10, 1902, which carried an appropriation
Of 500 for the purpose Of opening,
clearing and rendering passable for
wagons, West Fourteenth from North
street" Today as we drive our car up
Fourteenth street and await the signal
Of the trafnc cop to stop" or go We
never give the condition Of this thor
ouehfare a thought as it was during the
administration Of Robert Brent Is Mayor
Of the city.
1t might be interesting to note that
there were in 1900 but 372 buildings in
WASHINGTON proper, 100 Of brick and 2es
of wood, and the population but 3,2lo.
which included 1885 white males. 1.l2s
white females; free colored persons, 123,
and 623 slaves.
There is . doubt Is to just where the
CITY government was housed during the
two wears between 1890 and 1922. when.
in the latter year, it moved into the City
Hall at the head Of John Marshall place.
hut It Is evident 1t moved direct from
the We,ehtman Building on Sixth street.
4 little above Pennsylvania avenue, the
site now beng covered by . part OF the
National Hotel.
On June 10, 1892, the council hrst met
IN the City Hall, now generally caAeo
the Courthouse, and here 1t continued
"a meet with branches Of the Federal
Government as joint occupants, until
the beginning Of the territorial form OF
government in 1871. when Gov. Cooke
made his headquarters in the building
still standing at the northwest corner OF
pennsylvania avenue and Seventeenth
street. The Governor occupied the sec
ond floor and his secretary, DR.. I1ndal'
had his ONCE on the ground floor. The
legislative assembly which later ter
minated as the Feather Duster Legisla-
ture-held its session in Metzerott Hall.
over what was once 925 Pennsylvania
avenue, where Edward F. Droop had his
piano warerooms for quite awhile. Gov.
Shepherd had his ONCE also At Seven
teenth street and Pennsylvania avenue.
Originally the blocks facing Pennsyl-
vania avenue between Second street ana
John Marshall place were reserved for
public use, and referred to by the Com
missioners as "the Bank and Exchange
SQUARES" The United States Mint was
scheduled to be place in the square be-
tween Third street and John Marshall
place, but this early decision was later
overruled and the Mint still remains,
as We know, in Philadelphia, and Will
probably stay there Indefinitely.
BY act Of May 7. 1922. this reservation
was ordered subdivided into lots and
sold to raise money for street improve
ments, and the south side Of the Avenue.
which then also belonged to the United
States. was included in the same law.
and now We are starting all over again
Evening star., 1942-03-22
By John Clagett Proctor.

A year or two ago. it did look as II
the new District Building In the Mu-
nicipal Center, at Third street and IN
diana avenue, when completed. would
be occupied by the local government,
which needed it so badly for its many
activities. But, alas, now that the build
ing has been practically completed, much
of its space has been taken over by the
Federal Government: and the District
has thus far only been able to secure
space in it for its Police, Fire and
Health Departments, and for its Traffic
Bureau, and for only few commissions
and divisions. while number of other
branches of the District government are
housed in the old building and in rented
quarters.
OF course, no one can kick about this
situation, since we know that the Gov
ernment is really hard pushed for space
for war purposes, and naturally our
country comes first.
But, maybe, after the war is over, we
will be able to get all Of this building
for the District, and then we can justly
feel that we helped to win the war by
this and other deprivations.
However, regardless of who occupies
this building now, or who will occupy
it later on, the site upon which it stands
and the entire Municipal Center, which
extends from Third to Sixth street, and
from Pennsylvania avenue to Indiana
avenue, is of much historic interest. A
number of the structures which formerly
stood here were erected more than 100
years ago. At an earlier date, at the
time Of the laying out Of the city, this
section was a part of David Burnes'
farm, having been inherited by that
astute Scotchman from his father,
James Burnes, for whom 1t was reslr-
veyed in 1859. The elder Burnes, how
ever, did not secure patent for the
land during his lifetime, but left this
formality to his son David, who secured
q patent in his own name In 1774.
Earlier, In 1703. this tract, which con-
sisted Of 225 acres, was patented to
Ninian Beall, who lived at Upper Mari.
boro. and was known as Beall's Levels.
But the present new D1Str1ct Building
in the Municipal Center was not the
first home Of the District government in
this vicinity. since the building at 216
John Marshall place and the building on
Indiana avenue between John Marshall
place and Sixth street also were once
used as headquarters of the District,
and it was from the latter building that
the Commissioners moved to the District
Building at Fourteenth and E streets,
about 1908.
The late Dr. William T1ndall, who
served as secretary to the Board of Com
missioners for so many years. related
that the first meeting Of the Commis-
sioners, held under the act Of June 80,
1874, was in the H street parlor Of the
Arlington Hotel. 1t was In this annex to
Evening star., 1942-03-22

and buying it back. In other words.
what George Washington and LEnfant
thought of and planned for 1873 years
ago is just now dawning upon us.
Christian Hines, who passed over this
part of washington as early as 1900.
records but one house then standing
on Pennsylvania avenue. He says:
Il am confident that when first saw
Pennsylvania avenue there was not one
house on it. The first house remem-
Der to have seen was Jones coachmaker
shop, q two-story frame, little east Of
the old depot, on the north side Of the
Avenue. This was in the year l79e or
1900, two or three years after len
Greenleafs Point. The commons, whers
now the Avenue Is, from the foot a
Capitol Hill westward, was almost I'm.
Evening star., 1942-03-22

Home of Robert Brent, first
Mayor OF Washington, for
merly located on the southeast
corner of TWeltth street and
Maryland Avenue S.W.
the northwest corner of Pennsylvania
avenue and Seventeenth street for sew
eral meetings and thence to the Nor
rison Building. 216 John Marshall place,
where they stayed until June %, 1887,
when they moved to the large lumber
warehouse building, then owned by
Thomas w. Smith, the wel-known lum-
herman, and then known as 1882 First
street NV. and which later became the
Business High School.
From First street the Commissioners
moved, between 1895 and 1896, to 464
Louisiana avenue, now Indiana avenue,
Evening star., 1942-03-22

territory Of Michigan. and it is said that
the design Of the city Of Detroit. some
what along lines Of Washington, is due
to his influence In the matter.
Samuel Harrison Smith is best known
as having established the National In
telligencer In this city in 1900, and who
was responsible for Its early success.
Thomas Peter. son Of Robert Peter.
married q granddaughter Of Mrs. Wash
ington, and when Gen. Washington
visited the Federal City, he rarely failed
to stop at his residence. 2618 K street
NV. Mr. Peter built Tudor Place, the
beautiful Georgetown Colonial residence
now occupied by one Of his descendants.
The secretary Of the First Chamber,
Thomas Herty, in 1901, became the Sec
retary Of the Washington Building Co..
the pioneer building association Of this
city.
Carroll of Duddington
The Second Chamber had as its presi-
dent Daniel Carroll of Duddington. the
pulling down Of whose house caused the
rupture between President Washington
and Maj. LEnfant. A biographical ac-
count Of him, published in the Daily
National 1ntelngencer Of May IS, l849.
carries this complimentary reference:
He made every exertion for the ac-
commodation of the First Congress in
washington by the erection of numerous
buildings. He was an indulgent land
lord, and always generously favored the
widow and other needy tenants; yielding
thousands Of dollars rather than dis
tress them for his rents. He was a
friend to the poor and dispensed much
private charity from his own abundant
stores; but alas. the mutability OF for
tune deprived him Of late years Of the
means of giving to the poor"
Benjamin More, or Moore. was the
publisher Of the Washington Gazette.
and when not thus engaged is supposed
to have conducted a sort Of country
store at Greenleafs Point-known In our
Evening star., 1942-03-22

youthful days as the Arsenal. An idea
Of the variety of supplies carried BY him
may be had from an old advertisement
appearing after he had moved his bust.
ness nearer to the Capitol The "ad"
states that:
Benjamin More. New Jersey avenue.
city OF Washington. has for sale salmon,
Boston Bay mackerel. playing cards, ap-
pies and vinegar. cheese and groceries.
crockery, etc."
william Prout was an original pro.
prietor. as were several other members
Of the first legislative body. His farm
extended from close to the Eastern
Branch to near Florida avenue NE.
James Hobans name will always be
inseparable with the White House. which
he designed, and which he rebuilt after
its destruction by the British In 1914. As
worshipful master Of Federal Lodge Of
Masons, he marched at the head Of his
contingent to participate in the cere-
monies incident to the laying Of the
corner stone Of the Capitol.
John Hewitt was appointed by Presi-
dent Jefferson, register Of Wills for
Washington County. and he was also
admitted to the bar at the initial session
Of the District Circuit Court. He was
also among the many prominent men Of
his day who we're interested In the
Washington Library Co. 1t was prob
ably his brother James Hewitt who was
the secretary Of the Second Chamber,
but Of whom nothing further seems to
be known.
City's First Treasurer
Washington Boyd, the city's drst treas
urer, was also one Of its early survivors,
marshal of the District and collector Of
taxes in 1903, when the rate was IS cents
on q hundred dollars Of assessed value,
which then meant one-haf Of real
value.
Though Mayor Brent may not have
needed special quarters from the begin
Evening star., 1942-03-22
Some Added History.

The following letter has Just been re-
ceived from Mrs. Mary l.. Ziegler:
Dear Mr.. Proctor:
Being Washingtonian. and the
daughter of a Washingtonian. always
read with intense interest your weekly
article in The Sunday Star relating to
the early history Of this city-oa occa-
sions finding reference to members Of my
own family. who once had q part In the
upbuilding and civic life Of Washington:
especially, read with the greatest avid.
ity your article Of March /, referring to
the building. No. 1o15 L street NV,
now occupied by the Soldiers, Sailors
and Marine Club, as that was once the
residence Of my maternal great-aunt
Mrs. David L. Morrison. From my
earliest recollection until I was quite Q
large girl visited there frequently with
my mother, Mrs. Asbury Lloyd, as We
also resided in that neighborhood-
Eleventh and N streets NV. Many hap.
py memories hover over that dear old
home, where I do not think even the
smallest cubbyhole went unexplored by
me. Your description was most graphic
and accurate. and turned back the pages
Of the past, until in the halls Of memory,
I again met the beloved ones OF my
childhood and formed a part OF the
family circle assembled In the fireside's
CHEEKY glow. Such lovely pictures Of the
long ago! Being somewhat Of shutin,
want to express to you my hearty thanks
and appreciation for the pleasure and
entertainment your writings have given
me-as am sure they have numerous
others. bringing brightness and cheer to
hours that otherwise might have proven
drab and gloomy. May you. for many
years more, continue with your wonder
full work. Through your pen and friends
you have been well known to me for
quite Q while, but I would be pleased If
from your busy days you could spare
time for . brief visit, and we, face to
face, Is one native to another, might en-.
Joy . chat about our beloved Washing.
ton.
II think the Morrison home was
planned and built by the architect
Ruben Clark. who resided At 1913 L
street, which Is now also q part Of the
club building.
Yours most sincerely" etc.
Evening star., 1942-03-22
Matthew G. Emery, last
Mavor of Washington, 1901.

Robert Brent, the city's first Mayor. was
indeed q most unusual man. Nowadays
If we are successful in holding down one
or two Jobs. We feel We are doing whole
lot, but not 30 with Mayor Brent. From
1901 to 1877 he was a justice Of the
peace; from 1902 to 1912. Mayor Of the
Evening star., 1942-03-22

the Arlington Hotel that Charles Sumner
died March II, 1874 The south end Of
Arlington Building, where Is housed the
Veterans Administration, now occupies
this site.
From here the Commissioners went to
Evening star., 1942-03-22

passable for vehicles OF any kind; in
deed, it was difficult for person to walk.
in some places, on account Of the mud,
bushes. thorns, briers, ETC., and more
particularly on the south side, where
the clumps Of thorn bushes In some
places were 50 thick that. believe. they
were cut down with scythes 50 as to
enable the workmen to make q footway
to Fifteenth street
Evening star., 1942-03-22

groups some very important local names.
James Barry was an Irish merchant
and capitalist whom Thomas Law met
In New York and who was responsible
for the former gentleman coming here.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-12-19
Franks


VOUHIIHUtU ITUHI TdBt IT
Franks was in the backheld Of the
opposition so often many mistook
him for player of the opposing
team.
Franks spent the past summer as
a counselor at Green Pasture, and
during those weeks he worked hard
to condition himself for the tough
battles ahead. That his labors were
fruitful is borne out in his selection
10 the highest honors paid college
football players.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-12-19

Marian Anderson has at last won
her fight with the Daughters OF the
American Revolution down in Wash
According TO her manager
the little affair is all settled and
Marian will sing at Constitution
Hall on January and what is in
fnitely more important, there will
be no segregation Of the races at
the concert. This last item amounts
to revolutionary victory because
Washington believes in keeping the
races apart The nations capitol is
believed to be one OF the most like
ly spots for a full dress race riot.
!; x x
OUR CONDUCT
While most Of the energies OF our
leadership are being used to break
barriers and blaze new trails for
Negro workers, some leaders are
becoming acutely conscious of what
is being described as the wild be-
havior' Of those who are getting
the jobs. It seems that the guy who
will fight at the drop of the hat
over some insult, real or imaginary.
is just playing into the hands Of
the white folks who want an ex-
cuse TO fire him.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-12-19
Cleared
CONTINUED from Page u

continued to live there as a roomer.
On the date in question, Perry
was reading a newspaper while
waiting for his wife to prepare din
ner when Steele came in the back
door into the kitchen and asked
Perry what time It was.
Perry repeatedly answered that he
didn't know. This answer led 10 an
alteration between the men.
Later Perry went to his room and
got his shotgun and repeatedly told
Steele not to come any closer. Steele
advanced so police say, and rcceiv-
cd the full blasts from the shotgun
in his chest He died instantly.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-12-19
We're Convicted In january
Heroic Work
mSouthSea

WASHINGTON. (ANP) y
Julius S. Franklin OF Charleston,
S C., Harvey NJ. Crahdle Of Green
vile, S. C., and James Scott Of
Montgomery, Ala, were subjects Of
a broadcast sponsored by the child
rens bureau OF the department Of
labor Tuesday at noon over the
Blue Network The three men, all
privates in the U. S. army, hst par
ticipated in the rescue OF an Ameri-
can pilot who was forced from his
plane somewhere in the Pacific
area, He made leap from the burn
ing plane and was forced down in
q river infested with crocodiles.
The three Negro soldiers on out
Post duty in the jungles saw the
pilot as he fell into the river. Know
ing that the river was filled with
man-eating crocodiles, the three
men jumped in and rescued the
aviator.
As a reward for their heroism,
the three have been awarded the
Soldiers medal for heroism.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-12-19

Kings Daughters $50; Harry Thomas
$50; Jesse Kimbrough $50; Walter
Norwood $50; Jacob II Allen $50;
Dr.. James J. McClcndon $50;
Brewster Homes Tenants Coun-
Gil $50; St. Paul A.ME. Zion church
$50; Thomas Hammond $50; Lincoln
Evening School S4667; DR.. Ira
Whitby $40; Soiourner Truth Homes
$3.50; Bethel AME. church S375l;
Roxborough and Taliaferro s35; ST.
Stephens A.ME. church SIS; Lewis
Business School S32;
Supreme Liberty Life Insurance
company S32; LOOMS, Jones, Piper
and Golden $50; .Woodson R. Ray
$50: olivet Baptist church s25;
George Smedley SIS; Dr. Haley
Bell, s25; Lewis, Rowlette and
Brown S2j; Brinzic Tohomares s25;
Richard Latte SIS; George Phillips
S25: Church Of Our Fathers s25;
Shiloh Baptist church S2582; Alpha
and Omega church s29l0; Horace
Ferguson SOS; Dr. W. L. Postlcs S25;
Fred A. Allen SIS; Joseph Chafety
SIS; Earl B. Hutchins SIS; John j.
White s25; Fred D. Fuller s25;
Charles Simpson SIS; Claude Rox-
borough S25; Alfred Gaskill SIS;
Nscirema club SIS;
Phyllis Wheatley Association S27;
Samuel Jones S25; Frank Williams
SIS: Mrs. Adelaide Park SIS, Flor
ence Ames Temple Order Eastern
Star S25; Garfield Evening School
s25 Harry Berlin S25; Highland
Park church s25; Club Three Skies
s27. Mrs Harold Bledsoe S25; New
Bethel Baptist church SIS; Dr.. A. E
Thomas S25; Francis NJ Roberts SIS;
Plymouth Congregational church
S25; Ebenezer A.ME. church SIS
Dr. Frank P. Raiford S25 DR.. Harold
VI. Johnson S25; Lydian Association
SOS, Dr. E. W. H. johnson S25.
The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1942-12-19
Street Car
Rams Buses,
Fiue Hurt

A collision between a jefferson
avenue street car and two buses at
Woodward avenue and State street
resulted in minor injuries TO four
women passengers and the bus
diver this week.
Ernest R. Nicolai OF 27t' LAYTON
avenue, driver the bus, along with
Mrs Rosa Lee Surry of 5l4 Med
BURY; Mrs. Margaret Rsnney Of
l7l77 Stoepel avenue; Mrs Hattie
Mae Evans Of Sis Euclid. and Mrs.
Alberta Winston OF 1875 Riopelle
street.
Police say the buses were travel
ing south on Woodward avenue and
were struck by the street car as it
crossed Woodward avenue on State
street