Evening star., 1945-08-12


residence of Sir Frederick Bruce and
other foreign diplomats, including Mr..
Baggott, the British Minister, John
Mason, jr, and other persons also re-
sided here
In 1872 the mansion and 10000 feet
of ground were purchased by the Gov
ernment for s25,0oo, with an allowance
of $1,000 in addition for altering and
repairing the building, and the follow
ing year Congress provided $4,000 to
complete the alterations and for re-
fitting the hospital and $28,50O for its
maintenance, and much additional
ground was subsequently acquired.
Old Hill Mansion
This hospital had its beginning in
1866, mainly through the efforts of DR..
j. Harry Thompson who was surgeon
in charge from 1866 to 1878, when he
removed to Rome, Italy, where he died.
Originally the home of the hospital
was in the old Hill mansion, which
stood to the northwest of Thomas Cir
Gle, where Fourteenth street and Mass.
dCuuScttS avenue lnteISeCL.
w. w. Birth, who left behind his
recollections of persons and places in
the vicinity of Washington Circle, from
about 1900 to 1920. says
On the square bounded by K street,
Rock Creek, L and Twenty-seventh
streets, John Lawrence had a morocco
dressing plant, occupying the western
half of the block. There were two
houses, one of them in the use of the
caretaker and his family, and the other
a long, two-story building, in the use
for hides and currying and storing
them. Numerous vats and a wharf on
the creek made the establishment very
complete for that day in this section.
On K, between Lawrence and Twenty.
seventh streets, there were three two
story brick dwellings-the corner one
occupied by James Birth, the next one
west by Andrew Coyle, in the shoe
trade, and the most western by a man
whose name I have now forgotten"
Mr. Lawrence's dwelling was the
Harbaugh house, on Twenty-eighth
street south Of K, as before mentioned.
He afterward re-established himself in
Georgetown, at the southwest corner
OF o and Thirty-f1fth streets. his dwell.
ing being on the opposite side of Thirty.
fifth below o. This site of his busi.
ness place is now covered by a row
OF two-story brick dwellings. The
homestead still stands. unaltered, for a
wonder, In this day Of rapid changes.
Samuel Smoot
"On the north side of K, between
Twenty-sixth and Twenty
Samuel Smoot owned and occupied a
two-story brick, standing about Is feet
west of Twenty-sixth. 1t is still there,
but little changed. Later, William Hay
man erected his large brewery estab.
lishment on the southwest corner.
THE next square east had not house
OF any kind on it. The block still farther
east had only two structures, one at the
junction Of K, Twenty fourth and Penn
sylvania avenue, log-and-frame house
in use by a man named Hollenback,
who did light smithing business, such
as repairing shotguns and locks, sharp
ening mechanics tools, etc. The other
house was that OF Satturlee Clark, on
the Avenue and before mentioned. Op-
posite this square on the south side of
K, at the southeast corner of that and
Twenty-fifth, Rufus Eliot lived in two
story frame, and east of that in sim.
liar house, standing on wide lot, was
the home of George Mcdaniel, a clerk
in one of the Government departments.
Adjoining Mr.. McDaniel's east line
Richard Eliot, brother of Rufus, had
his home in two-story frame.
Rufus Eliot's daughter became the
wife of John C. Rives and Richards
family was Rev. Jared L. and Maj.
Edward G. and two daughters, Maria
and Florida. Mr.. Mcdaniel afterward
built on the second lot east of Richard
Eliot the handsome two-story, base
ment and attic dwelling yet standing.
His family at that time was George
and William and a daughter Mary,
William became physician and located
in Anne Arundel County, Md. Mary
married Dr. John H. Bayne of Oxon Hill,
Nd, who was during the Civil War a
surgeon in the United States Army.
The McDaniels and DR.. Bayne were
with me at school. DR.. Bayne was q
splendid and favorite of all who knew
him"
A famous old landmark which stood
for many years at the northeast corner
OF Twenty-first street and Pennsylvania
avenue was O'Neale's Tavern, later the
Franklin Hotel. william ONeale was
the proprietor and he settled In the
block on street between Twentieth and
Twenty-first streets as early as 1895.
when he was engaged in making buck.
cts. barrels, tubs, hogsheads, etc., for
he was by trade cooper. However,
ne had room or two to spare. for three
or four gentlemen, a fact which he did
not hesitate to advertise.
He was q prosperous Irishman and
soon had built up quite hotel business,
having enlarged his place considerably,
and operate private buses from the
Capitol to his place of business for the
benefit Of members Of Congress, one of
his early guests being Gen. John H.
Eaton, who soon formed an attachment
for the proprietor's daughter Margaret,
whom he later married.
KNOWN when girl as Peg" O'Neale.
this famous lady married June 20. 1916.
. purser in the United States Navy
named John B. Tiniberlake.