Evening Star Newspaper, October 31, 1891, Page 8

acs cumtloges pate Be mown of @ road which leads up 4 FAMOUS TREB A VIEW OF BENNING. ROADSIDE SKETCHES. Interesting Things Seen in Walks About Washington. . A TRAMP TO BENNING. Something About the Old Beall Fatate, Whore Owner Held « Large Strip of Land Extend- Ing From the Patuxent River to Rock Creek— Capt. Benning’s Mansion and the Work the Owner Did. Written for The Evening Star. OR A TRAMP TO BENNING AND LAN- dover (formerly Wilson's Station) take West Benning road at the intersection of that road with the Baltimore road, Maryland and Florida avenues and 15th and H streets northeast; thence to Race Course road, to Anacostia road, to East Bladensburg road. to Wilson road, to Marlboro’ road, to Sheriff road, to Anacostia road, to West Benning road, to city. Condition of the roads: West Benning road, good; Anacostia road, fair, sandy and heavy; East Bladensburg road, fair; Wilson road, rough and heavy; Marlboro’ road, hilly, hard and rough; Sheriff road, good. Entering West Benning road Graceland cem- etery is on the left at the junction of the roads. ‘It contains forty acres and was established in 1872. This point is two miles west of the vil- lage of Benning. A short distance east of the cemetery you pass on the lefta byroad that leads northward to tome farm houses. Approaching Benning bridge you get a good | arm view of the hills to the eastward, and of the country to the right and left. The Jail. Alms ‘House and Work House on the right and the Re- form Sehool on the left are conspicuous. Ola Fort Mahon of war time memory stood on the eminence immediately in front, elevated 170 feet above the river. The well- ved earthworks which are ob- served a littie enst and south of the town are known as “Fort Scaggs.” ‘THE ANACOSTIA RIVER. Viewing the Anacostia today with its very | limited supply of water, one would be apt to question the fact that the stream was once navigable for good-sized vewels to Bladens- burg, some four miles to the northward. | The present bridge was built about the year | 1880 by Capt. William Benning. founder of the town of Benning, and was toll bridge until about 1850. It has been so roughly handled in the past by the elements that hardly a plank of the original bridge can be found in the dilapi- | dated structure of today. In 1839 it was almost | = BIG OAK TREE, SHERIFF nosn. destroyed by a freshet, but it was re the following year. Upon the comple- jon of the repairs Mrs. Benning, widow of the founder of the town of Benning, issued the following address to the public: “March 5. 1840. “SNoricz.—The subscriber, in the most re- spectful manner, begs leave to inform her ‘iends and the public that she has lately, at i expense, had the bridge across’ the Eastern branch repaired; and she is informed by competent Judges, that she can recommend as in good order and perfectly safe toaccommodate travelers. She’ is willing to Jet the bridge by the year to farmers, &c. “For terms please apply to Mr. Enos D. Fuller. “Axs Beyxrxo.” The Mr. Fuller mentioned above was the keeper or superintendent of the bridge. At the last session of Congress an appropri- ation of £65,000 was made for the construction of anew iron bridge, and the temperary wooden structure that is now being erected is for the use of the public during the time that the new bridge is being built. Arriving at the eastern end of the a George Miller's public house is noticed on Tight Here will also be noticed quite a fleet of small boats, which Mr. Miller keeps for the accommodation of parties and others desiring them. ‘MB. GEORGE SHERIFF'S PLACE. Advancing along the road, and reaching the top of the hill, the gate to Mr. George B Sheriff's place is passed on the left. Just be- Yond bere, and before reaching the railroad Race Course road is taken to the left the left Mr. Sheriff's residence end barn in yonder field are conspicuous ob- iects. The old mansion, with ample porch, = ——— > THE CEDARS, ANACOSTIA ‘ominent in public affairs in past generations. ther of George, was s dis general officer in the revolutionary fiddle of his, upon the old used to rattle off the popular airs of Ninian Beall, the for some twenty years a contributor to the weekly, monthly and quarterly publications, both ecclesiastical and secular of th grantee of @ large tract of land wost of Rock ereck and the founder of prietor of the site of Bennit of each was named Ge: ‘The name Beall was roy. but, for some reason or other, syllable ‘was dropped by the members of the family (the two brothers) who settled in this Continuing along the road Ora soon crossed. Deanwood station more and Potomac railroad is on the righ’ race course of the Benning Jockey Club being of the Now York active, useful one. of the old house one and was at one time coeditor Press. His life is a ve Standi: cannot but commend the wisdom and taste of Capt. Benning in selecting this site for his resi- dence, for a more charming landscape than the one presented to the view is notoften witnessed. You are 170 feet above the mean level of the of Watt's branch—an ttle stream bavi half a dozen miles to the eastward, is Proposed Southern Maryland railroad runsalong this valley, the graded road- et In front are & series of 1g, tree-clad hills, interspersed with Breen meadow dales. Of acieur day far-reach- ing views, extending from thirty to forty miles, are presented from this point. An encampment of Indians in early times has given the name of “Indian Spring” toa fine running spring on the premises. Several prosperous villages surround the place--Burrville on the east, Lincolnville on the south and Dean of the inal pro- ing. ‘Tho Sldestaca veclginaliy written Beall- Anacostia. The valle} attractive and lively your feet. ‘The wood on the west. art of the last named subdivision. pning was a man of great energy and was a vatural leader of men. His great force of sharacter is indelibly this community. tradition v# havin, impressed on aed boy losal led the life of a desperate pirate, seccnd only in daring 9xploit to the Rotorious Capt. Kidd. His weal nt guine—is also of febulous repute, and it is believed by many in the community that his vast treasures sre hidden somewhere in the earth. The cruth is, th matter-of-fact Englisbm: and shrewdness, accumulated ‘a respectable perhaps, for his time. paying off his workmen he always gave coin, which practice may have given currency tothe storiestold about his great wealth of treasure. He was o large Iand owner, the time of his purchase $5 an acre was re garded asa big price for land in this ‘The captain was public spirited. He ni only built a toll bridge across ‘the Anacostia, which proved a protitable investment, but he loping industries He opened the public roads, to which he give a uniform width of thirty-three feet. He died in 1835 and hiv remains now re- pose in Congressional cemetery. His several children survived descendants now live westward with “the course of empire.” THE TOWN OF DEANWooD. Recovering from this digression, the excur- sion is resumed along Sheriff road through Deanwood. The reforra school on the emi- nence across the Anacostia is conspicuous. The road is flanked on either side by lines of shapely cedars, Desareced, © subdivision of Benning, is a growing place of some twenty-five families. Its W. Deane, a public-spirited THE OLD BEALL MOUSE. Not far from here Anacostia road is entered, which runs northward to Bladensburg and southward to Anacostia. It runs close to and | parallel with the Anacostia river. under Gen. Ross, that fought aud won ttle of Bladensburg, marched over this road to the battlefield. The road has recently been rechristened Minnesota avenue and Congress has priated money for its improvement. It i osed to widen it to ninety feet, nearly imes its present width. Advancing, youare soon on the wooden bridge that spans Watt's branch, near which th mouth of Sheriff road is It is hidden from view, fence in front of the switchm: A little east of this point, turning around to t @ good view of the eastern on which Fort Mahon stood, some of the old earthworks being visible. Piney creek is soon crossed, and as you move along the Reform School on the hill left and west of the Anacostia continues in . who, by economy fortane—s sarge-c: it was also instrume d on the right. wer. by @ high him, but none of bis ere. "They all drifted Amile north of Benning you pass on th right Seat Pleasant road, which runs in a southeasterly direction to’ Seat Pleasant, three miles distant. About midway between the Seat | Pleasant road and Piney creek youcrous the District line into Maryland. Beaver Dam brancl wooden bridge, is soon crossed. The strip of country through which you now is rich bottom land and supplies the Wash- ‘ton market with @ good share of the vegeta- bles that it consumes. In spring-time the vege- tation is luxuriant, many beautiful members of ly being found living in it style in pleasant nooks and corners. iews of the Anacostia and the hills to the ¢ many points along THE OLD BLADENSBURG BURYIXG GROUND. Approaching to within an Bladensburg you pass on the right the old town’s burying ground, which stands on a hill by the roadside. The graves are not plainly visible from the road, but the place will be recognized by a dilapidated incloved the grounds. Curiosity invites one in- side, and an interesting but sad_picture is pre- sented. -a picture at once exhi forgetfulness and nature's kind thonght- fulness. It would be hard to & more desolate spot pears to have been long since abandoned, and the graves and their inclosures are in the last stages of decay. But though forgotten by the oid neglected graves are greatly favored by nature. In a stroll throngh the grounds during the earl; last spring it was noticed that the ily decked with » founder was Dr. J. W. De gentleman, who still resides here. ‘The works of the American Energizer Mo- mentum Eugine Company aro passed on the spanned by @ modest the wild-flower famil; westward are obtained at hth of a mile of nce, which once xbibiting human Ss THE OLD BENNING MOUSE, left as the railroad is neared. The engine used in the Glen Echo power house was made here. These works were established about three years ago and are now domg a good business. streets ure extended Sheriff nd the erection across the Anacostia ow seriously talked of. railroad, turn to the left on Ana- Deanwood station, at the junction of Ana- costia and Race Course roads, is soon reached. This used to be called Benning station, but about a year ago a ney station called Benning was erected down at Benning road crossing. ‘Lhie was done to accommodate the Union Stock Company, who have extensiv ty relatives and frie road will be known as K street, of @ bridge at an early di rofusion of violets, Wild strawberry blossoms, liverleafs, forget-me- y of the graves are very stones dating back to nots, myrtle, &c. old, some of the tombs: 1700, the inscriptions in many obliterated by time. North of the old cemetery you cross Juni- stream at the eastern edge of Bladensburg, aud are soon on East Bladens- road. The high ground to the left as the 4s entered is Lowndes’ hill, behind the eastern slope of which the British Gen. Ross formed his line of battle on the morning of reparatory to moving on the TK. ring tc the right toward Landover, station, Stevens byroad is on the right about an eighth of a mile west of d runs in a winding way riboro’ road, being over 8 wild woods per brook, « small You are now in Benning proper, and as you advance slong the road “many pleasant sights All Saints’ Chapel, an Episcopal house of worship, in soon passed on the right. The structure is a nest wooden one. rector, the Rev. Dr. R. W Lowrie being his ‘Thia chape’ contains a chancel windew to the memory of the Ite Abram Feree Shriver, long ccnnected with Riggs & Co.'s bank in Waebinj 4 substantial brick pnblic scheol house stands south of the chapel You are presently én the center of the old town which is $3 miles from the Capi- Standing rt the crossing of Kenning and Avaccstia roads, s business scene of consider- able activity is witnessed On three of the four corners sre thriv: fourth is occupied by tbe The post office, whic is cpposite the Talon. suck SHERIDAN HEIGHTS. In war time old Fort Mahan occupied the high hill in the northeast angle formed by the crossing of the roads. It is now occupied by the residence of » Mré. Manni known as “Sheridan Heights,” a syn ently purchased the wood that the southward to the mile in The Baltimore and Potomac railroad and Beaver Dam branch are crowed. In the bot- sh which the stream runs the iiticult of passage for a vehicle ate point near the railroad crossing this exception the road is weather. Acouple of road is bad and fairly good in dry Gates are encountere:i, he on Benning street. —— are Tocated in the rear of property. It is ‘purchalere are ‘Detroit after th e late claims Sheri- ‘a fighting cavalry trout, ny objects of interest are found on tho Anacostia road south of the crossing, but a visit to them must be deferred t6 a future ex- eursion, this article ‘The name of the place was Benning’s, but for years pas cially Known as Benning. The city may now be bs ‘eat road. A stago pf RE AE constan twee! town and the city. fare ‘each 6 x Guonax Brovoxs. named P. H. Sheridan. Michi having exceeded the ROAD. Ristory. Itis the cldest house in Benning, dering been built more than 100 years ago: bat we have to penetrate even farther into the maisty past for facts about this ancient home- Mr. Sheriff has in his possession mai interesting and valuable old documents, which throw a great deal of light upon the history of early real estate transactions in this section. Among them is a grant from Charles I of England of & large tract of land to one Charles Beall, s Scotchman by birth The tract, which se thousand acres, the Eatuxent river to Rock creek. ‘Fife Eniarge,” but was afterward called “Beal's Adventure.” About the year 1791 Mz. Beall selected this spot for his residence, and built thereon a comfortable mansion. It was built of red cedar and stood a Little orth of the present building The old foundation can still be seen. The graveyard, im which. the members of the family for cenera- tions back have been buried, is also back of the house, sr! the old kitchen, in a well-preserved State, .s yet standing east of the mansion. The nt estate, which comprises some 300 acres, | pe) ‘uninterruptedly in the possession of the family ever since the origiual grant. The iE rietor, Mr. George b. Sheriff, holds “ills, thecugh’ his wife, who is a grand- ‘lang ater of Geo. Beall, eldest son of the original Grantee. THE BEALL Party. x, Members of the Beall family have been way is 10 conts. te Written for The Evening Star. but this is of little incon: cross country r surroundings are ‘to the lover of LANDOVER Arriving at Landover cross the railroad and take Wilson road, an eighth of a mile distant, to the right, but before doing so you may halt for a moment in the village Upon investigation you find that it boasts of a church, a store, @ post dozen residences, and has, withal, a new and move along Wilson road by throagh woods of pine, oak, for more than « to the Marlboro’ road, which follow ‘Tonight of all the nights throughout the year Portends for thee thy futare weal oF woe; ‘Tonight the oracies of fate draw near Ka esemeovnstepe grin ine One feeting giimpse of that which is to be— iimpse behind tomorrow's mystic vell,— If we but read aright the signs we see And heed with care the witches” mirrored tale. ‘Then watch fall well the embers’ glowing ‘List ‘mid the churchyard’s fioom for some fond ame, ‘Note well the face thst greets thee in the giass And shrink not from the candle’s magic fame; And mayst thou read oF Rest or see or Know ‘Nougnt but some future weal and nought of woe. —OuirvoRD Howanp. ‘Washington, October, ‘v1. thrifty appearance, Continuing, you ® tortuous course hickory, poplar and "anid the wife of the sick man, the EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON, D.C. SATURDAY. @CTOB: ‘Marked by a large cak THE GRAND FALLS OF LABRADOR. ‘Their First Exploration Effected by o Wash- ington Scientist. THE STORY OF THE TRIP AND THE GRANDEUR OF ‘THE NIAGARA OF CAXADA—SURGING BILLOWS OF FOAM 45D WaPOR NAVE 4 DESCENT OF 500 YEET—A CONTRIBUTION TO GEOGRAPHICAL ecrexce. PO? HE Last Ferry YEARS THE RE- port has existed that far up the Grand river in Labrador a fall bad been found whove size far surpassed that of Niagara, if not that of | §' any waterfall in the worldknown to men. This report was obscure, but not less so than the knowledge possessed by the generality of men concerning the Grand river itself. On the best maps Labrador was little more than a name within an irregular shore line, and one sought in vain for any river baving a known course and direction. Such s rumor, however, baseless as it very likely would prove to be, was enough to grouse the curiosity and challenge the enterprise of men interested in the progress of geographical knowledge, and last February Mr. H. G. Bryant of Phil- m- mer in ascertaining if possible whatsort of ariver the so-called Grand river might be and whether adelphia conceived the plan of spending a the falls of Niagara and other known cataracts of renown must take an inferior rank amon {he wonders of the world, He associated wi self, 1@ capacity of rand gen- eral scientific assistant, Mr. CoA’ Konaston of this city, who some years ago was engaged for f considerable period in the exploration of the Canadian nor! ‘THE START MADE IN JUNE. Procuring letters of introduction from prom- inent officials, both in the United States and the Dominion of Canada, to the representatives of the Hudson Bay Company in Labrador, and obtaining a canoo and suitable instrument, with the indorsement of the geological survey bureau of the government. on June 23 last they set sail from New York for St. Johns, New- foundland. . Thence they made their way in a coasting steamer, after vexatious delay, to Rigo- lot, Hamiiton Iniet, on the coast of Labrador. This point is about fifty miles from the sea- coast, in latitude 54 deg., 30 min. It iy the site of the principal trading post of the Hudson Bay Company in the country. lero ol &@ smull schooner of some half dozen tons burden and the services of two men to navigate her, they made their way in- land, up the inlet ina southwesterly direction, through the broad extension called Melville lake to Northwest _riv subsidiary trading post, distant from the mouth of Grand river about twenty milesand from Rigolet about 100. Contrary te their expectation and dosire they found it impossible to secure Indian guidesand boatmen, and after a few days determined to maki jempt to ascend the river, with the help of a Scotchman, John Montague by name, a resident of the region, employed for twenty years in hunting, trapping and fishing, and a young Esquimaux whom they had fallen in with on their way north. A CLINKER-BUILT ROAT. They borrowed a boat at the post, preferring, since no Indian boatman could be obtained clinker-built boat, such a white men are mot familiar with and such as would be steadier in rough water than the birch bark canoe which is the native means of transportation. ‘This and the Rushton canoe brought from New York (towed astern of the boat) furnished convey- ance for the men and their outfit of camp equipage, instruments and provisions. Some- times sailing, the Loat being equipped with two masts and carrying a foresail and a mainsail, sometimes rowing, more often “track- ing” up the rapid river, they advanced slowly toward the interior. ‘Ihe river is more than a mile in breadth at its mouth, where it enters Goose bay, the upper end of Melville lake, and soon it widens to much more, in places meas uring not less then two wiles. ‘These lower reaches abound in sandbars of great extent and the chaunels ure constantly changing. ‘Ihe shores are not high, are wholly of sand, and are covered with a thick growth of small firs, interspersed with a little bireb. Only in these lower portions are any indications to be seen of a flood plain, A FISE DOUBLE FALL. At a distance of about twenty-five miles from the mouth of the river the stream pours over a ledge of rocks, forming a tine waterfall some thirty feet high, below which is a second fall of equal proportions. ‘This double fall is, of course, impassable, and a portage had te be tuade. ' With a block and tackie the heavy boat, emptied of its contents, was hauled up the steep axcent about 220 feet to the top, wueuce it was dragged abvut two-thirds of a mile throug the forest to be lowered aguin to the river above the falls, while the cance and the reat of the outit in packages were conveyed crows on the shoulders of the men. ‘This cata- ract, known ag the Muskrat anywhere else’ would be considered a beautiful and im- pressive object, and it is well worth going far to tee, but the expectation of greater glories fur- ther in the interior, if the veice of rumor should prove true, urged lerness, in a constant straggle with an almost impascable river. SIX SEPARATE SYSTEMS OF RAPIDS. No less than six separate systems of flerce rapids of great height had to be encountered and overcome before the head of canoe naviga- tion was reached. ‘The labor was very great and the exposure and peril were constant. bat fortunately no disaster or accident occurred. At the foot of a rapid, up which the boats could not be dragged by the tracking line and around which they could not be carried, the party made a permanent camp, and, leaving the Esquimaux in charge. they ‘took the canoe and ascanty supply of provisions, blankets and instramente and made a portage over what is known among the Hud nay Compa y trappers nd voyagers as the “Big Hill,” « 800 fect figs aa tener tina ts sual ote house, the Jong disused trail obstructed by fallen troos and loose boulders, which rendered the footing insecure and dangerous in the extreme. Thence, through forests and over barrer. tracts where the only vegetation is the inevit- able moss on which the caribou door feeds, traversing no less than hiif @ dozen lakes and making the intervening portages, the party of three made their woy eventually to the Great Fuils, of whove reality they had become as- sui few days previous by secing from the top o a ligh mountaix the vapor of the falling water rising against the western sky at the dis- tanse of some thirty or thirty-five miles. A MAGNIFICENT scEXE. Having given no credence to the exaggerated statements of the Indians relative to its won- derful height and volume, they yet wore as- tonished at the magnificence and grandeur of what they found In the midst of the untracked solitudes, practically unseen of human eye, the great river comes down from the far interior ina broad and rapid stroam, which, sweeping around in ® great curve, is contracted by the walls of archean rock tween which it flows throughout its en- tire course, and rushes over @ series of pices, four in number, with great rapids above and between, contracting more and more as it Proceeds, until it rushes through « chute not more than fifty or sixty yards broad with such awful force and speed that the water iscrowded up in the middle of the stream far above ite and with leapings and mad ruchings and spurte bigh into ho er, re, ning. SURGING BILLOWS OF WHITE FoaM AXD VAPOR. tator the solid rock trembies and vibrates. é iu re] ® tract of coun! found fnsteoy- <3 abode of an west and was qualified for » Journey of discovery in northern regions of diftioult access. seemed like to like de ship, stayed i brought t cat had only kept away. One of the dogs was #brindle bull and the other was s beagle hound. Dr. Worrell of Baton Rouge; chambermaid and daughter of Mra. Adams of Cmaba; the barber, second cook and pantryman, five cabin boys and two white levee laborers. clothes and bare feet. ‘There were quite a number of narrow escapes. Capt. Thorwegian was the Inst to leave the boat, having to slide down a guy rod from the upper deck. Pilot Massie made his escape by passing through the He Doesn't Like the Way the Government the government buildings. Twenty-one piles for the foundation of the dome have been driven. ‘They were, according to Mr. Edbrooke, neither large enough nor driven properly, and he ordered all of thom pulled out. The contractor was at the same time shown the necessity for complying abso- lutely with man mga) in government work. About 288 pi driven to the foundations for the dome, and the contractor ite weter, with glimpoce of green aed Slece wi weter, 6! pees an shining through, tees’ down & slope of about thirty degrees to the final plunge into the canyon 900 feet below, with a roar that is deaf- From the rocky abyss, with its perpendicular walls of almost unfissured crystalline rock, black and gloomy, rise great surging billows of white foam and vapor, on whose rounded sum- mite the light of the sun plays in inconceivable splendor, and in suitable conditions of the atmosphere the wraithiike forms rise into the sky and sre visible for half a hundred miles, ile underneath the foot of the startled —" 4 rren 253 ti desolation, they embarked on the swift sringia eprom Says Wisk oomn, bet wat weleoes a Ganger, the whole distance which hed required four weeke in the ascent. The hb f the ri made, while the tanoora wed brought into ffequeat Paquin, ———— THE DESPATCH’S HOODOO. ‘When the Despatch was wrecked mention was made to the supposed connection with the dis aster of a black cat that had enterod and left the ship in a mysterious manner. It is not pected that the court of inquiry will trouble iteolf about Boing into what might be termed a collateral issue of this sort, but the superstition of the sailor crops out occasionally in the con- versations around the court room and forms an interesting background to the tedium of talk about lights and shoals and night orders and bearings. The hero or rather the semi- villain of the cat yarn is in attendance upon the court. The cat itself is the villain of the tale, and so Milton Brown, a jet-black, stocky descendant of Ham, clad in the voluminous blue of sailordom, is forced into the role - tells story of black ent, about thus: "bode befo’ we lef’ de yard at New He was a black cat, black Secighrs orf red an’ he tried to make fr’ bay, when, jus’ befu’ we got to de Eas’ River bridge, I heard & scurryin’ and a scratching an’ I seen Nigger 6 come f= i dowa the fo'castle deck |i ho was mad. an’ that-er way, an’ at las’ run and befo’ I could ‘vent him he'd run straight twix my laigs and had jumped up onto de rail and then, kerplunk, overbode. I turned round to some one and said, I did, dat dey would be trouble on bode, sure, fo’ no black cat ever jumped overbode from or ship without causin’ trouble. An, sho’ enough, wien ship went asho’ Nigger was to blame.” He cut roun’ and roun’ this-er wa; @ give er cut an’ “What beeame of Swipes?” asked the re- porter. “She belonged to me,” spoke up Thomas Me- Donough, paymaster's yeoman, “and I saved her from the ship along with two dogs. I took her home to Richt the whole house. A friend of mine has pre- sented her with « bandsome collar and on the plate is engraved: mond with me and she owns SWIPES. U.S. 8. Despatch, Thomas McDonough, October 10, 1891. “Swipes is a good cat, and she would have ship through all right if the black THER MILLIKEN’S BEND DISASTER, Many Narrow Escapos From the Steamer— Twenty Lives Lost. Conservatives state twenty were lost at the sinking of the steamer Oliver Bierne near Vicksburg Thursday. The following are known to have been among those who perishod: Mra. Waddell, an elderly lady of New Onleans; Sam wo daughters of The passengers und crew lost everything they had in the way of clothing und baggage, y leaving the burning boat in their night mes to the stern of the boat and jumping into the river. He was severely burne The mate displayed ins bravery by letting mself down by & rope, holding @ littie child by the clothing. ‘The bodies of the pantryman and baker, chambermaid and hor daughter have been recovered. ‘The crew and passengers all left for Vicks- burg per steumer Sheflicld that evening with | the exception of Mrs. Frazier and child, Mra. Dr. Worrel! and E. M. Howell, whose injuries are too severe to permit their i cling. ‘The boat had landed at Rose Hill and Milli- ken's Landing to take 200 bales of cotton for A Coltharp & Co. of Miiliken’s Bend and after landing iouded this cotton, dropped down a couple of hundred yards and tied up for the night. The fire broke out after nearly every one had retired for the night and spread with such Tupidity that the engineer was unable to turn oa the hose. ‘ue Ashley company bad about 500 bales of cotton on the landiug only a short distance above, which narrowly escaped burn- ing from falling cinders, TAKING CARE OF KOYALTY. The Imperial Family of Russia Leave Den- mark for Warsaw. The czar, the czarina and other members of the Russian imperial family, the King | ©, and Queen of Denmark and the Princess of Wales, accompanied by her danghters, the Princesses Victoria and Maud, left Den- mark on Thursday on board the Russian im- perial yacht for Dantzie, whence the imperial and royal party are expected to proceed in the Russian imperial train to Livadia, travelit ad way of Warsaw. Jt isoxpected that the King and Queen of Denmark will stay at Livadia for some time, to be present at the cele- bration of’ the silver wedding of the Ggat, and of thelr daughter, Most careful preparations bay bee revent the ility of accident to the trait ‘housands of troops will be stationed along the line, and the usual ers followed as to pection of the trac! — ese MR. EDBKOOKE DISSATISFIED Building at Chicago ts Being Constracted. Architect’ W. J. Edbrooke of the Troasury Department, who arrived in Chicago Wednes- day to look after the construction of the gor- ernment building, accompanied by Superin| ent of Construction, M. E. Bell, visited the grounds of the world’s fair and found fault with what has been thus far accomplished on los must be was told that each one of them hereafter must bed . Edi be officialls roved by M. E. Bell. alr. Edbrooke driving piles and laying foundations. He at once informed the contractor that his force found twenty mon at work was not half large enough und that he would have to increase it. the todo, and he was at the same time that his work must be completed by the middie of July next. - Mr. Edbrooke decided that the grade of the should be raised one foot to coincide with the established grade of the remaining world’s fair buildings, and the work will be done at the expense of the government. BRITISH GOLD BACKING CHILE, Efforts to Induey Lord Salisbury to Support the Junta, ‘The English ‘merchants in the Chilean trade are moving every influence at their command to bring about British inter- ference in behalf of Chile in yt soe mis- understanding between Chile and United Btates. There ig no likelihood, however, that consent to hay do with the adale as tong "as Beican eee _—— +0. ee GShp-Wasn't English, Poor Dear. ‘Yeu dou'tfollow the hounds much in this country, do’ you;Miss Hawkins!" asked Lord Noodleby. © are Fat ‘81, 1891—SIXTEEN PAGES. ee THE WEEK IN NEW YorRK. REAL ESTATE GossIP. ‘Men and Matters Talked About im the Big ‘The Progress Made in the Triennial Assess- Mow Many People Manage to Gets Living ‘ment of Property. ‘THE ASSESSORS MAVE COMPLETED ADOUT MAL? THEIR WORK WITHIN TEE OLD Lierrs oF THE | CITT—A PROPOSED STREET CAR LISR TO THE SOOLOGICAL PARK—OTHER MATTERS. ROPERTY OWNERS ARE MUCH INTER- ested in the results of the work now being Gone by the assistant assessors. It is not pos sible to know very much of what they are doing except that each day finds them at work “viewing property.” Ever since the middle of last July the assessors have been in the field. ‘They began with square No. 1, and proceeding east, they have completed their work about to | the point where 9d street west extends from the boundary to the tiver front In other 200 squares lying within the old municipal lines of Washington the as- sessors have completed their view of each piece of property in some 633 squares. Titey bave finished the business section of the city and are pushing on After they have completed their inspection of the property within the old limits of Washington they will exami decide upon the values of the property com- rised within the 400 squares in Goorgetown. ‘hen comes what may, perhaps, be regarded as the greater task of viewing the property in the ; The board of assessors, as Proriied for in the bil d by the Congress, is limited in number to ahreo members ‘The View the property order to facilitate the & wagon which carries them about from point to point. Althongh they bave nearly » full year in which to complete the assessnient, yet they are somewhat doubtful as to their ability to accomplish the task in that time. As «tated in Thursday's Stan the question as to the ‘oper interpretation of the time clause in the fed to the attorney for the Dis- trict and that official has decided that the as- sessment must be complete by the first Mon- day in June next. The assessors were of the opinion that they could extend the work of as- sessment through the next calendar year How- ever, they have made all arrangements to © on with as much rapidity as possible. order that the winter weather may not interfere with their daily trips a covered Wagon is being made especially They expect to be kept busy all the winter and After the first Monday in June eof property ye ‘TER CHILEAN WAR SENSATION—TWO oF TILDEN's ‘MILLIONS YOR THE PUBLIO—ST. LUKE's mos- PITAL MAY BE MOVED TO THE SUBURRO—TER ‘RUD OF 4 MEMORABLE CAMPAIGN. Correspondence of The Evening Star, Naw Yonx, October 99, 1891. GAIN WE ARE MADE NERVOUS BY assert itself in South American waters more | fri emphatically than we have been accustomed to do. This isthe fecling in naval circles and the officers are putting themrelves in fighting order. It wasrather an impressive sight to see the Boston dropdown last Saturday from the navy yard te tho lower [low saint wail asif ready to perish, not very large or powerful, represents modern idens and would be a very uncomfort- nist in case of hostilities. She goes in full preparation for war and she will be fol- lowed by two or three other of our new ves- sels, armed and equipped for bloody work if Moreover, that old standby, the omah, a clumsy craft, but at all the most powerful ship we have afiont, is bein at in readiness, and while no one woul anker after the job of sailing in her “around she would probably turn up on the in due time, and if she did it would robably, however, this it for harbor defense an for cruising) would be kept in New on the reception committee in case ho | Chileans garried ont of sending a flect uw bard the ‘city and lay under contribution. We with these threats, and somehow they do not seem to agitate the New York heart as much as Perhaps they should. In spite of these warlike Preparations, however, there isa universal di gust over the fact that any unpleasantness iste, and a real war with Chile or any other Power would be very unpopular eal speculation such a war at this time would probably be unfortunate. The firm but calm instructions seat by our State Department to Minister Egan met with the approval of every sensible man here and it is taken as striking the proper keynote in all further negotiations. TWo 3ULLIONS ANYHOW. New York gasped and then caught a quick breath of relief when it found that the Tilden will was broken but that it was still to have « $2,000,000 plum in the shay cally a gift from one of the heirs in the Tilden Litigation is not yet entirely concluded, #o the lawyers want to reargue the case ppeals, but there is a min- $2,000,000 with slight ousibility of an increase in the fund. That . the question of organization and lo- tical one. For many ears now the magnificent residence which filden built in Gramercy Park bas been de- serted, the residence merely of whose hands take hold of kings’ p: it stands, » monument of thwarted benevolence oF pridc, as you may hap) will be utilize though whether toward the east. | circulation in the pros, is brought at once | crowd. If his house or garden or equipage | described in a way to indicate that be isa man jail the hungry throng have bed their trial | his “iberality: Every young lady who hes company and in| had any ambition to mean business. More their boasts this way to bom- the whole country are somewhatfamiliar the assessment of every the limits of the District During the months of June and July roperty owners will have an op) t the new assessment, and they can tell the assessors what they think of ‘the work with reference to their own particular property. ‘THE TAXPAYERS BAVE A Sat. They can inform the assessors, if they are dissatisfied .what, in their opinion, the proper valuation is, and if their arguments are con- Vincing the assessment can be changed. On gust the assessment is supposed ted, and when the collector of taxes makes out his bills in November of next year they will be based on the assessment now It is understood that in making the assessment, while adhering to the rule lopted at the beginning. to give to y WA value as it is supposed it will bring at a ed sale nnder unfavorable circumstances, before the court of a) imum established of cation becomes a pri the first of Auj to be comple pen to prefer to call cied that this superb structure he purposes of the library, that institution will take the form of one large, concentrated collection, > into a sysiem of local libraries with « station remains to be settled. In any ilden Mansion” will now be opened to some sort of human use before it has nc- tually become haunted through abandonment The singular fact that the de- cision of the court exposes the inability of = er like Tilden to make a will that would be binding has often been referred to, and it may be added that the result defeats the efforts of the acknowledged head of the New York bar, Mr. James C. ‘Carter, who threw himself into the case with more than ordinary enthusiasm, and seemed to conduct it con amore as well ab for a stupendous fee. THE WEALTH OF A MosPITAL. inequalities that Previons assessments. It ts claimed that ex- Pensive property fs valued too low, while prop- erty of moderate value is assessed too high. The present assessment will undoubtediy sow in the aggregate over that ‘The increase in the last assessment as compared with the preced- ing one was 27 per cent. During the past three years the prosperity of the city b: tinued and it is reasonable to expect that the natural increase in values will be quite up to that shown by the lust assessment. It is, of course, a matter of speculation as to what will be the effect of the attempt to equalize the assessments and as to whether the increase will execed or will baiance tue reduction which such &u equalization will make necessary. A RAILHOAD To THE Z00. An improvement of considerable consequence tos large proportion of the public will shortly be begun. The Rock Creek Railroad Company has decided to commence the erection of a car house at the corner of 18th and U street. The company owns the entire equare bounded by j 17th, 18th, Tand U streets, having cq: | this property for the purpose of providing the operating the road, h, as is well known, is being built from Connecticut avenue and Boundary out 18th street, across Columbia road to Connecticut avenue that avenue to the miles into Maryland. bridge which is built over the south- ernend of the Zoological Park.and as this sort for the pubiic, and no direct means of communication with the city, the company has decided to begin as s00u a8 possible the operation of that portion of the road which connects the city with the park. Tbe road along ite entire iength will uot be open for travel until some time next power house, where the electricity is to be generated and which will be located northern terminus quite an sive The philosopher could dwell on the advance of the world in kindness by showing the won- derful growth in wealth and power of hospitals. There was a time, not very many thousand years ago, when a hospital represented & wretched priso: the crime of being sic tious diseargs, were packed away and vaults till they died. Far otaer modern hospital, which is not the House” of Milton or the pest house of even ion, but more nearly the .” where the sick are visited and cared for more tenderly than ma: nor Woman is at home. The w these institutions is illustreted by the fact that this week St. Luke's Hospital, which oceu- pies nearly a square faci graciously consented to sel its site for $2 000; .or, if the purchaser (which, in this caso is a fashionable club) wishes a corner lot com- rising 20,000 square feet it can have that iece of ground for ©1,000.000. of St. Luke's Hospital on 5th avenue been felt rather out of harmony with the resi- dence character of the street and the directors have been intending for years to move. Prob- ably the time is now ripe for the change, and it is easy to sce that with the funds derived from the sale of their land the hospital can obtain » noble property in the suburbs. There is some on the west side ut probably it will not stop sylum, which has locations in that part of the 0 further out of the bustle and worry of the city. LET WASHINGTON'S CHOIRS TRY THEIR LUCK. I learn from one of the membersof the musi- cal committee of the world’s fair, whois now ¥ the prospects are very bright for a memorable collec: it ieago in '93. ‘The | necessary facilities extended and thence along ‘on Sth avenue, bas District line and thence two talk of going w) cathedral site, ere,as_ the Bloomingdale itis proposed to bring tome of them on as soon as the car house at the corner of 18th and U streets 1s completed and run them by horse jer that section of the road between d the Zoological Park. will start at the head of Connecticut avenue and Boundary and also ren over the line which extends along U street from 18th to 14th president of the road, Mr. wageu, who in the absence 0 ading feature of will be ® competition among the choirs of the world. Some of the best organi zations of the sort have alrea intention to be present, and i many of the best choirs in our American cities will seek to uphold local and national credit. is to be awarded to the victor in the contest, and of course the reputation gained will be worth even a much ‘sum. So the crack choirs of Washington to go into training at once. THE CAMPAION. ‘We are approaching the last day of the cam- paign and excitement is at fever beat. The neral opinion is that the democrats will win, it the ‘majority every way will represent & Yery small ratio ina poll of registration has been nearly up to that of presidential years, showing an interest tional. ‘the contest has ly on local issues, so that ttle bearing on less than the re- for example, teward which state iticians are’ turned with an in- ich makes them com different to the vote of this state. Hexar BR Extioz. ere orcs A Learned Authority. ‘From the New York Weekly. Prof. Greatmind—“Yes, sir, this earth is 100,- 000,000 years old; not a day less.” Visitor—“Wonderful! Wonderful!” itering)—“‘Oh, papa, see my Visitor—“Y child, I presume, professor. How old is she? Edward J Stell . Newlands, is the acting given directions that the erecting of the build- the care are to bs stored shall be be- ‘ing is to be e permanent one bout $12,000. It will be used as electric equipment of the signified their president, has gun. ‘This builui and will cost ai a car house when the road is completed. IMPROVED STREET CAR SERVICE. It is expected that the completion of this road along its entire routeas well as the change in the motive power of the Washington and Georgetown road, together with the improve- mente in the facilities of the otherroads which either have been made or are to be made, will have a stimulating effect market. ‘Tho development of outl; tions of the city and the suburbs improvements are expected to be jous be brought closer to the center of the city and ly follow that property will ced in value, but that improve- the way of new houses will be madi Col. L. P. Wright, the chairman of the com- ill have charge of the important ing accommodations ie of visitors who are to come here next the encampment of that with a cable system Hill and Mount Pleasant will be of the city in poi: in those localit 1,000,000 voters. the real estate is quite exce almost entire the result will have very li it will natural); only be enhan Mittce that w: the Grand Arms, near the center ‘that halls and houses quite as available as quarters that are much Rearer the heart of the city. ‘The same is true Little Girl (ei =r, CALLING FOR HELP. by Appeniing for Ald From the New York Jourpai of Commerce. There are thousands of people in this coun- try crying out for belp. Some of them may be doing « Little for themselves, but a» fares wo have been able to judge they are simply wait- ing to be carried by some strong arm or willing hands from the deserts of want to the land of plenty. Afew may be “lying on their oars,” ‘worn out or weary with thestruggle against the tide, but most of them have no oars and ba never used any. They are ina rickety ernfi, afloat on the current, with no beart for a cov. with the billows, and are begging for some diy hand to save them from impending wreck and rnin. They utter their ory now in Vooiferous outburet of grie ject, but whether robust ae mays the same. Jtis the demand of th ech family, andthe burden of it is al- | ways “Give, give Fone whore name and address for apy reason find their way ato print, expecially af Mention is of a character to’ have direct communication with the besieg holding accumulated means, he ie considered fair game for those waiting to be helped. But if to the simple notice is added a hint thet hi ® gevcrous nature, or is noted for tal ot benevolence, ne has no peace educated at Vasar oF Wellesley, but hes lacked the means to Eratity it; scores of young men who would like to lead = life of “culture,” oF to study for the minustry; every church far or near that has mortgage on it, or whow managers desire to build a parsonage; indigent iarmers with umbrance ‘on their jone widows or spinsters whore lives could be so much brighteued if they had a donation sufficient to insure them against the dread of want; tramps and skuikers and dead beats and the tribe of those who want something for nothing, put in ther ples for assistance. It costs only 2 cents and asheet of paper to apply and who kuows bat luck ma: come of it? e e know a gentleman who never serv: pallboarer at « funeral or iit Present a9 a guest at a dinuer or any other ° * Scar satya irene whose mail is not loaded for days or * afterward with letters beseeching his assistance for some one in the extremity of want. Tbese rein addition to the daily or hourly calla which men in any public station receive from distress the one appealed to may not feel bound to grant the desired relief. It ise widow lady, Perhaps, whose rent is due and she will be dir- Possessed if the money is not forthcoming. Sle has no other hope, she says, and hers is a Piteous cry. It may be only «case of chronic BE and the suffering simulated, but it reads like the genuine outpouring of a’ break- ing heart. Ihe landlord who knows her will not trust her; the litelong friends she bas made will not aid_ her; but the stranger ought and must If there was only one such appeal the receiver might be mod to make ® favorable response, but. ht hands are full of them, while bis purse has already become lean in’ his efforts to relieve the needy nearer to his door. We ure told that men of large wealth are wearied and worried through ali the year by the clamor for alms or loans or other pecuniary help from every con- ceivable source. A gentleman who had held a liberal fortune in his bands for many years lost itall naday and remarked in our hearing that he had at least one compensation, Le should now escape the beggars! When we bad more jeisure and work was less Pressing we often took much pains to trace out the history of those who applied tous by mail from a residence within this or the neighboring city. Many of those who sought our aid were real sufferers, wrecked on -the voyage of life, and left beiplesaly stranded on the rocks or the desolate beach. ‘Lut by far the larger number Were solicitors who made a good living in this way. ‘They had # genius for writing at impres- sive letter, and they cultzvated it ior a livelitood. ‘Whey took down the name and address of all likely to be influenced by their appeals, and sent Out every day as many missives we they could indite without weariness. A man who wrote asone belonging to the ‘shutin society” and alwaysepoke of himself asa bed-ridden invalid writing on a tablet resting against his piliow had drawn contributions irom us for several years. One day « gentieman in our hearing re- ferred to him as patient sufferer, and tnci- deutally mentioned that be had paid the man's rent for along tume past. As we bad beon called on to contribute to a like object we be- came curious and sent ashrewd mesenger to the man's home. A young girl of a dozen years answered the bell and said ber father Was worse than usual and could not see any one or even move in his bed. The detec tive was not quite satistied and watched the house. Soon the girl came out of the basement door with @ pitcher; she recoguized the man, and in answer to bis question said she was going fora litue milk, as that with a little bread was all that she and “ber mother would have to eat. He let her go and secreted himself under the Steps, Shesoon came back with « pitcher of beer and he followed ber into the house before she could shut the door. ‘Theresat at the table ‘4 greas robust man with a smoking meal before him and a pile of letters at his side waiting to 60 un the mail. ‘A woman living in the city wrote to us often for aid. She was always appealing in behalf of ‘an invalid daughter for whom we sent « chair set on wheels, as she was suid to be unable to eecond- is i This be walk. We saw the chair in front of « hand farniture store one day and by an inscription we piaced on ited our suspicion aud we bad ber watched. A child came out one ‘with over thirty letters in his band asking for aid, ed- dressed to various people in and out of the city. She had a faculty tor making piteous aud inventing dist sing emergencies, made 4 good living out of it. But where the need is genuine this method of obtaining relief is Bot jegitimate, and it leads, of course, to chronic beggary. ‘The temper in each case | the same, Tuose who utter the ory assume that the world owes thems living and they havea right toe sharein the bounty of others. The socialist writers and speakers Lave encouraged this ides unui there are many who insist that all laid in store as the result of thriit is robbery, that no ove has aright to auything more then his daily bread, no matter how much of labor ud seli-denial he gives for the accumulated store. ——_——_~s-— A Twilight Song. ‘The thrush has piped his iaxt clear mete ‘To herald twiigut's hour, And fragrant breezes gent Around your silent bower. Now And, One Jeweled star sitiues Clear and brighti=e It fs the Star of Love! Yet cold and cheeriess seems its ray, Sweetheart! while you are far away. like a fairy inte, cadence fails: ‘Creeps up, with silver % Yet round pour bower I Linge stil, wi ing to © young man came in and presented « bill for 0, ‘Look here, young fellow, it seems that you People are in considerable of « hurry for money.” “I don't think so, sir. You bave owed it for * year.” thet I haiti let me poy ty of