Evening star., 1948-03-07
By John cIosett Proctor

objected to the oyster In the un-
cooked state. They wanted oysters
cooked, and accordingly Harvey pro-
vided for them oysters boiled in the
shells.
From this was evolved what has
come to be known as steamed oys-
ters, by many persons regarded as
one of the most delicious dishes
known to man. Presidents, Senators
members of the House, justices OF
the Supreme Court, members of the
diplomatic corps, and nearly all
prominent foreign visitors have TAX
en- occasion to dine at Harvey's.
1T was in 1858 that Harvey'i
steamed oysters received their Off
cial recognition from the Govern
ment. This recognition came in
the shape of a request from Mrs
Seward, wife of the Secretary OF
State, who asked the Harvey broth
ers to prepare a steamed oyster
supper for President and Mrs. Lin
coin. A private room was deco
rated for the occasion. President
and Mrs. Lincoln and Secretary
and Mrs. Seward sat down to q
private steamed oyster feast.
"Col. Harvey. with his brother
Thomas M. Harvey, established the
restaurant in 1856. It was opened
first as an oyster house, and later
enlarged, until 1t became one of the
leading first-class dining rooms Of
Washington. 1t attained great sue.
cess during the Civil War period
and has been successful ever since
Mast Drew Cartoon
Thomas Mast was a patron oi
Harveys. While at the restaurant
he drew the famous AIS Wei
That Ends Well cartoon. Severa
clubs have for years made it ar
annual practice to meet at Harvey S
Among them are the Canvasbacl
Club. formed there in 1886, and the
Tapeworm Club, comprising the
New York delegation in Congress
which has had many distinguished
guests, including Speakers Reed
Henderson and Cannon.
Henry Watterson, when in Wash.
ington, could always be found al
Harvey's. He never dined there
without insisting that Col. Harvey
sit with him. For hours the two
men would discuss the old days ano
their superiority to those of the
present"
Shortly after this. the Avenue en-.
trance to the President Theater
next to Harvey's, was removed as
we'll as the theater building on the
northeast corner of G and Eleventh
streets, structure which stood or
the site of the old Washington
Theater, designed by George Had
field. AS this theater building orig
finally stood, it was "a feet on {
street and 1876 feet inches on Elev
enth street. 1t was begun in 180'
and opened to the public on Friday
November 16, 1904, the offering be-
ing "A Grand Medley Entertainment
by the celebrated Mr.. Maginnis from
London, who has performed In mos
of the capital cities of Europe ant
America
AS far back as 1908, the grand
father of the Joseph Jefferson
whom we of the present day say
in rip Van Winkle,' played "Th
Rivals" or "A Trip to Bath" and
year after Francis Scott Key wrot
THE Star Spangled Banner" tn
piece was sung here and was ere
ceived with tumultuous and un
bounded applause" Gen. Andrev
Jackson attended here perform
ance for the benefit of the poor. II
1919 President Monroe and hi
family witnessed play here, AM
this is said to have been the frs
time a President attended Wash
ington playhouse. The theater wa
destroyed by fire April 10, 1920, leav
ing standing only the walls.
| In June. 1921, the site 1f the oil