Evening star., 1944-07-23

Thomas Jefferson, Who was
chosen President By the House OF
Representatives in February,
1901.
according to tradition, and OF Penn's
associates, who were cordially received
in this country by this hospitable chief
OF the DelaWares. ."
When Washington Voted
But prior to the forming of this
society, Washingtonians did actually
and for the first and last time-vote for
President and Vice President of the
United States. This was in 1900, when
John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were
the principal contestants for the highest
office. However, this privilege was due
to the terms of the Residence Act ap-
proved July 16, 1870, which ended shortly
after this presidential election.
The press at that time rarely gave
the details of local happenings, con-
flning itself largely to political matters
and such filters" as the life of Ben
Franklin, Napoleon Bonaparte, Julius
Caesar and other notable historical
personages. But fortunately, one of our
local historians, Christian Hines, who
was present at the Georgetown polls
upon this celebrated occasion, has left
r us an account. which is worth repeating
here. He says:
Election in Georgetown
The election between Mr.. Jefferson
and Mr.. Adams for the presidency,
which later resulted in the choice of Mr..
Jefferson, was held in Suter's Tavern, in
Georgetown, In the year 1800
The house was a one-story frame and
stood on High street, between Bridge
and Water streets, and a little east of
the Canal Bridge. George Peter who
was then a lieutenant in the Regular
Army, had, think, his recruiting office
in three-story brick house directly
south OF the tavern, or pretty near
where Waters -four warehouse now
stands. In those days there were two
political parties-the Federals and Re-
pubhcans. The Federal party upheld
Mr.. Adams and the Republican party
supported Mr.. jefferson.
We'll, the ballot box was brought and
the polling of votes commenced, while a
large crowd, as is usual on such oc-
casions, was gathered in front of the
tavern. After the election had contin-
ued some time, and the bad whisky had
begun to operate. some of the crowd be-
gan to dispute and quarrel, and perhaps
few had already the modification Of
having been knocked down.
An Election Fight
AT length, man named Shipley
stepped out and challenged any man
OF the opposite party to come out and
fight him, promising to whip him if
he would do so. A short time elapsed
when 1t. Peter, who was of the oppo-
site party, undertook to furnish a man
to fight Shipley. So he sent for one Of
his enlisted soldiers. named Lovejoy.
who accepted the challenge, and ap-
peared ready for the fray. He was a
very large man, well proportioned and
stood about feet high. Shipley was
nearly the same height, and very bony
and muscular, but not so stout as
Lovejoy.
The crowd having formed ring, the
combatants went into the fight with a
will, those in the crowd occasionally
cheering and otherwise ENCOURAGING
their choice of the men. In those days
the practices of gouging, choking and
biting were very much in vogue among
the bullies, and when one would sue.
ceed in getting the other down, the first
thing he would do would be to feel for
his antagonists eyes and there insert
his thumb or finger and, II possible,
force out an eye. If he could not sue
ceed thus in making his opponent cry
enough, he would seize him by the
throat and choke him when, If he would
signify that he had enough, the by
ISLANDERS would separate them.
I'm this case, however, Shipley and
Lovejoy pounded each other a while,
then closed and wrestled until one Of
them slipped and they fell in the mud
together Shipley proved too active for
his adversary and succeeded in getting
on top of him, when he instantly felt
for Lovejoys eyes, which he smeared
full of mud. The crowd then parted
them. raised Lovejoy up and proceeded
to wash the mud from his eyes and
face, but, alas! Lovejoy was a blind
man for the remainder of his days.
Since then I have seen him led about
the streets Of Georgetown by q boy.
With shipley. who was . tailor and
lived In Georgetown, was well &C..
Quainted."