Evening star., 1951-06-03
At Ninth and F Streets
ReeoIIections Of Busy Downtown Corner
In Washington During the Eighties
By John CIoqett Proctor

lett Proctor
Rev. Smith resided at 90 New
York avenue NV, while the Rev.
Kelly's home was at SIC Fourth
street.
John Mcleod
During the Civil War, from July.
1852, to March 2. 1868. the Fourth
Presbyterian Church was used as
a military hospital, the pews being
covered over with boards. On the
adjoining lot to the north John
Mcleod kept a school for many
years.
This famous pedagogue Of by
gone days, according to Mr.. Bryan,
was of Irish extraction, and first
opened a school in the year 1908
on the west side Of Eighth street,
a short distance north Of I street
Sc, and opposite the Marine
Barracks, later moving to D
street, between Third and Fourth
streets, in the same section. After
the war Of 1812-1815 Mr.. Mcleod
sold this school property near the
Navy Yard and erected a school
building known as Central Acad.
emy, with a residence at the south
west corner Of Tenth and G streets
NV, on the site now occupied by
the building Of Woodward g.
Lothrop and at an earlier date by
ISt. Vincent'S Orphan Asylum.
This property, we are told, was
leased in 1916 by John P. Van
Ness to John Mcleod for 80 years
at an annual rental Of Sis with
the right to purchase at any time
at the rate of 10 cents per square
foot. The ground extended along
G street 100 feet and on Tenth
street 1873 feet" Here Mr.. Mcleod
conducted his school until about
1885, when he sold 1t to Rev.
Father Matthews for the use Of
st. Vincent's Asylum. which that
reverend gentleman had founded.
Soon afterward Mr.. Mcleod pur-
chased the tract Of land at the
northwest corner Of Ninth street
and Grant place, where he erect.
teo, and conducted for many years.
the Columbian Academy. He died
at the ripe old age of 10 years in
1S46.
School Opened at Daybreak
Some children feel they have an
awful hard time going to school,
but if they had to be present in
school by daybreak for a few
months-as they had to do some
times during the early daysEthey
really might have vigorous kick
coming, but that is just what
school children once had to do in
this city and elsewhere. Mr.. Bryan
in his "A History of the National
Capital" says of this noted edu-
Gator:
I He was the most individual
figure of the early days Of educa-
) ton in Washington. For 80 years.
or until his death in his 80th
year, he conducted a school that
brought him money and also repu-
tation, for it was said Of him that
he taught three generations OF
'Washingtonian He had the i'm
petuosity, the fire. and the kindli-
ness of the Celtic nature. His was
Ia forceful personality. In COM
Imunity where eight hours consti-
Ituted the average school day
Throughout the year, he was able
ito prolong it by adding from an
ihour and a half to two hours,
mot alone in his school. but other
stschools, impelled by his success.
,lfollowed his example. My school
lis open and in complete order
! by daybreak throughout the
year. he stated in a newspaper
card. the teachers ready to attend
the scholars, as they enter, and
there is always a great number at
/ business by sunrise ;" a.
: Mr.. Mcleod did, however, strain
! the point to permit two weeks va
5 cation IN summer and allowed the
? pupils to remain away from school
S on recognized holidays.
Strict Disciplinarian
Like all the old schoolmasters
: of whom we have knowledge. Mr..
S Mcleod was a strict disciplinarian
} and religiously saw that his cele-
S brated motto, "Order Is Heavens
First Law" was carried out to the
letter, and many prominent Dis
h trict people. including Gov. Alex
. ander r. Shepherd. who at one
$ time resided at 713 Ninth street.
I opposite the school, in q little
e brick house which stood back from
a the street and which was removed
y when the Rialto Theater was built.
obtained their early education
D under Mr.. Mcleod.
S Later on the school site was
D purchased by William Gait Of the
= well-known Pennsylvania avenue
e jewellers.