Evening star., 1951-02-04

grounds are about to be trans
formed from a beautiful park to
an area not quite so fascinating,
the old-timer and those who are
growing old gracefully, no doubt
the mere mention of the home
and its grounds will bring to
mind a flooo OF recollections of
childhood days
The grounds were then inclosed
with a high board fence at least
7 feet. Since the boards had
begun to rot, it was not difficult
job even for a child to remove
one In order to gain entrance to
the grounds at some secluded
point. Once inside, the denseness
of the wood made the youngsters
and the grown-ups, too-com-
paratively safe from detection.
Occasionally Officer Morgan. or
"Tall -Sergt." Slattery or one of
the other mounted policemen from
1t. Johnson's old second precinct
would ride by along the outside,
but rarely enter the grounds. nor
was there any particular reason
why they should have done so, for
no one it seems ever did anything
within the grounds OF a destruc-
tive or serious nature.
The lakes, which you may still
see today within the western part
Of the grounds, just off Park road,
then known as Whitney avenue,
were a favorite place for skating
In the wintertime when ice was
sufficiently thick for this purpose
The skaters would build a fire
close to the edge Of the lakes to
keep themselves warm when not
cutting figure eights and perform
ing other difficult feats on the ice,
and If a boy were missing from
school when skating was at its
best he could usually be picked up
here or at Babcock's Lake in the
Monuments Grounds. Both were
ideal places for the sport.
Statue of General Scott
To Gen. Winfield Scott, NO
doubt, is due the largest part OF
credit for establishing the SOL
diers' Home, and the heroic statue
of that great soldier, which was
by the celebrated artist. Launt
Thompson, and which was erected
by the House at cost of $4,000
on the most commanding point OF
the grounds in 1874, Is a fitting
tribute to a general who never
forgot the welfare of the mer
who fought In the ranks.
1t Is true that early plans had
been suggested for the forming o1
Army or military asylums for dis
abled soldiers. but the establish
ing of the Military Asylum al
Washington by act of Congress o1
March 8. 1851, did not assume
definite shape until the transmits
sion by Gen. Scott. in February
1848. of the draft for 100000, &
part of the tribute levied on tn,
City of Mexico for the benefit O.
the Army. In a letter on thi
subject dated November, 1849
Gen. Scott had this to say:
This draft was payable to me
and in order to place the deposit
beyond the control of any indi.
vidual functionary whatever. I in
dorsed it. The Bank of America
will place within amount to the
credit Of the Army asylum, sub.
ject to the order of Congress
The Original Property
Originally the home grounds
consisted of 256 acres, purchased
of George w. Riggs, and his coun.
try residence. known as the An.
derson Cottage. just west of the
Scott Building. is still standing ir
good condition. To the origina
purchase up to 1869 was added
about Is acres. and in 1872 tht
adjoining estate of Harewood
containing 191 acres, was pur.
chased from w. w. Corcoran
With the small additions later
made to the grounds the tota
acreage was brought up to more
than 500 acres.
The property originally pur-
chased from Mr.. Riggs, which in.
cludes that portion to the north
containing the main buildings,
had as prior owners John Agg
Leonard Storm and James Hoban
the last named the architect o1
the White House: Benjamin Ogle
Tayloe. son Of John Tayloe, owner
Of Petworth, and the Glebe o1
Rock Creek parish. The lax.
property was purchased from ASS
Whitney, the prior owners beins
George Taylor and Anthony Hol.