davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1943-08-01

The Charles Scrivener referred to had
daughter Mary Virginia, who, when
grown became Mrs. Cook, mother of
Col. C. Fred Cook, for many years of
The Star staff, now retired According
to the recollections of the colonels
mother, her fondest recollections
centered around the steep slopes OF the
grounds Of her fathers home, which
occupied a spot where the Scott Statue
stands.
Riggs Farm
At this time on the Riggs farm, there
was a neat cottage, later to become
historic, 1t was erected in the sum-
mer of 1912 by William H. Degges
for Mr.. Riggs, a well-known Washing
ton banker of this city. Degges, the
builder, resided on the north side Of
Pennsylvania avenue between Seven
teenth and Eighteenth streets, near
Eighteenth street, and his occupation
isr given in the city directory at that
period as a house carpenter.
The specification called for Venetian
blinds to all windows except to those
in gable end of garrett" and that the
veranda on south side be according
to plan given by John Skirving," who
appears in the directory of 1843 as a
bricklayer, with residence on the north
side Of H street, between Sixth and
Seventh streets, northwest.
Mr.. Riggs, evidently bought the
original part Of his farm from several
persons, as prior owners of the tract
included John Agg, Leonard Storm and
James Hoban, the last named being
the architest' of the White House, and
Benjamin Ogle Tayloe and the Glebe
of Rock Creek parish. The. lake property
was purchased from Asa Whitney, the
prior owners being George Taylor and
Anthony Holmead.
The Anderson Cottage
Asa Whitneys old home stood,
until about 10 years ago at 3543
Warden place. He was originally
from New York. The eastern part
Evening star., 1943-08-01

clergyman Of this city, having been
called ana ordained pastor of the first
Presbyterian church here in 1895 and
later ordained as the pastor of the sec,
ond church of that denomination here.
Mr.. Corcoran purchased this property
in 1852 from the Breckenridge heirs and
later sold it to the home for 1925. 900,
almost the entire amount being paid in
Virginia State bonds, which had been
for some years unproductive The Rev
Mr.. Breckenridge came into possession
of the land by having married Eleanor
White, daughter of James White, who
was large property holder in this
vicinity, and whose grave is the oldest
marked one in Rock Creek Cemetery.
Corcoran Cottage
The old Corcoran cottage is still stand
ing a little to the southwest of the
dairy buildings. 1t is assumed to have
been built about the time Mr.. Corcoran
purchased the property, and at the time
he sold it 1t was occupied by his niece. a
Mrs. Thorn. 1t is frame building and
was patterned after the Swiss style of
architecture. During the Civil War 1t
was occupied by the surgeon in charge
OF Hardwood Hospital, the hospital
building standing close by in the clear
ing Immediately east of the dairy house.
Secretary OF War McCrary of President
Hayes cabinet occupied the cottage one
summer with his family. 1t is now
known as the farmhouse of the home.
The Breckenridge graveyard lies
little to the west of the Corcoran cot
tage and here rests all that is mortal
of Rev. John Breckenridge, his wife
Eleanor and his daughter. Two tall
headstones tell OF their virtues, the
taller of the two being inscribed:
In memory Of the Reverend John
Breckenridge, who died May 2nd, 1874,
aged seventy-ave years.
He was the first Presbyterian minis
ter in Washington, fully supplied the
congregation at Bladensburg for nearly
forty years. The Rockville Academy
was reared under his superintendence.
He sleeps after prudent, useful pious
life, beside his wife-the Orphan Asylum
in Washington, her uiaassuming labour
of love-"
Other purchases which go to make up
the more than 500 acres contained in
the home grounds were a parcel of
three acres from James Stone, in 1885,
for $1,000, and 40 acres from Mrs. Emily
Woods in 1876, for $4,000.
Today the Soldiers Home has grown
into a great institution. 1t is governed
by board of commissioners, which in
cludes: Maj. Gen. Frederick w. Cole
man retlred), as governor; Maj. Gen.
James c. Magee, the surgeon general;
Maj Gen. Edmund B. Gregory, the quar-
termaster general; Maj. Gen. Howard
K. Loughry, chief of finance; Mai. Gen.
Evening star., 1943-08-01
BY Robert Shosteck.

Refreshing beverages from natures
own bar take on a practical interest dur
ing the hot summer months for the out
of-doors enthusiast interested in some
thing different" There is lots of fun
in gathering the aromatic and healthful
roots and bark of any one of a dozen or
more trees and shrubs, and in brewing
a refreshing tea or lemonade. The spe-
cies described here are all found in and
near Washington, and are readily identl-
fed by leaf, berries or bark. The ac-
companying drawings should be studied
closely so that you will have little trou-
BILE in recognizing your specimen.
The commcnest and, perhaps, the best
known beverage tree in this area Is the
sassafras. This species occurs in dry
localities, along fences, roads and the
edge Of woods. 1t is usually found as
small tree or shrub. Older trees are
recognized by the reddish-bro bark,
broken into fat ridges. The alternate
leaves are in three forms: Boat-shaped,
mitten- shaped or three-lobed, like the
illustration. All three shapes may be
found on the same twig.
The bark of the sassafras is distilled
commercially for its essential oil, and
it is used in medicine, perfumery, candy
making, soup flavoring and tea. The
roots may be gathered at any time of the
year. Young plants 2 to feet high may
often be pulled out of the soil, and the
roots cut off with a knife Gather a
pound or two, wash thoroughly, and cut
up into thin slivers. Do not break off
the root bark since this contains most
of the essence This bark may be used
fresh, or dried and put away. Very little
strength is lost through storage.
Delicious, Iced or Hot
The tea is made by sleeping the sliced
roots in boiling water for to 10 min
utes and serving the brew with sugar
and cream, to suit taste. 1t makes a
delicious drink whether served iced or
hot, and has a flavor all of it's own.
Sweet birch tea is another delightful
beverage which one may obtain from ma
tures bar This birch is a large forest
tree which occurs in the Potomac Valley
above Washington and in other moist
wooded areas. The somewhat heart
shaped leaves have toothed edge and
the sweet aroma of wintergreen. The
trees grow up to Is feet, and the bark
is furroWed on mature specimens.
The inner bark of roots, trunk or of
fast-growing young twigs may be COL
lected with sharp knife, since it is
readily separable from the weed 1t is
suggested that only twigs be cut so as
not to iniure or disfigure mature trees
The bark may be dried and stored for
Evening star., 1943-08-01
Historic Landmarks Of the Soldiers Home

Capt. Anderson, Kentuckian by birth,
will be especially recalled for the part
be took in the heroic defense of Fort
Sumpter, S. C. This strange contest"
we are told, between 70 men of the Union
side, and 1000 on the Confederate side,
lasted for "a hours mo one being hurt
on either side" However the barracks
on the fort. having been set on fire by
the shells, the garrison worn out, suffo-
Gated, and half blinded, the little force
was compelled to capitualte. They were
allowed to retire with the honors of war,
saluting their flag before hauling it down.
But, for the gallant and meritorious
conduct In the Harbor of Charleston"
Capt. Anderson was later brevetted a
major general.
Evening star., 1943-08-01

In 1874, Maj. Gen. Winfield Scott gave
particular attention to the idea of provid-
ing for aged, disabled and worthy soldiers
in his annual report, and on the strength
OF his representations, the Committee on
Military Affairs began urging the Gre
alton of such an establishment. On
March 5, 1846, the committee, acting
upon memorial of the officers stationed
at Fort Moultrie, and a petition signed
by the officers of the I'd United States
Infantry, again called the matter to the
attention Of Congress, and repeated their
recommendations on January 19, l84s, in
report based upon a memorial signed
by the officers of the Army then In
Mexico. All of these reports of the COM
nittee favored the enactment of the bill
which had been reported in 1841.
Gen. SCOTS Fund
But after the closs@efathel Mfxican
War, Gen. Scott, taking adyantages of.
the psychological opportunity, and
having in his possession 100000 which
he levied asa tribute upon the civ Of
MSAlSO-ul consequence OI b DTedCtl sOI
truce-transmitted 100000 of this sum
to the Secretary of War, in 1848. express
ing the hope that the money might be
placed to the credit of an Army asylum
This fund together with sl8,79l19 of the
sum levy, was by act of Congress of
March 8, 1851, made available for the
support Of the desired institution, which
was created by that act, and other pro-
visions were made for its support
The next thing was the selection of
q site for the home of which more
than so were offered within miles
of the city, in sizes ranging from 25 to
500 acres, and valued at from $50 to
$3.50 an acre. One hundred and fifty
acres of Mount Vernon were also
offered at s33333 an acre But the choice
finally fell upon two sites, one con-
tanning 200 acres belonging to George
w. Riggs, and an adjoining tract of
about go acres belonging to Charles
Scrivener. Later, after negotiations had
been concluded, Riggs agreed to take
Evening star., 1943-08-01

for victory. Well, the next news We
had was of Popes disaster at Bull Run.
Things looked darker than ever Finally
came the week of the Battle of Antietam.
l determined to wait no longer The
news came, think, on Wednesday,
that the advantage was on our side.
1 was then staying at the Soldiers
Home. Here I finished writing the
second draft of the proclamation: came
up on Saturday; called the cabinet
together to- hear it; and it was pub
lished the following Monday. I made
a solemn vow before God, that il Gen.
Lee was driven back from MARYLAND
would crown the result by the dedara-
ton Of freedom to the slaves"
Lincoln's Bedroom
President Lincolns bedroom Is said
to have been on the second floor of the
cottage and was the largest in the house.
Two large front windows opened di-
rectly over the porch and a splendid
view of the city was obtained. Inmedi-
ately beneath the bedroom Is what was
Mr.. Lincoln's sitting room This opens
directly upon the front porch.
When Mr.. Riggs parted with this
farm there was upon it, in addition to
the Anderson cottage, large and sub
stantial brick dwelling, another cottage,
brick stable and outbuildings.
Harewood, in the southern part OF the
John Breckenridge, noted divine who
is worthy Of more than passing notice
for he was the pioneer Presbyterian
Evening star., 1943-08-01

months The tea is made in much the
same manner as sassafras tea, and may
be served hot or cold The flavor Is ex-
actly like wintergreen.
Under the towering canopy of birches
one is likely to find the splcebush or wild
allspice, slender shrub to Is
feet high. Several stems usually grow
from the same clump of roots. The oval
leaves are dark green and smooth edged,
with very short stems. The scarlet ber-
ries are conspicuous through late sum-
mer and fall. The entire shrub Is strong
ly aromatic, particularly when the leaves
are crushed
The tWlgs, bark and leaves are used
in making tea. It's use as tea and as a
medicine was widespread in Colonial
days, and it is still used in the South.
In preparing 1t as a beverage one boils
the leaves and twigs for about Is
minutes, adding sugar and cream to suit
ones taste.
The staghorn sumac is often found in
the company of sassafras in dry, open
areas. 1t is recognized by the feathery
appearance of its leaves which are di-
vlded into as many as % leaflets. The
young tWigs are densely covered with
velvety hairs. thus in winter resembling
the horns Of a stag.
Has Crimson Berries
From July onward through the spring
one can quickly identify this small tres
by its compact clusters of crimson ber-
ries atop each branch. The sour juice
of these berries has given rise to the
common name of vinegar tree" to this
species. To make the Indian lemon
ade" from these berries, one need only
place them in water for a short time.
Add little sugar and the result is an
agreeable drink. The berries of several
Evening star., 1943-08-01
Dates Back to 1929

There is quite history regarding SOL
diers' Home that runs as far back as
February u, 1929, when report was
made by the Committee on Military
Affairs in Congress upon the subject OF
establishing "An Army Asylum Fund"
In 1840, Capt Robert Anderson set forth
the advantages which would result from
such an institution, and outlined plan
for acquiring it.
Evening star., 1943-08-01

property of Mrs. Reinmuth, mother Of
Miss Kate Reinnutn, who married John
A. Moore, son of George B. Moore,
whose nearby property was known as
Moore's Lane
The Anderson cottage was fittingly
named for Maj. Gen. Robert Anderson,
before mentioned, and 1t was here that
President Abraham Lincoln in July, 1862,
prepared the original draft of the
Emancipation Proclamation which he
issued following the Battle of Antitetam
Of this Mr.. Lincoln said Il put the
draft Of the proclamation aside, waiting
Evening star., 1943-08-01

Mountain tea, as beverage plant. This
species occurs south and east of Wash
ington in dry, sandy and open localities.
1t is to feet high. blooms from July to
September, and is distinguished from all
other goldenrods by the anselike frag-
rance of its leaves. These leaves should
be dried before using, The very pleas
ant beverage is made by sleeping them
in boiling water and serving it either
hot or cold.
The black alder or winterberry is
medium-sized shrub found in swamps,
Dogs and low ground 1t is handsome
bush with vertical stems and abundant
and conspicuous red berries which ripen
Evening star., 1943-08-01

Eugene Reybold chief of engineers; Mai.
Gen. Myron G. Cramer, the Judge adj
vocate general; Maj. Gen James A.
Ulio, the adjutant general, and Col.
Clark Lynn (rettredJ, secretary of the
board.
Though born in Baltimore, Md, Gen.
Coleman spent much of his life in WASH
ington, where he attended the public
schools, and was later appointed to the
Army from this city in 1898 His father.
for whom he was named though a New
Yorker by birth, was appointed to the
Army from Maryland, and in 1862 be-
came captain of the l51st New York
Volunteers, and was brevetted several
times, finally becoming a brevet major
In 1867 for gallant and meritorious
service in the Battle of Cold Harbor
in 1854 He resigned from the service
in 1874 and engaged in business in
Washington.
Evening star., 1943-08-01

IN August and persist through the winter.
1t Is slowly coming into its own as a
decorative plant.
The medical qualities of the bark and
berries of this species are oficially re-
corded in the United States Pharms-
copeia. The leaves possess tonic and
Alternative properties, while the berries
have purgative and vermifungic qualities.
The dried leaves, stepped in boiling water.
make an acceptable and healthful tea,
somewhat akin to Paraguay tea or yerba
mate, the South American relative of
Winterberry.
Coffee Substitutes
This account of native beverage plants
would be incomplete without a descrip-
ton of sCme well-knoWn coffee substi-
tuteS. Two of these which have been
tried and accepted are chicory and Ken
lucky coffee bean. The former is
common weed about Washington, famil-
larly known as blue sailors" Even
though this plant grows at our doorstep.
we have imported as much as seven
million pounds in one year for use as
coffee substitute or fiavoring. An appe-
tlzlng chicory brew is made by preparing
roasted and ground roots in the same
manner as coffee.
IL is OF interest to note that chicory
beverage was a staple dish with the
ancient Egyptians and that it has been
used throughout Europe up to the present
day Its popularity is increasing here
because OF the restrictions in the use of
coffee.
Inc Kentucky coffee tree is found az
an occasional escape from cultivation.
Many fine specimens grew in the CAPITOL
Grounds and in other parks About Is
rounded leaflets comprise the secondary
leaf stalk. The reddish-broW pods are
to inches long, about IL inches wide.
and contain six to nine hard beans.
These were roasted and ground by our
pioneer torebears and used in place of
coffee. Only occasional use is made of
them today.
Our check list of beverage plants
should include the following additional
species, all of which occur locally and
have been used for beverage purposes for
long time. The inQuiSitiVe herbaliSt
can ind descriptions of all of these in
standard flower guides. He should have
little difficulty in finding most of these
plants along the trail or at the roadside.
Name. Part Used. uohit of Growth
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-14
by Dr. Logan CIendening

ness will do moro good than the
administration ~ any ~ the
harhlturatcS, which induce an
unnatural sleep and result in no
sense of rcsffulneSS on awak-
eninG
TIVE exciting causes of wake
u fulncss are
First. long-Continued or ex-
cesSive intellectual activity or
any powerful emotion of The
mind.
Second. positions Of the body
which tend 10 result in unnatural
circulation.
This is far more profound
observation than II may seem
10 be.
In some types Of mental dis
turbance the patients mind is
absorbed in the contemplation Of
frightful illusions
Under these circumstances he
is afraid 10 close his eyes in
sleep and ignores all disposition
10 Slumber.
He obstinstely refuses 10 go
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-14
LENTEN REDUCING DIET
Thursdoy-693 Galleries
BREAKFAST

One universal vitamin pill. y
grapefruit mo ugar)-l00
calories; ! slice toast mo but
ter)--100 Galleries; l cup coffee
(no cream or sugar..
LUNCH
Potato salad medium size
potato, 1 small ONION, dressing
made with mineral oil-100
Galleries; 2 soda crackers-50
calories; l cup tea mo cream
or sugar.; l glass SKINNED milk
100 Galleries.
DINNER
Average helping cheese Souffle
-l50 cslories; l cup spinach
a. calories; / small helping
snow pudding-50 calories.
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-14
CHAPTER XXXI

THEY'RE drafting honest, re-
4 spectacle, Woodworking soldiers
back into civilian life now. az you
probably read in the papers. Has
beens AT IS, these good boys arc
turned into the pasture under a
Selective retirement system. It's
Interesting 10 watch the way they
take IL.
Our big loss in Battery A cape
Tuesday when Joe CAN'T went
back TO Liberty. S. C., after FIVE
months in the citizen army. Joe is
the nice corporal who looked like
the soldier pictures in the maya
zines, used an instructive pSy-
Ichology in handling his men, and
knew every man in the battery a.
a friend.
He was on furlough last week
when he was ordered 10 return Al
once 10 the battery. He came back
started through the discharge rou'
tine and went about hugging
everybody with what looked like
.unbounded JOY
Then he started getting quieter
and less demonstrative. He had
been relieved from active duty for
the remainder Of his stay here
matter Of four or five days
and when the men fell out for
icalisthenics or drill, Cpl. CAN'T
didn't have 10 90 out with them.
Every time the whistle blew, you
could see lonesome look creep
ing into his eyes.
/ The last time 7 saw him was
I Monday at noon. when we fell out
for chow. Military procedure was
oVerthrown IN a spontaneous reVo-
luton and Joe was drafted TO lead
US 10 the mess hall. II was his last
detail. Halfway 10 the mess hall,
ne gave US ITO the rear-march !.
To the right fank-march. To
the right fSnk-march" and all
Of the marching commands he had
taught US.
He's returning 10 Liberty now.
where he'll fall back easily into the
life he left five months ago But
you could have seen from a casual
glance that he was going 10 miss
the army.
4 MOTHER Of the men 10 be dis
"A chareed here was Little David"
Rosenthal Little David, a week
before he got his papers, had
talked 10 me in very respondent
manner. He outlined his definite
opinion that the men who are now
30 or 3G-odd years old have been
Systematically given the run
around by Fate. They grew up in
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-14
On the Side

We feH ont, my uife and 7,
o loe fell out 1 know not Uby,
And kissed again NTH tears.
And blessings on the falling out
That all the more endears
When ne jaH ont Nth those We
lore,
And kiss again Nth tears!
-Tennyson.
"a young matron OF Beau
mont, Tex, asks for the poem
that tells about married
couple kissing and making up"
tAbOve is an excerpt from
the only poem l know answer
Ing this description.-EVDO
ELLA LOGAN. Coincidence.
II Born in Glasgow
Ella is quite a wee bit o
Scotch.
She is 4 feet II inches tall
and weighs IS pounds.
Her married name is Mrs.
Fred Finkelhoffe.
DIAL OF mine was telling me
he caught his 15-year-old
daughter smoking cigaretS
kids are certainly wild now
adays," he said sadly,
| don't think the kids arc any
wilder than formerly.
When ! was a kid I remem-
Der catching my sister and an
other girl smoking cigarets and
trying TO look like adventur-
esses.
My sister jumped up and said
"Listen, II you tell i was
smekiHg am going 10 tell
mama you are a horseplsyer
with the l0-cent boOkies."
She had me there.
WHY argue whether the songs
w of the present are better
than those of the past?
In some periods OF the past
they were a lot worse than they
are today.
Songwriting, as 10 quality,
seems 10 run in cycles.
Between 1925 and 1885 were
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-14

II Asst week 7 gave some in
- stances 10 illustrate The fact
that all human beings need sleep
and that il is so necessary 10
them that they Get u even under
the conditions Of bodily pain and
|eXhauston.
AS look over the modern
theories about exciting causes
land treatment of wakefulneSs. !
do not feel that medical science
has made a great deal OF I'M
|provemcnt n this field.
In fact. ! am not sure but
v hat We have gone backward.
We have now a number OF
swiftly acting and harmless hyp-
|no,icS which are almost certain
viucc sleep.
|DCT they are so convenient
- that tho tendency 70 use
them prevents both doctors and
patients from using Older and
more permanently reliable meth
|ods Of curing insomnia.
The quiet old doctor who VIII
ST down and patiently Try 10
find out the cause Of wakeful-
Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-14

OLE EVINRUI5E invented the
" cupboard motor boat be-
cause he was too lazy 10 row
his girl friend around the lake.
Now cupboard motors are
being used by the Commands
in Europe.
Lazy persons nave invented
many things
A woman in Troy, n. Y, in
vented the detachable shirt
collar because she was too lazy
10 wash her husbands shirts
every time he got the collar
dirty.
Gen. George "Old Blood and
Cuts Patton is fond Of quoting
poetry 10 his men.
One of his favorites since cur
rent war started is:
The Lord gaze ms tCo ends to use,
One TO SIT 9th,
One 10 think NTH;
The cor depends on ichich ne
choose,
Heads we tCil, tails we lose.
Is YOUR next door neighbor a
i Leo, Sagittarian or Libra?
II you don't know you should,
says star gazer Sybil James
II will enable you 10 under
stand the lady next door better.
For example, If she is Libra
you should c aware of her
charm.
Libra women have "a way
with men, and enjoy putting it
TO use.
She may try to steal your
husband.
If the neighbor Is a Virgo, she
Is probably good housekeeper
and an efficient handler OF a
budget.
She might show you up as a
home manager.
If Gemini she is a wise
cracker and has a good sense OF
humor and can cheer you up
when you feel blue.
If Pisces, she will try TO be
mysterious and endeavor 10 Gre
ate an impression that she is "a
woman with past"
Copyright, 1919 by King Features