Evening star., 1950-11-26

0y JOHN Sie
There have been many changes
in Sixteenth street since the writer
first recalls it in his childhood days,
and he has seen it develop from
Scott Circle north to Columbia
road and as a resident of Merid-
ian Hill from 1887 to 1905. and
the changes made throughout this
area can hardly be visualized. Two
early structures in particular, re-
called by the writer, was the old
Wayland Seminary, and a frame
structure was then on the site OF
the old French Embassy--to the
north OF 2400 Sixteenth street,
This seminary, erected in 1874
cost $4,000, was several years
later removed to Richmond. Here
also. close by, on the west side OF
Sixteenth Street was once the
home of Commodore Porter.
| OF the old Porter mansion. the
late DR.. Benjamin w. Sunny
once told the writer that he saw it
burn down in 1868. while he was
attending Columbian University
(now George Washington Univers-
ity).
Joaquin Miller Cottage
Winding it's way from its source
somewhere to the north was Slash
Run, the course Of which was be-
tween Fifteenth and Sixteenth
streets, until it reached a little
north of the standpipe, when 1t
took a southwesterly course, fol-
lowing the present Kalorama road.
During the untold number OF
centuries that this stream had
existed it had cut its way deep
into the earth, some places being
Is or more feet lower than the
surrounding surface OF the ground.
Another structure then on
Meridian Hill, which was Of so
much interest as later to be re-
moved to Rock Greek Park, was
the Joaquin Miller cottage,
erected about 1883 by the cele-
brated Poet of the Sierras."
Miller, whose real name was Gin
cinnatus Heine. was living here
and writing for a Washington
newspaper when he built this log
house and here he was visited by
many prominent persons.
In 1884. Eugene Field wrote an
interesting account Of visit he
made to the poet and his loe
cabin on Meridian Hill. The
building then stood on Crescent
street. somewhat to the rear oil
the Meridian Mansions. 1t was
sold in 1887 to Richard c. Duboi.
for $500. and rented in June
Of that year to A. A. Adee
Assistant Secretary Of State, who
resided there for some time
afterward.
Scottish Rite Masonry
One Of the more recent addi-
tions to Sixteenth and Harvard
streets NV. Is the Scottish Rite
Temple. This ancient branch
Of Masonry is not a very old
organization in Washington, hav-
ing been first introduced here,
to quote William L. Boyden in
"Harper's History Of the Grand
Lodge Of Freemasonry. in the
District Of Columbia" when the
Supreme Council for the Southern
jurisdiction Of the United States
elected Brother Benjamin Brown
French to receive the SD degree
Of sovereign grand inspector gen.
eral, as an active member of the
Supreme Council for the District
Of Columbia, he being on the
18th day of December. 1859. duly
invested with that degree by the
sovereign grand commander.
Gen. Albert Pike"
It is not the intent Of the writer
to give here the history Of local
Scottish Rite Masonry. except to
say that during the Civil War 1t
lay dormant. and it was not until
January 10, 1867. that it became
active again. when B. B. French,
George c. Whiting. Christopher
Ingle and Ben Perley Poore. all Of
the 33d degree. met at the Club
House." Fifteenth and H streets
NV. (probabiy the Metropolitan
Club. at 8 o'clock pm. to con-
slider the status Of the Ancient
and Accepted Rite in the District
of Columbia. From this meeting
a new start was made. and so
successful were its supporters in
pushing the rite forward that by
June 20, 1867. we find Benjamin
B. French, the active SD. as
| sisted by others, invading the
e HuDpv Duvs!