Evening star., 1952-01-20

to have been q farmer and banker
of Frankfort. KY, came to Washing
ton ut the request of President AN
drew jackson. to establish paper
in -"Old Hickory's" interest. This
brought forth the Globe in 1880.
Tt was at first q weekly, but q few
years later 1t became q daily. Blair
proved q vigorous editor, and, with
the able assistance Of John c. Rives
Of Virginia, who resigned as q clerk
in the Treasury Department to be-
come associated with him as man
ager Of the Globe, the paper became
very prosperous. It was printed where
the Munsey Building now stands.
After the sale Of the Globe for
$35 900 during the Polk administra-
tion. the firm Of Blair and Rives
continued to print congressional pro-
ceedings, and for this purpose a
suitable building was erected In 1845
on the north side Of Pennsylvania
avenue between Third street and
John Marshall place. In the rear
OF the building was the printing
oflce. the front being occupied by
stores on the first floor, and the
upper floors by bathrooms. This build
ing was called jackson Hail." by
which name it was known as long as
it remained standing and it was here
that ball for the benefit of the poor
was held on the occasion Of the in
auguration of President Zachary
Taylor in 1849. This building was
known for many years as 339-341
Pennsylvania avenue.
The Historian Bancroft
During the short period from 1845
to 1846 that the historian Bancroft
was Secretary Of the Navy, the Blair
house was rented to him, and 1t was
while here residing that he succeeded
In having established the United
States Naval Academy at Annapolis.
John Y. Mason, who was Secretary
Of the Navy from 1846 to 1849. was
next to occupy the mansion. and he
was succeeded by Thomas Ewing,
who had adopted "Cump" Sherman
(otherwise known as w. r. Sherman)
after the death Of the latter's father
in 1929, and had him appointed to
q cadetship at West Point. Sherman,
either for love or gratitude-and
maybe both-later married Ewing's
daughter. Tom Corwin, Secretary Of
the Treasury in the cabinet Of Presi-
dent Fillmore, was the last occupant
before the family Of Montgomery
Blair moved in. It was the town house
of the family until Mr.. Blair's death
in 1885,, ....
One Of the social events of more
than passing Importance which took
place in this house was the marriage
of Elizabeth, daughter Of Francis P.
Blair, to the son Of Admiral and Mrs.
Lee. The affair is said to have been
one Of the most magnificent ever
given in the Capital up to that time.
Deoth Of Froncis BIoir
Francis Preston Blair died at his
home at Silver Spring, Md, Wednes-
day, October 18, 1876. and his death
Is recorded In The Star Of the next
day as follows:
Death Of Francis P. Blair
IAN Old-time Journalist Departed.
"A Noted Man in His Time.
"A private dispatch received in this
city but last night from Silver Spring,
Md, made the sad announcement Of
the death Of the venerable Francis p.
Blair, at his home at Silver Spring,
yesterday afternoon. The venerable
Virginian retained his physical vigor.
his mental faculties, and his spright-
illness Of disposition to a remarkable
degree, and always took the deepest
interest in the events Of the time. He
was, perhaps, the best informed man
In the country concerning all the po-
litical intrigues and exciting epochs
through which the country has passed
during the last half Of the century. In
the exciting issues which divided men
and parties In the days Of President
Jackson, Mr.. Blair, as an editor, an
adviser and politician, was most
prominent. and exerted a powerful
influence. In the period preceding
and during the Civil War he was also
a prominent figure. He has outlived
most Of those with whom he took an
active part in public affairs. When
his son, F. P. Blair, jr., was mere
boy. Mr.. Blair said his hope was to
live to see that boy man. The boy
died at the age Of So years. after q
most eventful career. and his father
has survived him many months.
Francis Preston Blair was born in
Abingdon. Washington County. Va.
April II, 1871. and was consequently
in the 86th year Of his age. He was
educated at Transylvania University
Kentucky, and studied law, but from
i'll health and weakness of voice never