Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1951-08-05

service for Georgetown and the
infant Capital had its beginning
in May, 1900, when a two-horst
stage covered the route from N
street near Wisconsin avenue tx
Tunnecliff's Tavern. which ther
stood on A street NE, to the real
of the Old Brick Capitol. Ions
since removed.
At this period there were prac'
tically no street Improvements II
Washington, and what is nov
Pennsylvania avenue was a deer
morass covered with elder bushes
The width of the intended Avenue
was cut through during the Their
ensuing winter.
The stage referred to could moi
have used Pennsylvania avenue fol
their trips, but rather went by way
of the F street ridge, which was
by high ground.
| Gilbert Van Derwerken. who
moved into Georgetown after the
Civil War, is generally credited
with being the father of public
transportation in Washington.
| At the time Of his death, II
1894, the press spoke at length
of his life and activities in the
growing Capital of the Nation
which he had seen transformed
from a mudhole to a beautiful,
city. One account at that time
appearing in The Star. reads:
I'm the death of Mr.. Gilbert
Van Derwerken the community
loses a notable citizen. He wa:
remarkable for his connection
with the business interests o.
Washington City and with the
notable events occurring during
the "a years of his life.
His ancestors were among TIT
earliest Dutch settlers of Sara
toga County, N. Y, where, a
Waterford, N. Y, on February 5
1910, he was born. In his child
hood days Indians were numerous
in the neighborhood of his home
He remembered seeing the soldier!
in the War of 18l2-1814 and re-
called the treaty of peace tina
closed it. He saw Lafayette on hi
second visit to this country. At l.
years of age he was apprenticed t.
James Gould. coach and omnibu!
maker. at Albany, N. Y.
Before he became of age hi
was put in charge and became
part owner of a line of stages
between Vera Cruz, Hallappa
Pueblo and the City Of Mexico
in the exciting period of Santa
Anna and BuStementi in 1880.
Adams Express Origin
I'm 1884 he returned to tn,
United States. on account of thu
war, and soon after was married
to Jane Evaline Van Denburgll
and in 1885 returned to Newark
IN. j.. where he established anc
entered into the manufacture o.
stage coaches, omnibuses anC
railroad cars. Twice his factors
was burned. causing great loss
and twice he rebuilt and con.
quered the difficulties. The frs
railway passenger coaches il
New Jersey and probably in the
United States were manufactured
in his factory in New Jersey.
Years ago he met a Mr.. Adams
who was in some financial trouble
and he proposed to Mr.. Adams
that the latter go into the bust
ness. Mr.. Van Derwerken built
the wagons and obtained the
horses and thus advanced the
means for starting what grew
into the great Adams Express Co
In 1849-50. his wife's health be-
ing bad in Newark, he sold Out
his factory and removed to Wash.
ington City and took persona
control of his line of omnibuse!
| in this city.
ION the appearance of the
streetcar system he came within
two votes in the United State!
Senate Of getting the franchise
afterward obtained by the Wash
ington & Georgetown Railroad
Co. His omnibuses ran from
Georgetown along Bridge street
from High, where his warehouse
was, thence along Pennsylvania
avenue to the Capitol and Navy
Yard: also on Seventh and Four
tenth streets. In 1862 he retired
from the omnibus business ano
confined his interest to the street.
car lines referred to.
Just before the beginning Of
the Civil War he moved from the
city to Virginia and built the pres
Ient homestead, Falls Grove. in
Alexandria County, now Van Der
Werken, Arlington County, Va.
where he resided until his death
His previously active life forbade