davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1942-07-05
City's Early Progress Reflected in Meridian Hill

without taking any notice OF him what
fayette and Commodore Porter was not
explained. ncr was the matter referred
to while the interview lasted. 1t would
seem as If the President wished to teach
the commodore lesson in diplomacy, or
intimate to the Nations guest that he
must not meddle with what did not con-
Germ him,
Between Mr. Adams and his successor,
Andrew Jackson, there was also an I'M
friendly feeling, because the latter be-
lieved Adams had countenanced the
story directed against the name of his
wife. SO on the morning of the Sd of
March, 1929, Adams left the White House
and walked out to the Porter mansion
and caused notices to be published re-
questing chat the usual call on the retir-
ing President be omitted.
There are probably only few persons
living who ever saw the old Porter man
sion. The late DR.. Benjamin w. Sunny
told the writer he saw it burn down in
1853, while he was attending Columbian
College (now George Washington Uni
versity), which was then located on
tract of land which adjoined Meridian
Hill to the east.
Wayland Seminary.
OF the most interesting landmarks In
this area. Wayland Seminary and the
old standpipe are probably the most
outstanding and though they have long
since disappeared no doubt they are still
recalled by many persons who remem-
ber them as conspicuous objects in their
childhood days.
The Wayland Seminary Building was
quite portentious structure erected on
the northeast corner of Meridian Hill
Park, in 1874, by the Baptist Church
for the education of colored preachers
and teachers. The building was of
artistic design, of brick, and with three
stories, basement and mansard, and
lofty tower. 1t cost $4,000, and the
work was done by colored labor. The
building was razed about 1900 and the
institution probably removed to Rich
mond, Va
But undoubtedly this lofty building
and the old standpipe are still fresh in
the minds of ever so many boys who, a
half century and more ago, crossed the
hill In this direction on their way to
Rock Greek in the hot summer months
for swim and never failed to fling a
stone at the old reservoir that stood
about In the center of Sixteenth street at
Euclid street.
The surface Of the ground was then
very stony and the walking was naturally
uncomfortable and tiresome, and gladly
did the boys avail themselves of the
shade of the few oaks, under which they
stopped to rest and to nurse their
stubbed toes and pick briars from the
more tender parts Of their feet, while
sharp lookout was always kept for
"Cottonhead Sam" whose chief occupa-
ton was to go through the smaller boys
pockets for what he could appropriate
to his own use.
Sam was an unusual looking mulatto,
with the appearance of an albino, dis
playing the customary white hair and
Evening star., 1942-07-05
By John P. Marquand.

BY JOhn +. Marquand.
"An English frigate is now in sight
from my deck"
You are reading some of the last words
written by Capt. James Lawrence from
his cabin aboard his new command, the
U. S. Frigate Chesapeake. as she lay in
Boston Harbor on the morning of June
/, 1913 Above his head, he could hear
the orders and the scampering of the
crews bare feet as they unmoored.
Il have sent pilot boat out to recon-
noiter, and should she be alone, am in
hopes to give a good account of her be-
fore night. My crew appear to be in
fine spirits, and trust will do their
duty"
Fashions in thought have undergone
many changes since then but these have
not altered the language of fighting
men. That may be why, when you scan
the record of the battle between the
Chesapeake and the Shannon, you can
come close to believing that James Law
renee, captain, U. S. N, might have died
Yesterday fighting his ship somewhere in
the China Sea instead of off the port Of
Boston more than century ago.
His ship was already under way when
he finished the last letters he would
ever write, and left his cabin for the
auarterdeck. Lawrence had dressed
meticulously in full uniform because his
ship was facing action. There is extant
portrait by Gilbert Stuart of Lawrence
much as he might have looked when he
stood on the Chesapeakes deck. He was
voung-only 80 when he died, but men
developed fast in those days. With his
last command, the Wasp, he had sunk
the British sloop- -of-war, Peacock, with
a consummate dash that had shocked
complacent British navy. His face on
the canvas still reflects the self-belle1
required for such task. The set OF the
mouth is partly goodnatured, partly ar
rogant without line of weakness. The
jaw is firm; the hair has that curled
windblown look which was the fashion
of the period.
Credit to Ship
He was painted in the blue coat with
heavy gold lace and gigantic epaulets
that ne mlgnJ nave worn dOOdFu IIic
Chesapeake-its collar so absurdly high
that his chin rested snugly in a chok-
ingly large cravat. He wore the Navy
officers cooked hat as he stood on the
quarterback, pompous affair, encrusted
with its own allowance of gold braid.
His white trousers, thrust into top boots,
completed a handsome uniform, setting
off the tall figure of very handsome
mana credit to the glistening new
paint of the Chesapeake, fresh from
thorough overhauling.
While the great frigate moved past the
islands of Boston Harbor Lawrence's
one fear must have been that the Eng
lishman, whose sails he could see close
to the horizon, might not be alone. Ship
for ship, Lawrence could not have
doubted the ultimate results. He had
complete faith in American ships and
seamen. He was certain that American
gunners could make short work of any
British gun crew. Yet, as man who
Evening star., 1942-07-05

pink eyes and devoid of any scruples, as
he lay in wait for those whom he could
prey upon.
The route the boys usually took, espe-
cially those who lived in the neigh
borhood then called the Level, was
around Florida avenue, west on Staugh-
ton or Chaplin street, thence northwest
over Meridian Hill to Quarry road,
where stop was usually made midway
down the hill to refresh themselves with
the nectar that Jupiter sips, for here
was fine spring, adjoining the Eslin
tract, now occupied by large apartment
buildings. Milkhouse lane and Redhouse
lane were also much travelled by the
boys on their way to the creek.
Indeed, as the writer looks back to his
childhood days, the changes that have
taken place on Meridian Hill seem al
most unbelievable and yet, how much
more marvellous must the changes ap-
pear when we 60 back to the time when
this area was purchased by Commodore
Porter. way back in 1916, or even more
recently, when it was subdivided into
building lots for Isaac E. Messmore by
Hall & Elvans in 1867, and sold for 10
cents a square foot.
Slash Run.
Few of the war workers who will soon
be occupying the 744 rooms in the Me-
ridian Hill Hotel will realize that be-
meath this building once ran an arm Of
stream known as Slash Run, which in
creased in volume on its way until it
almost equaled the volume of the old
Tiber as it zigzagged its way through the
northwest part of the city, finally empty
ing into Rock Creek at point little be-
low o street. This branch had its source
in spring, or series OF springs, some
where in the neighborhood of Columbia
road and Fi.te anth street. From this
point it flowed southwark to Superior
street now Kalorama road, and crossed
westward along this street until 1T
reached Champlain avenue, down which
Evening star., 1942-07-05

first in command, was down. A grenade
thrown from the Shannon struck an am
munition chest and the smoke of the
explosion put down binding curtain
through which it was impossible to see.
blood from pistol bullet which had
struck below his knee. He limped pain
fully toward the rail to peer at his an
tagonist.
The Chesapeake was coming helplessly
into the wind because of the destruction
of her rigging forward, and her great
stern fouled the Shannon. Fewer and
fewer of the Chesapeake's guns could
bear, and the Shannon's guns raked
through her.
When the Shannon's cannonades
played across the spardeck. Lawrence
leaned against the starboard pinnacle.
He shouted for the bugler to give the
call for boarders to rush the Shannons
deck. When the bugle did not sound,
he directed Midshipman Mckinney, a
lad of IA, to jump below to order the
gunner up prepared to board He must
have seen by then that the Chesapeakes
crew was no longer steady. The ship
was new to them. Too many officers
were down. He must have seen, as he
leaned against the pinnacle, the first
rush of British, led by Capt Broke,
swarming over the Chesapeake's rail.
Carried Below
Lawrence stood there, smoke stained
and bloody, calling for boarders, shout
ing above the awful noise for action from
his crew. 1t. Budd was up from the
gundeck trying to rally handful of
confused Yankee sailors and marines,
and then he was down. Next came 1t.
Cox. Just after he reached the deck,
British lieutenant of marines recog-
nized Lawrence, took deliberate aim and
shot him in the groin.
AS he lay there, Lawrence shouted to
his men to fire away. He was still call
ing orders when Cox and four seamen
carried him below. He ordered Cox to
return, to get the men in hand.
Don't surrender the ship"
The cockpit was already welter of
manned and dying men. DR.. Dix, the
surgeon, dropped his grim work when he
saw the captain.
Serve those who came before me,
doctor" Lawrence said. He lay there
in agony, listening to the sounds above
him. The firing on the deck was slack
ening.
Go on deck" Lawrence called to DR..
Dix. "Order them to fire faster and to
fight the ship till she sinks
Then he saw 1t. Ludlow. They were
bringing him into that charnel house
with his head cloven by saber cut.
What brings you here?" Lawrence
asked him. Ludlow was still conscious,
but very weak. He had to tell his cap
tain that it was all over.
They have carried her." he said
Then the officers have not toed the
mark" Lawrence answered. He was
convinced that the Shannon was as good
as whipped when he left the deck
There was only one thought which
rose above the mortal agony of his
wound. 1t framed itself into words so
simple and direct that they are still
spoken by millions who have forgotten
the Shannon and the Chesapeake.
Blow her up he said, and he re-
peated it again and again. Don't give
up the ship. Don't give up the ship"
Evening star., 1942-07-05

ately and cruelty snubbed Porter, who. it
seems, had enlisted the aid of the
marquis in his behalf to try to straighten
out a difference between the two men.
Lafayette had been granted an inter-
view with the President, with permission
latter was to make a personal explana-
ton. The time was set for IL o'clock,
and, true to promise, Mr.. Adams was
waiting for the French visitor and the
commodore, but when they alighted at
the door of the Executive Mansion, the
President, it is said, stepped forward
and shook hands cordially with the Mar
quis, took his arm and left the commo-
dore standing under the front portico
Evening star., 1942-07-05

OF the spardeck and Its. Budd, Cox and
Ballard were below on the gun deck wait
ing for their orders. all watching the
Shannon looming larger every minute.
She was barely moving. The Chesa-
peake was approaching at good six
miles an hour.
Capt. Lawrence stood on gun car
riage with his speaking trumpet tucked
beneath his arm, watching dark figures
he held all the advantages of initiative
and maneuver. He could stand well
away from his slow-moving antagonist,
exchanging broadsides and crossing her
bow to rake, or he could cross her stern
and deliver raking fire. The choice
was his.
Anxiously, in those taut still moments,
1t. White tried to guess which it would
be. Finally, he asked: Did not the
captain intend to run across the Shan
mons stern? Lawrence said he did not,
and then he gave his order, an order
which will be debated as long as naval
students study fights at sea.
'Luff her" Lawrence called to the
quartermaster by the Chesapeakes great
wheel The wheel whirled; the Chesa-
peake's sails snapped and slapped in
the freshening southwest wind, and the
gun crews gave three cheers. 1t was
an unexpected command, for it meant
that Lawrence intended to place the
Chesapeake alongside the Shannon.
within pistol shot, broadside to broad
side, yard arm to yard arm. 1t meant
that Lawrence had cast away all the
initial advantage which Broke had Of
fered him. He had cast it away con-
temptuously, out of chivalry, perhaps,
because he disdained advantage; or it
may have been that he was thinking of
the Hornet and the Peacock, and the
poor exhibition he had seen of British
gunnery.
Commands Are Heard
Even If he had known that Broke had
been training the Shannon's gun crews
for seven years, one doubts whether he
would have changed his order. 1t was
gallant, but it was not war. 1t was
underestimation of an enemy. Hull of
the Constitution would have crossed
under the Shannons stern and given
her the full taste of his broadside before
he came so close.
The ships were now so near that the
commands from the Shannon could be
clearly heard. There was a breathless
silence as the Chesapeake moved up
along the Shannon's side, a silence
which lasted until the Chesapeake's
foremast came even with Shannon's miz-
zen. Then the first gun of the Shannon
spoke, and then two more, and then
the great guns of the Chesapeake began
to answer as they came to bear
Lawrence must have known in those
first few seconds of shattering confusion
that the Shannon's gunners were as good
as any Yankee. The carnage on his
spardeck told the story. 1t exceeded any
he had known in all his years at sea.
The air was filled with the mist Of
debris and splinters. One hundred of
the men who had been at their stations
went down before the Shannon's fire.
In few mad moments, only so were
left standing. 1t was the loss among
his officers which may have lost the
fight. His sailing masters head was
carried away by round shot, two of his
midshipmen were dead His lieutenant
Of Marines was down, and Ludlow. his
Evening star., 1942-07-05

1t ran to Florida avenue, and continued
on to the city.
In the writer's youth there was little
left Of this stream in the Meridian Hill
area but a trlckle, but he recalls that
about 55 years ago slaughterhouse,
which stood near the southeast corner
Of Columbia road and Sixteenth street,
made use of this small supply OF water.
However, where the stream crossed Six
teenth street at Euclid, the considerable
Evening star., 1942-07-05

him with his family in beautiful little
farmhouse and supplied him with half
dozen assistants. At the end of the
year the crops realized just about enough
to pay the expenses of this party, with
out any over surplus in the way of
profit.
"On the whole, Capt Porter found that
he had been more successful in plough
ing the sea than he was likely to be
ploughing terra firma.'
President Adams Leased Property
Reverses caused Commodore Porter to
dispose of his property, and in 1929 the
mansion and grounds were leased by
John Quincy Adams, upon his retiring
from the White House. By this time it
may be assumed that the property had
substantially passed out Of the hands
of the commodore, for there was surely
no love between him and Mr.. Adams, and
no apparent reason which would have
warranted the former in leasing it to
him, especially since the ex-President
had upon one occasion, when Lafayette
was visiting this city in 1924, deliber-
Evening star., 1942-07-05

cut in the ground was evidence of what
the volume of the branch must have
been at an earlier period. This deep cut
continued along Kalorama road as far
as the eye could see.
Close by Sixteenth street, on the south
bank Of Slash Run, about where the
French Embassy WAS located until 1888,
could be seen, for many years, the me-
ridian stone, which was placed on a di-
Evening star., 1942-07-05
THERE WERE GIANTS IN
THOSE DAYS."

This is the 18th of a series. of articles
about men and women who worked fought
and died that America might live: men and
women who made America great by con-
trihuting their own greatness to country
which was founded and has endured on the
principles OF life, liberty and the pursuit OF
happiness as the right of every man. The
1oh article In the series will appear mex.
Gu
, 1942-02-18
FRIGIDAIRE
UE LOCAL SOL

8 e. Fifth Street - FIJI 6142
Ladies Auxiliary is holding a
Dance at Shells Chateau, Satur-
day, February. 81 at 500 p. m.
Floor Show and Refreshments.
Secure tickets from your
stewards. Admission 25f. Every
one invited.
, 1942-02-18
LADIES AUXILIARY

These are some of the members
of the Ladies Auxiliary, Dayton
Chapter I, whose headquarters
are at 20 Madison Street. Always
welcome to the ranks of our or
ganization, the ladies are a great
help in arranging social affairs.
We hope that in the near future
, 1942-02-18

all Union members will bring
their wives into the Auxiliary.
It helps to make your Union
stronger as well as preserving
peace and harmony in the family
during these times when we must
devote our efforts toward the
preservation of our organization.
, 1942-02-18
- 1000 Union Security -
GENERAL MOTORS

Continued from Page u
proved grievance machinery, in
creased vacation pay allowances
for older employees, and greater
protection for men in military
service.
The UE and the United Auto
Workers have presented almost
unified demands and will unite in
the corning negotiations, which
will begin early in March.
Meanwhile, every GIN worker
is urged to unite behind the Union
Shop Committee NOW, by joining
the UE-CIO during the current
crganizational drive. Do your part
for victory by organizing your
plant i00%.
, 1942-02-18

General Membership meeting
the fourth Wednesday of every
month at 500 p. m.
Publicity Committee meeting
every Monday night at 500 p. m.
Executive Board meeting the
second Wednesday of every month,
after the Stewards Council meet
ing.
, 1942-02-18
BULLETIN BOARD

AL notices of meetings. dances, affairs etc for all locals
will appear in this column. The Bulletin Board will be permanently
IN the last page of each issue of the DAYTON UNION NEWS.
Please notify the editor of any changes to be made in the schedule.
Look for your meeting under your Local number.
, 1942-02-18
STACKER
SALLY

Contributed by An S04 Mernber)
There is a girl in our shop who
thinks it very smart,
To take the Union benefits, but
not to do her part.
She liked her last vacation, she
liked that five cent raise,
But she hates to lay a buck out,
for the extra four it pays!
She don't come to Union meet
ings, just stays at home and
beefs,
Takes all the good things COM
ing, and lays on us her griefs!
Let her pay her dues up, then
we will do our part,
Or she can stay in the same old
rut, we will see who's smart!
There is a certain limit, to pa
tience we can show,
Remember at the layoffs, non
union workers go!
, 1942-02-18

In the front row seated, left to right, Mrs. Harlan Webb Mrs.
Clifford Helyer, President, and Mrs Leslie Haskett
In the second row, standing, Mrs. William Bradburn, Mrs.
Ermel Burns, Mrs. James Sites, Mrs. George Matthews, Mrs. Robert
Blackburn, and Mrs. Tressler Lewis.
, 1942-02-18
DELCO UE LOCAL 755

20 Madison Street 60 Fulton 1854
Local Membership and Business
meeting the last Sunday of every
month at 200 p. m.
Executive Board Meeting at
Loo p. m. the first and third
Sunday of every month.
: Day Stewards Council at 800
p. m. every Thursday.
Night Stewards Council at loo
p. m. every Thursday.
MASTER ELECTRIC
UE LOCAL 754
8 e. Fifth Street - HE 1901
Steward Council meetings the
first, second and third Wednes-
day of every month at 800 p. m.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-10-22
Woman's Club Holding Art
Exhibit At Community Bldg,

The Woman's club is sponsoring
an art exhibit at the community
building this week where around
1875 subjects are on the display.
This includes crayon, pencil and
pen drawings, water color and oil
sketches, block prints, applique
designs and other types of art
entered in the contest, sponsored
by the State Federation of Wo-
mems Clubs.
The public is cordially invited
to view the exhibit from three un-
til six o'clock in the afternoon,
today, Friday and Saturday.
Members of the club will act as
hostesses during the open house
hours.
The regular club meeting will
be held on Friday afternoon at
the community building promptly
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-10-22
County USO Is
Short Of Quota

L. P. Coward, chairman of USO
in the county, reports this week
that Ashe is far behind it's quota
of $500, with contributions COM
ing in slowly.
The total amount raised to date
is $31493, leaving a balance of
$285.O7 to complete the quota.
Late contributors are Austin and
Scott, (Rotary prize donated to
the cause) $1OO; Wiley Blevins,
$1.OO; A. H. Church, $1.OO; Mem
bers Ashe Lodge No. 671, A. F. &
A. NJ, $500; w. Jefferson
Wesleyan Guild, $500; Parsons
Store, $3.50; Additional from
West Jefferson high school facul-
ty, soc; West Jefferson Baptist
Sunday School, $22.51.
Mr.. Coward urges that all per-
sons who wish to aid in this in
valuable program of providing
comforts and entertainment for
the boys in all branches of mill
tary service, contribute what they
can to bring Ashe county up to
the part assigned to it.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-10-22

An office of the home service
committee was opened yesterday
in the theatre building, in the of
flee formerly occupied by Lang
don Scott, Mrs. Ward Ray, secre-
tary to the home service commit
tee, will be in charge of the Of
flee.
Gale Mcmillan is chairman of
the home service committee,
which is the division of the Red
Cross working between the men
in the service and their families
at home.
At a district meeting of Red
Cross held in Boone Friday, Rev.
Hoyt Wood, chapter chairman,
Mr.. Mcmillan and Mrs. Ward
Ray, received instruction in the
administration of allotments for
service men and their families.
For the purpose of family al
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-10-22
Francis E. Crubb
Buried At Green
Valley On Friday
Ashe Youth Was Killed In U
S. Maneuvers In La,
Last Week

Funeral services for Francis E.
Grubb, Is. of the Green Valley
section, were held last Friday,
October 16, at the Green Valley
Methodist church, burial follow
ing in the church cemetery.
Rev. Carl Eastridge, Rev. W.
T. Wilmington and Miss Gertrude
GRAPHICAL were in charge of the
services, the GRAPHICAL sisters
furnishing special music.
! Private Grub was killed in 9
motor vehicle accident during
Third Army maneuvers in Louisl-
ana on Monday, October II. He
was a son of Mrs. Minta Grubb
teacher in Rash school, and the
late Wiley Grub. Surviving
him are his mother and one Sis
ter, Mrs. James Winebarger, both
of Creston, and one brother, Boyo
Grub, of Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1942-10-22
Home Service Office OF Red
Cross Is Opened This Week

lowances, the relatives and de-
pandents of a soldier are divided
into two classes, "C1ass A" and
"Class b.. In Glass A are the
wife and children of the soldier
and a former wife divorced to
whom alimony is payable. Glass
A relatives DO not have to be de-
pendent upon the soldier in order
to be eligible for family allow
ance, but in Class B, which in
cludes parents, brothers, sisters
and grandchildren of the soldier
applicants must be dependent for
a substantial portion of their sup
port in order to be eligible, Mr.
Mcmillan explained.
This allowance is made up OF
money deducted from, or charged
to, the soldiers pay and money
contributed by the government
Continued On Page Four)