Evening Star Newspaper, March 12, 1892, Page 12

12 THE OLD FIREMEN. A Sketch of the Ancient Volunteer Department in Georgetown. STAFFMEN AND BUCKETS. ‘The Way Fires Were Put Out at the Begin- ming of the Century—Kunning With the Ma- chine im Days of Hot Rivalry—Varlous O14 ‘Ordinances -The Change to the Present System. HE HISTORY OF THE fire department of Georgetown dates back to the earliest days of the town. The town was created in 1751 and cbristened February 27, 752. When, in 1789, the population ha grown to 1,500, the citi- zens, for mutual pro- tection called = meeting, whicb many incendiary remarks were made, and # cash collection and subscription were taken to defray the expense of purchasing a hand fire engine and fire bueketa. Every male inhabitant old enough to vote was member of Georgetown's first fire department. town was small and fires few and far be- Years rolled by and many who had taken pride in the formation of the fre depart ment had passed away, the engine became ne- lected, needed repairs and many of the buckets would not hold water. On October 4, 1503, a resolution was passed by the corporate authorities setting forth that the fire engine and fire buckets heretofore pur- chased by the subscription of sundry inhabi- ita had been offered to the corporation for the town, provided measures be taken the said engine and bucket re- directing the mayor to take charge of fire engine and fire buckets and to provide the expense of the corporation, without loss time, for putting the same in’ complete re- snd for repairing the engine house or Other convenient place for keeping them in 3 way as to be safe and ready at all times, to employ some diligent and careful per- son to take cure of the said engine and buckets, to have them conveyed to and from any fire that might happen, and to attend in e: ing said engine from time to time. The mayor ‘was authorized to allow to such person any rea- sonable sum per annum tocompensate him for his trouble, not exceeding $30. THE FIRE WARDS. Jaly 5, 1805, the town and its additions were divided into two wards, as follows: All that part east of 32d and north of K street shall con- i 4 & s REEY 1 fF 4 pany was to be organized, each of which was to elect its own officers and to act in conjunction with the staff officers appointed by the mayor. Every owner or proprietor of a house or houses was to preserve and keep in repair for each house as many fire buckets as there were stories in said house or houses, the buckets to be of leather, holding two and one-half gallons, to be nambered and entered with the clerk of the ¢orporation. The proprietor was required to Dave his usiue and the proper numbez painted Sa WESTERN STAM ENGINE HotER. on each bucket and to keep the buckets in some public place in the house and in good repair, ‘under penalty of #1 for each neglected bucket. ‘The mayor was directed to appoint annually four persons in each ward, to be called staff- men, whose duty was to preserve order at fires, toform the lanes, to direct the places from which water was to be brought, see that the buckets were regularly served and returned, to extend or contract the lanes and’ to order on duty every person not other- wise usefully employed. The staffmen were given fuil power and authority to seize and compel every person to labor and assist in ox afire. Upon refusal to so assist s citizen could be fined $5 for each offense. The constables of the corporation were re- quired to enter every house and examine the State of the fre buckets and to see that every house had its complement of buckets. The same ordinance directed the mayor to cause ‘the engine of the town to be placed in the east ward under proper cover, and appropriated 9% for repairing it June 17, 1506, £50 was Sppropriated for the purchase of fire hooks, axes and ladders, tobe kept in safety at or mear the engine house. * —«-PHE PUBLIC CHIMNEY sweep. September 8 1807, as @ precaution against fire, chimney sweep was appointed by the mayor to sweep all the chimneys in town of the used in cooking and for general pur- Roses of the family once in three months irom ‘pril to October, and once in two months from October to April) On refusal of the occupant tobave the chimuey swept the fine imposed was €5, aad sbould the chimney catch fire the ue was increased to $10. All flues of chim- Reys were required to be fourteen inches those days the town did not possess the Jaxury of water mains. fire plugs and hydrants, ‘as the water mains were not laid until 1859. The band engines in use were worked by Jevers with loag wooden handles, and when one set of men became exhausted a new took their places. The water with which the engine was supplied was conveyed from the ‘Rearest cistern or pump by the firemen form- ing two lanes and passing the buckets from one fo the other until the engine was reached and the other lane returning them. ‘These lanes | Were formed and presided over b; ‘men, who carried a trampet and » five fect long. This method of filling the em with water by band was abandoned when Suction engine made its appearance. To | the engine hose was attached and placed in the nearest cistern or weil. The engine and hose carriage were not drawn by horses, but by hand, and to the hand tongue was attached «| Tope about 100 feet in length, with which the | firemen and citizens dragged the apparatus to | the scene of fire. Mow THE FIRE DEPARTMENT Was nORROWED. As te all communities the town hal its share | ef borrowers and leuders. Many persons were fm the habit of borrowing the hooks ana Iad- ders of the fire department, and, like most bor- rowers, failed to return them. The number of Buckets and ladders decreased at each ‘anti finally the engine and hose were the only Femnants of the fire department left. 8, 1819, aa ordinance was passed imposing a pen- alty of $20, one-balf to the informer, upon any tly, borrowed a May 15 following four fire Companies were directed to be organized. It Was ordered that the fire company first to ar- Five ata fire should receive a reward of $5. For the purpose of procuring ladders, fire hooks, axes and crowbars to replace those bor- Fowed the sumo! ¢80 was appropriated and $120 to place the two engines and apparatus ‘then owned, or which might thereafter be ewned, under cover. The companies then in existence were the Potomac Fire Company, organized 1 id the Vigilant, 1817. Other re afterward organized, as weal Fire Company, 1819; «4 Howe Company,” 1827; 1su7; Western Star Fire were places under the charge of the mayor, to be put in complete repair and readiness for Use and kept under proper cover at con venient stations in the town. assigned to it such hose and other Raratus as was directed by the corporation. company first to srrive at a fire was to have the chief command of such fire. ‘A PREMIUM ON INCENDIARISN. ‘The winter of 1843-44 was noted for the many fires in different localities of the town and the demands upon the tressurer for the rewards to the companies first to arrive were so great that after investigation by the authorities a reward of 2100 was offered to an; who would give information that would lead to the detec- tion and conviction before a tribunal of any person or persons concerned in setting fire to any buildings within the limits of this cor- poration. April 6, 1344, the ordinance award- en ‘8 fire the sum of $5 was rey Mr. O. Z. Muncaster, fireman in active service from 1834 to 1849 and vice t of the Vigilant Fire Company in 1841, informed the writer that he joined the Western Star in 1834, which company did valuable service in aiding to extinguish the = — 19, 1836, Georgetown College narrowly destruction. Those were the times of ropes and free run to all fires west of the Cap- | itcland. the company had many a pitched battle with the Union Fire Company, they often arriving at firesin Washington before the Union. The pay was generally a cup of hot coffee and the thanks of the owner of the build- ing where the fire was located. EXCHANGING COURTESIES. The volunteer companies not only had their pitched battles at almost every fire they at- tended, but played jokes upon each other when ull and fires few and far between. Jant and Western Star companies built a hon- | 1819 4 fire on Brick Yard Hill and sent a messenger to THE VIGILANT. the Union company in the city to inform them that the business portion of the town was in danger of destraction. The Union in great haste soon arrived on the scene of the tire and were so disgusted that the language used was neither select nor complimentary. In return they received @ voliey of stones, their engines and lamps were broken and the crowd pursued them across the creek. The following day about forty arrests were made, the whites were fined and the slaves received lashes. The Po- tomae Hose, with muffled bells and silent tread, would sometimes steal near the Vigilant engine house when the ringing of bells and the ery of fire would alarm the Vigilant company, who would follow as soon as possible for sev- eral squares before they would discover the hoax played upon them. RELICS OF THE OLD DAYS. There are but few relics of the old volunteer companies in existence. A brass ship trumpet about two feet long, inscribed: “Presented by Capt. D.S. Hill to Western Star Fire Company, 1833," was presented by George Shoemaker, resident, to Potomac Hose in 1864. When otomac Hose went out of existence the tram- pet was presented to Col. Wm. O. Drew, fire marshal, who prizes it highly. Lonis P. Lowe, assistant chief of the fire de- artment, has in his possession an old leather ire bucket marked P. B. K., No, 1727, formerly the property of Philip Barton Key, who was killed by Daniel E. Sickles, February 27, 1859. The veteran volunteer firemen have at their house, presented by John D. Angell of No. 5 company, ahat of the old Vigilant company, the word “Vigilant” forming a semi-circle in large gilt letters, in the center of which is an eye. On the back of the hatisashield and eagle inscribed: “‘Instituted 1817, Georgetown, D.C. Never despair.” ‘They havealso a silver trumpet inscribed: “Presented by the Western Hose Company, No. 1, of Washington, D. C., to the Vigilant Fire Company of Georgetown D.C., October 9, 1 In a glass case of relics and souvenirs in No. 5 engine house is the candsl appendage of Bush, the old fire dog. Bush was of mixed breed, of dark brown color, a volunteer of Fire Company No. 1. He ran with the engine to all fires and parades, and was a general favorite with all who chanced to form his acquaintance. He became careless about his diet, ate free Junch between meals and was taken suddenly ill July 4, 1869. The doctors pronounced it a hopeless case of arsenical poison, and after se eral severe spasms he passed peacefully awa the sixth year of bis age. Liberal contribut aided in is decent burisl. Amarble slab about two feet square, inscribed “Bush, the old fire dog, died of poison July 5, 1869., R. 1. P.,” was placed in the front wall of the old Vigilant engine house between the large double doors, not only to perpetuate bis memory, but as a warning to ail of the fatal resulta of evil habite. ‘The days of hand engines and volunteer companies were soon to be numbered. The in- ventive genius of man improved onthe tedious and laborious methods of pumping the “old machine" andthe volunteer fre association were succeeded by the steam fire engine and salaried companies. The life of the volunteer fireman was not one of monotonous watching and waiting. They formed mutual protective asso- ciations, each member following his daily vo- cation. They gave their dances and picnics and when opportunity offered went on parade to inform the citizens they were yet in exist- ence with ready hands and willing hearts for the call of duty. ‘The-old hand engine was abandoned April 1, 1867, when a steam fire en- gine was purc! for the Vigilant Fire Com- pany, which from that date became a paid or- ganization and thus ended the volunteer com- panies of Georgetown. THE OLD COMPANIES. ‘The name and location of the first three fire companies the writer has been unable to dis- cover. The fourth company, the Potomac Fire Company, was organized in 1813 and con- sisted of president, vice president, clerk, one principal and two assistant engineers, thirteen engine men, eleven indder and hook men, two axmen, ten property men, six sentinels and five lane men. Each member signing the con- stitution was assessed fifty cents and twenty- five cents quarterly. The apparatus consisted of engine, hose reel, three ladders, two fire | hooks, one saw, two axes and one crowbar. Mechanical Fire Company was organized in and after six years of service disbanded in the mayor assuming charge of the engine, which was afterward assigned to the Columbian Fire and «Hose Company, which was organized March 17, 1827, and located in a frame building adjoining the alley south of the post office on 3ist street. The com- pany was disbanded in 1837 and March 26, 1538, the Columbia engine was sold and the proceeds equally divided between the other companies. Eagle Fire Company was o: Febru- ery 1, 1827, and was com} of president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, two axmen, two engineers, two property men ‘and twenty- four engine men. ‘The writtea constitution is signed by the following: John H. King, Henry Goszler, Thomas Holtzman, Wi. Magruder, James Goszler, Anthony Hyde, Charles Meyers, George Hyde, Thomas Hills, R. R. Shekels, Henry King, Wm. C. Walters, Zach M. Offutt, George Siilier, Henry Dudley, Henry Upper- man, Alexander M. Peltz, Rodney Davis, E. Lipscomb, John Gilliam and e company after afew years’ succeeded by the Wertern Star Fire Co., which was organized in the spring of 1831, electing George W. Haller pi nt and Geo. W. Shoemaker vice president. Having united their funds obtained by with an sppropriation of $1,000 donated by the corporation, it was decided by the company August 6, 1831, to purchase suction and pro- pelling engine and 1,000 feet of hose with the necessary reel and carriage, which purchase was consummated December 17 following. The company occupied a frame building on the west vide of 32d street between Prospect avenue and N street,now known as No. 1242. In 1839 the constitution and by-laws were printed and the following officers elected: Sh fe Jobn H. Bing, vice +; Edw. president: a UW Jer ( THE EVENING STAR: ladders and ladder , engine after twenty-six years of service suc- umbed to the hand of time ard December 19, 1867, was sold and the company disbanded. , were ret their former abiding place. The preface in the minutes of the company is as follows: “The Potomac Hose Company of Georgetown, D. C., was instituted August 14, 1864, and organ: with the following officers: Charles > Pretident; Andrew Blackman, vice president; ip , Secretary; James ves, treasurer, snd Samuel Swan, chict director, and at the time contained about Aifteon mem- ‘was reorganized January, 1865, by the election of John Loy as president and the re~ election of the remaining officers for one year, the provious election having been reconsidered at expit ion of the first five months of | al the company's existence by mutual agreement at the first election. The company was incor- porated by the action of the mayor and board of aldermen and common council in November, 1864, and the power of the officers confirmed and the company invested with the priv- ilege and powers of actual firemen under the tules and regulations for the government of the fire department of Georgetown, D. ©. The principal friends and advisers of ‘the company in its infancy were George Shoemaker al E Cruickshank, prominent citizens and aged firemen, and Thomas Edmonston, then a mem- ber of the common council and’ chairman of the fire committee, to which gentlem company owes its lasting gratitude. ‘The first meeting of importance was held September 25, 1866, when the matter of pur- chasing a bell, flagstaff and uniforms were con- side: After many meetings and discussions the purchase of a bell and flagstaff was aban- doned, and red shirts, leather belts and black hate were adopted as the uniform of the com- pany. January 31, 1965, a meeting was held to make arrangements for a grand parade on Washington's birthday, to which the Vigilant Fire Company wes invited. Committees were appointed to borrow torches, trumpets, flags and ornaments and hire a band of music, and the corporation petitioned to appropriate #150 to purchase the hose carriage of the Perse- verance Fire Company. The proceedings of the meeting were eo interesting that two mem- bers were fined 10 cents each for swearing, and a resolution that any member who mentioned the name of the Vigilant Fire Company should be fined 25 cents, and one who spoke disrespectfully of the pr of the company should be summarily dismissed. The company during its existenco was blessed with « long list of prominent citizens as honorary members, who contributed liberally toward its support. The company went out of existence April, 1, 1867. ‘THE OLD VIGILANT COMPANY. Vigilant Fire Company was organized in 1817, John Kurtz, president; Arnold Boone, vice president; James Moore, secretary, and James Corcoran, treasurer. The engine was purchased of John Agnue of Philadelphia, and christened the Vigilant. ‘The engine house was located on the east side of 32d street until De- cember 12, 1829, when $30 was appropriated to move the engine house to the west side of 32d street, where the old Vigilant house now stands, January 3, 1832, $1,000 was appropri- ated to aid in the purchase of a hydraulion en- gine and hose reeland for the erection of ahouse for the preservation of the sxme. A new house was not erected, an addition being made to the old one September 2, 1835, at a cost of $200. Fifty-two dollars was expended for the pur- chase of hooks, axes and ladders. The engine after ten years of service needed repairing. and 175 was appropriated for the purpose aud a new reel carriage and 1,000 feet of hose were purchased at an expense of 81,000. The company soon came to the conclusion that the old house was not suitable for the new ap- paratus and petitioned the corporate author- ities for a new building, in which effort they re successful. September 16, 1843, the yor was authorized to have the frame buil ing then cecupied by the Vigilant Fire Co: pany sold at public auction and the proceed of sale paid to the order of the president of the company, to be applied toward the erection of a new bouse upon the same site for th better accommodation of the apparatus of the company. The house was pur- chased by George W. Haller and moved across the street to the site formerly occupied by the Georgetown Advocate printing office, which was destroyed by fire. and converted into a dwell- ing, now known as No. 1079 32d street, owned and occupied by family of Z Gross. The engine was temporarily quartered in the drive way of Lang's Hotel, adjoining and east of the present No. § engine house on M street. ‘Tho driveway has since been inclosed and is now occupied as a barber shop. The new engine house was completed August 10, 1844, and occupied by the company—Hen: Kingas president and Otho Muncaster vice president. January 29, 1848, 8 resolution was Wn. H. Edes, Jos. Libbey ‘Muncaster and be a committee to form a new Vigilant fire engine, and when in their judgment a sufficient number of names are enri they are hereby authorized to organize and take charge of the said apparatus under the laws regulating the fire companies of the town. The company was reorganized in due season and the engine house received a meral overhauling. July 24, 1862, the ydraulion engine was disposed of and $1,200 appropriated to purchase a sponting and suc- tion engine and February 1%, 1860, $500 was appropriated to purchase a new hose, carriage and connections, ORGANIZING THE NEW DEPARTMENT. July 27, 1866, an ordinance was passed ap- pointing William T. Duvall, Francis Wheatley, Anthony Rodier and John Fowler fire commis- sioners to serve four years and reorganize the fire department, which should consist of one steam fire engine, engineer, hostler, foreman and six paid exira men and ten men’ without pay anda chief of the fire department. The steam fire engine arrived in March, 1867, and after several trials was accepted and named the Henry Addison. The Vigilant company was succeeded by the new compuny on April 1, 1867, and known as fire company No. 1. Monday afternoon, April 14, 1467, at the first alarm of fire citizens from all parts of the city collected to witness the working of the new steam engine. The fire was on Analostan Island and originated in the house originally built of stone in 1807 by Gen. John Mason of Virginia, When the new engine reached the river the fire commissioners fearing the ferry scow was not strong enough to convey the engine across abandoned the trip, much to the disgust of the citizens and firemen. They, however, did not wait long to see the new engine work. Early Sunday morning, April 20, 1867, fire was discovered in the Butchers’ Market and Lang’s stable near the engine house. The lows was about §1,500, and a reward of $500 was offered for the incendiary. In the spring of 1871, when the corporation of Georgetown was succeeded by the new form of government for the District of Columbia, the fire depart- ment was reorganized ard the Georgetown com- was then designaid as fire company No. Phin continued to occupy the Vigilant en- gine house until November 17, 1883, when they moved to their new quarters the old Town Hall The Town Hall, which for many years been occu} by the corporation, was pure ‘April 1, 1845, and in 1883 converted into an engine Bouse, which is one of the most complete in the District. It is of brick, three stories high, and containseight spacious rooms. The equip ment consigts of one Clapp & Jones engine, fourth class; one hose carriage, six horses, known as Nos. 17, 31, 32, 86, 91 and 103. The Sre marshal’s carriage is also stationed here. The company is composed of John D. Kurtz, yee John T. Yo assistant —— = . Angell, engineer; J. H. Dean, fireman; J. Mahorney, hostler; R. R. Allen, J. T. Reynolds, C. E. Harper, W. J. Mahorney and D. O’Con- nell, privates. FIRE ALARM BELLS. In the year 1824 the advisability of purchas- Sarat eeepc necessary tures “pce ah sro AE ths posehase af e touee bale See Be ae it to divine but also faithfully a i not by the sexton only, but by the one who was first to arrive in case of fire. In this, as in many other matters, too man oil the broth, and in January, 1845, like unto the old bell of lib- erty on Independence Hall, this bell was rung #0 mn t it cracked the corporation purc lant Fire Company, which continued to sound the alarm of fire, nut as the alarm is sounded present, but by » continuous ding-dong was er. the bell of the Vigi- the District. When alarm was established in rg the alarm was soundd from the bell of St, John’s Church, corner of O and Po- tomac streets. The nucleus of the purchase $375, for the purchase of this was sewing circle of young misses in bell was on exhibition at a fair held ton city by s firm of bell manufac- turers of Troy, N. Y., and rather than return it tothe foundry the price was reduced and it was purchased by the vestry of the church. About three years ago the alarm was trans- ferred to "Christ Church, corner of O and Sist street. This church was rebuilt in 867 e writer, then a student at Mr. < chool, well ‘remembers when the tall spiral steeple, mounted with a globe and a gilt Weather vane resembling a fish, was thrown to the street, exposing the bellto view. The frag- ments of the wooden weather vane were gath- ered up by the boys as mementoes of the glory of those long since departed. September 5, 1885, the corporation appropriated $100 to be item No. 5 ENGINE HOUSE. paid to the committee appointed to superin- tend the erection of a stecpie on the church to be applied toward the purchase of a bell to complete the clock then in the steeple. No- vember 28, 1835, the bell cast by T. H. Smith & Co. of Alexandria, Va., weighing 1,085 pounds, was hung in the steeple. In 1877 the bell cracked while ringing for divine service, ands new bell weighing 1,924 ponuds was purchased of Henry McShane & Co. of Baltimore, they receiving the old bell in part payment, The new ‘was first rung Sunday, October 27, 1877. THE TOWN CLOCK. As this old bell was formerly connected with the town clock, as a matter of interest to the rising generation, but not properly under the head of the/fire department, I will speak of it. October 13, 1836, the vestry of Christ Church petitioned ‘the corporate authorities to take charge of the clock to be placed in the steeple for the benefit of the citizens of the town, and the sum of $500 was appropriated to be paid to the vestry of Christ Church in. making such improvements necessary, provided they should enter into an obligation to permit the corpora- tion to remove said clock to the steeple of the town hall when they saw fit. The clock, as church clocks generally are, was neglected and stopped never to go again while in charge of the vestry of Christ Church, and on May 28, 1849, the mayor took charge of the clock and made arrangements for cleaning, mending and regulating the same to secure to, the citizens a faithful and well-regulated time- keeper. In August, 1858, the clock was moved to the steeple of the town hall, and in October, 1859, the mayor sold it and placed the pi 5, to the credit of the general fund. W. 8. Jacksox. _—— NEW PUBLICATIONS, THE STATESMAN'S YEAR BOOK: Statistical and Historical Annual of the States of the World for the year 1892. Edited by J. Scorr Keutie. 29th Annual Publication. “Revised after Oficial Returos. New York: Macmillan & Co. Washington: Wm. Ballantyne & Son. ht ot Charles Scribner's Sons. Washington: Brentano's. IT HAPPENED YESTERDAY. A Novel. By FReDERICK MARSHAL! thor of “Claire Bran- don,” etc. New York: D. Appleton & Co. ‘Washington: Robert Beall. THE OAK. A Popular Introduction to Forest- Botany. By ManSHALL Wand, M.A. Felts F.L.S. New York: D. Appleton & Co. Wash- ington: Robert Beall. PHOTOGRAPHIC MOSAICS: An Annual Record if Photographic Pro, Edited by EDWARD 1. Wiusox. asth year. New York: kaward L- ‘Wilson. CONGRESSMAN JOBN L. A History of his Trials ‘and Triumphs in Washington. By WELLINGTON Yate. Louisville: The St James Publishing House. MORAL TEACHINGS OF SCIENCE. By ARa- BELLA B. BUCKLEY (Mra. Fisher). New York: D. Appleton & Co. Washington: Robert Beall. THE LESSON OF THE MASTER, and Other Sto- Ties. By HENRY James. New York: Macmil- lan & Co. Washington: W. H. Lowdermilk & Co. THE RAILROAD FORGER AND THE DETEC- TIVES. By ALLAN PINKERTON. New York: G. W. Dillingham. Washington: Brentano's. NOT ON CALVARY. A Layman’s Plea for Medi ation in the Temptation in the Wilderness. ‘New York: Charles T. Dillingham & Co. ITHFUL MARGARET. A Novel. By Awwiz PARWOER New ‘York: GW.” Dilinguam. ‘Washington: Brentano's. HER MISTAKE. A Novel. New York: G. W. Dillingham. Washington: Brentano's. TALES FROM TOWN TOPICS. No. 8. New York: ‘Town Topics Publishing Co. AID FOR THE RUSSIANS, ‘The Steamer Missousi to Sail With 6,000,000 Pounds of Flour. At3 o'clock this afternoon, if the last portion of the cargo can be stowed away at that time, the steamship Missouri will weigh anchor and set sail from New York with over 6,000,000 pounds of fiour for the starving poor of Russia. The loading has been carried on with the greatest rapidity for the last four days, Fifty men have been employed on the work and they have accomplished wonders for the short of time. Four derricks bave been in ie constant use in raising the bags from the lighters and dropping them in the hold. ‘The Missouri will have » deck of cattle for London load ther and ceeeutien el men soem eat omelet = Judge Lynch Will 5 The Historic Virginia House of Fa- s mous Dolly Madison ‘ NEAR THE BLUE RIDGE. ‘The Hospitality Shown During the Life of ‘Mr. Madison—Where Misfortune Followed Fast—An Undutiful and Spendthrift Son— Dolly Madison's Funeral and Her Lonely Greve. ——___ ‘Written for The Evening Star. ITHIN SIGHT OF THE Blue Ridge, and nestled among ite spurs and lesser ranges, lies Mont- Pelier, the home and burial place of Madison. Of the several presiden- tial mansions of which Virginia boasts Mont- pelier is, beyond ques- } tion, the most impos- Me ing. Its frontage of ? ae 190 feet, ite lofty por- “A> tico, with frieze sup- ported by great white columns, its exten- sive grounds, its stretch of lawn, both back and front, its unique garden, its fertile fields, its entrancing outlook, unite to assert its claim to pre-eminence among the historic homes of the country. But its record, in many respects, is a sad one, and it has bad its ups and downs in the passage of years. DURING THE LIFE OF MB. MADISON the house and place were kept up as are the “homes of merrie England.” Servants in- numerable polished the floors, burnished the farniture, rubbed the brasses, piled high the blazing fires, mowed the lawn, weeded the turf and cultivated the garden, whicb, with its ar- bors, flowers, fruits, shrubs, vegetables and sweet-emelling herbs, was the delight of the eyes and palate of all who visited Montpelier. DISTINGUISHED OUFSTA, Here gathered beautiful women and distin- guished men. From Monticello would ride Mr. Jefferson, while the lesser lights of the day came from far and near in response to the gen- erous hospitality characteristic of Virginia life at that period to discuss the interests of the country and to pay homage to the lovely women invited to meet them by the charming hostess, the gracious Mistress Dolly, for with all her failings the fair Mrs. Madison could be Very gracious and very charming. When pre- siding over the long table in the stately dining room toasts were drunk to her charms, the sparkle of her wit supplomented the sparkle of the champagne, while the fascination of her manners cast « spell over all who came within her reach. Merry times those were at Mont- pelicr, according to the traditions of the neigh- orhood. But all this came to an end when death claimed the master of the house. AN UNDUTIFUL AND SPENDTHRIFT 6ON. Left to Mrs. Madison Montpelier soon be- trayed the neglect and abuse to which it was immediately subjected. Mother by a previons marriage of a worthless son. she sacrificed everything to him and his career was the most degraded, brutal and unscrupulous it is possi- ble to imagine. That there should be no visitors except such low companionsas pandered to his vices, itis said, he kept ferocious dogs which were trained to attack all persons who might venture upon the premi ‘To meet his gambling debts, multiplied indefinitely, now he was no longer controlled by the presence, influence or fear of his stepfather, to satisfy hie parasites, to gratify his own’ depraved tastes, to supply himself with drink, he sold the servants apparently taking especial pains to separate families, delighting m the misery 80 inflicted and gloating over the indignation of the protesting neighborhood. THE VALUABLE LIBRARY SCATTERED. ‘Mr. Madison’s choice library was also sacri- ficed and carted away for the purpose either of sale or destruction. It is impossible to decide which of these motives induced the sacrifice, for valuable books lay for years heaped upon the floors of a vacant honse, uncared for, un- Protected, in many instances exposed to the rain that came in through broken pane and ruined roof. Soon followed the mortgage of the place and finally its sale. Thus ousted from her stately home Mra, Madison established her- self in Washington and for a few years kept up acertain kind of style upon the money re- ceived for Montpelier. But her worthless son quickly dissipated that, and absolute poverty came very close to his indulgent mother, AID FROM coxoaEss. As a last resource the remnants of the scat- tered library were collected and an appeal made to Congress for help. That body, under the influence of sympathy for the widow and for the memory of Mr. Madison, ap- d $10,000 for the purchase of this wr 8 once splendid brary. ‘This drop in the bucket was promptly squandered, and again Congress was importuned for assistance and again came to the rescue by granting "Mrs. Madison # small pension, and the woman "who had been the wife of a President, the mistress of Montpelier, the owner of thousands of neres of;lancs and hundreds of servants was forced to'live upon the pittance granted by @ nation’s charity. in her poverty she attempted la grande dame and dressed in the faded grandeur of her prosperous days, her gowns in the fashion of the past and wearing an immense turban, held receptions in her shabby rooms, still making herself very charming to those who found their way thither. As the yenrs slipped by those who remembered her beeame fewer and fewer, until at length while yet alive she became a thing of the past. At last death came for her, too. BER LONELY FUNERAL. ‘The rain was pouring in torrents one dark autumn afternoon, the mountains which in fair weather are seen from the Montpelier rtico stretching seventy miles along the jorizon were not to be seen by the keenest sight, so heavy the rain, so somber the sky, when from the front windows of the great house there was espied afar off, creeping slowly along the winding road of approach, «forlorn, dingy, mud-bespattered old hearse. driven by an equally forlorn old negro and dragged by a correspondingly dilapidated old horse. Fol- lowing was one horseman, the von of Mr. Madison's favorite niece, his huge cloak drip- ping with rain, his soaked felt hat drawn low over his eyes. Such was the cortege that was bearing to the grave the remains of the onco brilliant and courted wife of the fourth Presi- dent of the United States. THEN AND Xow, Slowly through the splashing mud came the saddest of sad funerals through the gate that had so often opened for the pnasage of Mrs. Madison's coach-and-four; over the gravel road that had echoed the footsteps of her horses; st the portico were the Leautifal woman bea stood to weleome the comidg and speed e parting guest; past the port roug! sahil Gxt wand Ganter tor quand homes Past the windows of the many rooms where she Used to hold her court and receive the homage ing hands of liveried servants delighted to wait upon their charming mistress; past the garden, laid out to please ber as wore the Hanging Gar- dens for Queen Semiramis, which bad been so often by her presence, upon whose paths her little high-leoled slippers had left their many marks, and under whose arbors she had rested amid’ the sweet fragrance of tho Carolina jasmine; past the stables where her numerons pleasure horses had been sheltered; past the quarters, the once merry homes of her Many servitors; past the vast fields that had their i belle that although her English cousin would take it as a compliment, because she knows only the good ebild is very “cute” for she might resent it, al- though with us the word conveys no objection- able meaning. Such small differences in speech are not of sufficient importance to call forth serious eriti- cism. The britisher, indeed, is justly amused at some of our stranxe applications of words, so different from their old meanings, but lan guage is constantly changing and the original applications of hundreds of words are uiterly lost or forgotten. ‘There are other changes, however, which are inexcusable and deserving of the tm condemnation—those broughtabou Fashion may rule in never in language. J ridiculous fashion in Washington to say morning” up to 6 o'clock in the evening. How it can be tolerated, much less adopted, by per- sons of education is beyond my comprehension. Yet it is used by the wives of cabinet officers and Senators and by other ladies whose social position should place them above the dictates of avensoless, silly custom involving a positive misuse of words. May one say “gutten mor- gen” or “bon matin” after 12 o'clock’ Would Mrs. Senator Biank mvite her friends toa tea from 8 to7 o'clock Friday morning, p.m.?_ In the good old days we bad” morning, noon and might. When I first came to Washington it was evening after 12 o'clock. I have known @ Indy to invite a friend for 1 o'clock in the evening, p-m. Now she would necessarily say 1 o'clock iu the morning, showing what a mess fashion makes when it interferes with the legitimate use of words. Iam pleased to observe thatafew ladies have refused to adopt the custom of the many and still bid their friends goad afternoon ot good evening. May they continue in well do- ing, for verily they shall put the others to shame. Even now, after long practice, 1 doubt if any lady can say good morning on a bright, clear afternoon without feeling that the words are Inappropriate and a consciousness of affecta- tion or of making a concession to a custom having nothing to excuse or justify it. K. Hitcscocs. —_—_ A SCOTCH GIRL'S ROMANCE, She Comes Over in the Steerage and Marries @ Cabin Passenger. eaning, of course, 1 In the steerage of the Umbria during that = vessel's last passage from Liverpool to this Port, says the New York Times, were two pretty Scotch immigrant girls, In the Cu- narder’s cabin during the same trip was @ Voyager who was returning from a visit to his native Scotland. He isa resident of this city, and had been abroad nine months on a pleas- ure trip. During that period he became ac- quainted with the two Scotch girls, who were anxious to come to America to join relatives in Stamford, Conn. They engeriy accepted the offer of the homeward-bound tourist to see them safe across the ocenn, and the trioem- barked at Liverpool. When the Cunarder reached her pier the two girls, probably at the instigation of their guide, mingled with the cabin passengers and walked unmolested over the gaug plank with the passengers of that class. The fact that the girls had left the ship was soon discovered and reported to the immigra- tion authorities. A sharp lookout was kept for them, and when # young woman who answered the description of one of the missing immi- grants presented herself at Ellis Island Sunday morning with inquiries for her baggage she was escorted before Superintendent Weber. To that oficial she explained that she bad just been married to the kind friend who accompanied her over. Inquiry into the manner in which the ceremony had been performed elicited the fact that the man had shown a paper to the girl bearing some sort of aseal and told her her signature was all that was necessary to make it @ marriage contract. When Col. Weber told her she had been deceived the girl fainted. The girl was detained and @ search for the man instituted. Greatly to the surprise of the officials he betrayed himself by unguarded in- quiries at the landing bureau for his missing friend. It was his turn to be surprised when he was taken into custody and brought before Col. Weber. Vhen the man denied any intention to de- ceive and said it was his wish to marry the girl Col. Weber took him at his word and’ sent him before Pastor Berkemier, one of the emi- grant missionaries. To guard against any change of mind an officer accompanied the pair and witnessed the marriage ceremony, ————_+e+___—_ Written tor Taz Evenine Stan Verily. (From the German of Heine.) ‘When the spring-time comes with the sunshine back, Then flower-buds swell and the flowers bloom bright; ‘When the moon walks forth on her path of light, ‘Then the little stars swim in her radiant track; When the poet beholds two sweet, soft eyes, Then songs from the deeps of his spirit arise; Bat songs, and stars, and Sowers bloom bright, And eyes, and moonshine, and sun's warm lighty Howe’er such stuff may pleasing be, Don’t make up a world, nay, verily! Gondola Song. (From the German of Geibel.) ‘Oh, come to me when through the night Heaven's hosts in glory glide! Our gondola in the moon's clear light ‘Will waft us o'er the tide. Tender as love's touch plays the air, ‘The golden giow is soft; My cithern’s tinkling tones will bear ‘Thy soul with them aloft. Ob, come to me when through the night, &c It is the hour for lovers true, ‘My sweet, Uke thee and me; ‘The peaceful skies are darkly blue, And calmly siceps the sea. And, as it sleeps, thine eyes will tell What tongues tell not by day; ‘Nor will thy lips the kiss repel, ‘Turned cold from mine away. ‘Oh, come to me when throngh the night Heaven's hosts in glory glide! Our gondola in the moon's clear light ‘Will waft us oer the tide. Watches and Kisses, (From the German of Heine.) ‘Tell me by whom were watches invented, And time with minutes and hours indented? "Twas some half-frozen, mournful wight, ‘Who sat and mused in the winter night; And counted the mouse’s shrieks I’ the cranny, And the wooa-worm’s regular ticks uncanny. ‘Tell me by whom were kisses invented? ’Twas some warm, happy mouth presented ‘To one it kissed, not thinking why. ‘The month was May, and blue the aky; ‘The earth with howers was all ‘this transaction, either. im the price obtained or | in thequantity of! froand involved, al-| though the square con- tained a total of 220,000 | sale is due to the announcement that the pur- | shoear aeeech Sha poser tot te ‘of | White House he would be Mr. Onrlisie. improving it. Those familiar with the locality | not square fectand at the asia Price, 40 cents per foot, the sale amounted to | in here worship, and any good democrat whom $38,000. The interest which attaches to this the nation: NEITHER HILL NOR CLEVELAND. Henry Watterson Declares That Both @re Out of the Presidential Race. Mr. Henry Watterson, in an authorized tn- terview yesterday in Chicago, virtaally called upon Mr. Cleveland to withdraw from the race for the presidential nomination. Mr. Watter- eon maid the nomination of the ex-President would be suicidal for the democratic party. Hill, too, he believed, had dug his own polit- ical grave in New York #tate and he regards the conflict there ax practically irreconcilab® The party, he says, must go west for ite candi- date or eck him in either of the three states of Massachusetts Pennsyivanis or Maryland. In tically calling upon Mr. Cleveland to withdraw, Mr. Watterson scored the ex-Pree ident. Three questions were proponn mo rf propounded to the dis- Kentuckian. The first and second related to Mr. Watterson’ Upon the tariff and mlver important question va bi hi well-keown views The third and most that of the presidential x. Watterson answered jast, He ever indulged myself very much convention may see fit t@ nomi- me. If had to pate man in the te will © “I regard nit as the best-equipped demoorat in public li He is ableand bonest. He is are aware that this square, which lies between | sovnd to the core and has the courage of his 13th and 14th streetaand E and F streets north- | Couvictions. - He was making great expostions east, is considerably above grade. posed to reduce the entire tract te grade, to says that the purchaser, who is represented in the deeds of transfer by John Kuhn, intends | to make all these improvements in this | Property and that be also proposes to erect some 172 houses Mr. Hufty eatimntes that between two and three hundred thousand dollars will be expended in improvements. It is probable that all the houses will not be erected this year, but no doubt if the investor feels encouraged’ over his venture be will not stop until he has completed the entire design. If all is carried out that is proposed the total investments will be in the neighborhood of $400.00, which is rather a good sum of money to stow away in one equare of ground in one season. ‘TRE MUILDINO SEASON. At any event all the building operations in that section of the city will not be confined to that one locality. There are good indications that the building activity this year will be as great as last year, and there is no doubt that the eastern section of the city, where so much was done last year, will be the scene of a fair share of the present season's activity. Bricks are going to be cheaper this year than ther were last. Good merchantabie bricks will seil for 87 per 1,000, while last year the same quality brick was selling for $7.50 and ¢% per 1,000. It is likely that the supply will be abundant, as the new companies that have lately sprung up are in the market as active com- titors for whatever business may be in sight. free large concerns are now engaged in mak- ing brick in addition to those that have been in business for some years past. The facilities of the old concerns bave of course been improved, and there is mo doubt that the capacity for brickmaking of the establishments in this District is very much larger than it was a few years ago. The annual output is said to be about 150,000,000 bricks. It is not thought that there is any fear of « brick famine this year ny rate, and builders are inclined to regard with favor such » prospect, for a scarcity of brick results in advancing prices, and 50 cents of a dollar additional on a thonsand of bricks makes » considerable item in the increase in the cost of housg building. Last year about 2,300 new houses were erected, and there was expended in building improvements of all kinds the large sum of nearly €8,000,000. It seems to be the opinion of those familiar with the market that the record for this season will be up fully to that of last season. A NEW CHURCH EDIFICE The congregation of which Rev. Hoz Swem is pastor is looking forward te the erection of anew church edifice. The church building on Virginia avenue near 4th street is entirely too small to meet the needs of this congregation, which is rapidly becoming one of the largest connected with the Baptist denomination in this city. The new church edifice, like those that have been erected here in recent years, will show the changes that have taken place in the taste for church architecture. With some few exceptions the old church buildings have very little to recommend them from an architectural standpoint. Either poverty or an indifference to the appearance of those buildings so long as they were large enough re- sulted in the erection of church edifices which are as plain and ugly and in some cases as un- comfortable as was possibleto make them. It is unfortunate that the customef building of two- story structures bas been so generally followed and itis a welcome change that the modern structure, asa rule, the main suditorium on the first floor. Important changes are contemplated in the edifice occupied by the New York Avenue Pree- byterian Church. “The congregation hus out- grown the present seating capacity, although Galleries have been put in in recent years and colonies have gone out and organized new churches, It is proposed to utilize the ground in front of the church for steps and an en- trance, and also to include the vacant space on the New York avenue side within the church wi ‘THE ASSESSMENT OF Taxrs. Last week the three assessors completed the view of property in Georgetown. Since last July they have been engaged in the work of assessing real estate for taxation. After hay- ing completed their view of all the property includgd within the old municipal limits of the city théy turned their attention to property in Georgetown. There is till the property in the county to be assessed, but as Congress has been asked to extend the time in which county property can be assessed to next December, the Assessors expect to be ready by the first Mon- day in June to submit the results of their work as far as Washington and Georgetown aro concerned. They are now engaged in office work, going over the notes which were made by each one of the assessors when they in- spected the property for the purpose of ‘fixing & valuation. | Property owners during the months of June and July will have an oppor- tunity to inspect the new assessment and then assessors how they ought to have assessed Property. Citizens who are dissatisfied will be given a chance to convince the assessors of the error of 's. When the collector of taxes makes out his bills in November of next year they will be based on the assessment which has just been completed. The new District appropriation bill makes no provision for the payment of the salaries of the three assessors after the close of the present year, and unless @ change is made the assessors will cease to exist officially after that date, although one purpose of the in the number of the assessors from nine to three was to have @ permanent board of assossors, NEW SUBURBAN RAILBOADS. The southern branch of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, which is to leave the Metropol- itan branch at Linden and extend across the tom point on the Potomac just north St the istic line, poser west, to « station tobe has been built for two miles known as Chevy Chase, which is located northern boundary of the soutbern Toad have been from 4th and U streets and Connecticut avenue and Florida avenue to the two miles of track on the northern “area that by the 1! completed. The { It is pro-| i democratic lore and leading democratic tariff battles when Mr. Cleveland war mayor of fle would make an eminent Prési- Him aside, anybody will suit me if be does not come from New York.” “Because the factions there have made the Romination of any New Yorker impossible. Gov. Hill has killed Mr. Cleveland and im doing so be has almost killed himself, ‘The nowine tion must come west or go. to Massachusetts, Penneylvania or Maryland. If we could not t Mr, Cieveland in 1888, when he was in the White House and when we hadall the outer sof harmony in the state of have against nt opposition? Mr. Cleve- land made us a good Prerident. In great affairs he has many of the elements of a great mam atm most sincerely his friend, but L must con- text and sometimes I feel like resenting the notion that he is our sole, our ouly and most original Moses in .he matter of tariff reform. Mr. Cleveland allowed three years of his old administration to pass before be declared bim- self. When other democrats were struggling with the demons of darkness be was Passive and silent. When he did speak ont he spoke weil, but he was #0 skeptical of the issue ted he sent Mr. Gorman and the late Wm. L. Scott to St. Louis With @ cutand-dred platform, ignoring bis own message, ignoring the Mills bill and rens- eerting asthe party law the straddie we had made in Chicago in 1884. Ido not wean to impeech or criticise Mr. Cleveland in the lonst. He is as good a tarif! reformer as auyoody, but he is no better than half # dozen who bave an equal claim with him to the public confidence. n face of the New York schism it seems to me his nomination would be sheer euicide, and 1 have so much respect for his sense of dignity and honor that J take it for granted that be will in due time withdraw bis name.” “Do you think Senator Palmer is too old?” “Why, what is the matter with Gladstone or rk? No, certainly not. He is an excel- Jent man, and, if there are no sink holes in h record, would make an excellent candidate. 80 would Gov. Boise of Iowa. So would Gov. Russell, or Gov. Pattison, or Mr. Gorman if we decide to go east. The woods are full of ad- mirable posibilities.” In reference to a bint that be himee! bt bea candidate Mr. Watterson remarked: “When there bas beon «foreign war and I have had the opportunity to sink my confederate record under a Union commission, and do prodigies of valor on the tented field, or words to that effect, come to me and I will talk to you abwat a” Master of His Fate, he night that covers me, Black as the pit from pole to pol I thank whatever gods may be For my uuconquetabie soul. In the fell clutch of ciroumstance Thave not winced not cried alou@ Under the bludgeonings of chance My head i bloods, but unbowed. Beyond this place of wrath and tears ms but the otTor of the shades And yet the menace of the years Finds and shall nd me unafrai@ Out It matters not how straight the gate, How charged with pui J am the master it The right-angled triangle of 1867.