Evening star., 1951-01-28

garded-and justly so-as Of the
first families of Washington.
However, prior to Cowtown and
around that period, all sections of
Tic ci,y Ecd unlcIiul COW pastures,
and Poundmaster Samuel Einstein
was always kept busy taking up
all sorts of stray animals covered
by the law. But as the COW did
more roaming than did other ami
mails, the early law provided that
no person shall own and keep
within the city limits, and that no
COW shall be pastured within 100
feet Of a dwelling" These and
other regulations provided for the
restriction OF cows IN particular.
Starting from the Capitol Hill
and going south In the stretch Of
open ground along First street
east, South Capitol and the old
canal and down about Buzzard
Point could always be seen herds
OF cattle. East Washington also
had its pasture lands, and here,
In Swampoodle, horses were often
taken up and impounded by the
poundmaster.
Poundmaster Was Busy
The following is from an early
account Of one Of these impound-
ings, and serves to demonstrate
the unpopularity of the Job:
And phwat are you taking the
horse for?" inquired the frowning
O'Flaherty, planting himself in
front of the wagon.
1.-The horse was on the parking.
I have to take it. That's the law,
sir, and I can't help It, So said
the gallant poundmaster pleas
antly, but firmly, as he whipped
up his horse.
'shtop.' roared Mr.. oF1aherty.
How much is it?'
1.-TWO dollars said Mr.. Elm
stein.
"Oh. that's too much.' said Mr..
O'Flaherty.
"'Drive on said the pound
master to one Of his assistants.
'Shtop.' roared Mr.. O'Flaherty.
Wait yez till I get the money
"Mr. OFlaherty, abandoned his
warlike swagger. returned to his
domicile and speedily returned
with 81. for which he was given
receipt. His horse was there
upon released. and the youths set
up again a shout of hog catcher
which this time had a triumphant
accent. On the expedition moved
through a region which the
poundmaster described as the
heaven Of the nanny goat on
account Of its being thickly in
vested with those omnivorous but
useful creatures.
Charging over a divide near
Delaware avenue, a wide expanss
OF commons came to view. About
40 cows were scattered over the
vacant spaces, apparently unat-
tended. There was a shanty in
the foreground. and the only hu-
man being visible was a woman
who was moving about In the
shanty with her skirts pinned up
shockingly high. skillet in one
hand and knife in the other.
Just as the poundmen were swing
ing off from the wagon to make
a dash upon the COWS the woman
caught sight of the wagon. and
rushed out of the house, holding
the skillet and knife aloft and
screaming wildly.
"She dove rapidly around the
corner of the house, displaying
considerable stocking and under
wear in her expeditions move
ment. Instantly a dozen men ap-
peared and rushed with frantic
gesticulations among the cows.
Presently the hillsides were alive
with men, women and children
fastening in all directions to the
scene of action. The moment
was supremely thrilling. The cows
caught the contagion of excite
ment and pranced wildly around
the commons. One small boy got
his mothers COW by the tail, and
the noble animal, thus stimulated.
plunged up hill at such rate
that the urchin actually sailed
through the air behind her. still
clinging tenaciously to the stiff
fened tail. The poundmen were
active. and, schooled by experi-
ence. herded a few Of the cows
together and started of with them
in the midst of a hooting and
shrieking mob. Some of the men
shook their fists in the faces Of
the party, but offered no further
violence. The Star reporter was
left to guard the horse and
wagon"