Evening Star Newspaper, June 2, 1929, Page 101

limited to 225 shares of $200 each, and the toll xeceipts were to be divided in annual dividends. As evidenced by the following letter, signed by President Washington's secretary, the first Chief Executive was interested in the construc- tion of this bridge, and the placing of it at this point met with his approval. The letter reads: “Philadelphia, November 27, 1795. “To the Commissioners of the Federal City. “Gentlemen: Your letter of this 18th instant with enclosures has been received by the Presi- dent of the United States, and he directs me to inform you that your proceedings exhibited thereby meet his approbation. The enclosed section of a bridge designed for the Eastern Branch was put into my hands by Mr. Blodgett with a request that I would present it to you for your consideration. The various advan- tages belonging to it he will explain to you on his arrival in Washington, which he proposes to visit shortly. “I am, gentlemen, &c., “P. D. (Andridge), Secretary.” However, it does not appear that any great effort was made to erect the bridge at this time, and the next we hear of the project is on March 18, 1801, when it was announced that books would be opened for subscriptions to the stock of the company, which it was stated would be limited to $45,000. All the stock having been subscribed for, proposals to erect the bridge were asked for over the name of William Brent, secretary of the Eastern Branch Bridge Co., though it was not until January, 1804, that the structure was sufficiently advanced to enable the company to collect tolls. At this period the width of the Eastera Brank off Kentucky avenue is said to have been 1,543 feet, while the depth of the water at common low tdie is placed at 4 feet. One of the channels was 12 to 14 feet in depth and 450 feet wide. Like the Long Bridge, this bridge was buraed late on the afternoon of August 24, 1814, as a strategic measure—no doubt to keep it from being used by the enemy. However, the British found it just as convenient and more safe to come by way of Bladensburg, and also took advantage of this route in retiring. Its de- struction was accomplished by a body of Ma- rines under Capt. Creightpn of the Navy, but the military justification for so doing has never been admitted, since the enemy had already crossed the branch at Bladensburg. Nearly a year later Congress passed an act appropriating $2,500 for the Eastern Branch Bridge Co., for damage done to the bridge, after which it was repaired and used as a toll bridge until about 1841, when it is said to have been in disuse for general travel for some time, though used regularly for foot iravel until 1846, when it is reported to have caught fire from a steamer passing up to Skaggs’ camp meeting, near Benning, and was destroyed. The old piling was visible at low tide for many years afterward. THE Lower Bridge—by which name the bridge at Pennsylvania avenue and the Eastern Branch was also early known—was historic from its association with the invasion of the British. It was from here that Commodore Barney marched to the District line and met the enemy with such telling results. Indeed, he and his sailors and marines did all the fight- ing that was done for the Americans. According to M. I. Weller, in his story of Commodore Barney, in the records of the Co- Jumbia Historical Society, the commodore “* * * disembarked a strong force at Benedict, which was already on the march to Washington; he immediately landed with 400 of his men, leav- ing the flotilla with 103 men under the com- mand of his second lieutenant, Mr. Frazier, a little above Pig Poinf, with positive orders, should the enemy appear near him in force, to set fire to évery boat and see that they were in conflagration and then join him with the rest of tHe ‘men; this was done the next day. He also informed the secretary of ‘Ad- miral Cockburn’s boast that he would dine in Washington on Sunday, after having destroyed the flotiila’ Barney marched to Upper Marl- borough that evening, the next morning he con- tinued his march to the Wood Yard to meet Gen. Winder; wirich he reached about noon. There he again met Capt. Miller of the Ma- rines, with 80 men and 5 guns, under orders to report to him. Commodore Barney was much gratified at this accession to his forc>; in the meantime, Gen. Winder rode up and stated that the whole American Army had been ordered to retreat to Washingfon, which course the commodore had to follow, with his naval division, encamping that night at Old Ficld. President Madison, with his cabinet, had all come from Washington to meet them; the Secretary of the Navy joined the commo- dore and slept that night in his tent. “Next morning Commodore Barney accoms- panied the Secretary, to pay his respects to the President, who in the course of the fore- noon reviewed the combined forces and ex- horted the officers to be firm and faithful to their duty. At sunset they resumed the linz2 of march toward the city, crossing the Eastern Branch Bridge, at the foot of Pennsylvania avenue, when about 10 p.m., they reached Washington; Commodore Barney leaving his guns with a detachment at the circle, located at the west end of the bridge, taking the re- mainder of his force to the Marine Barracks, on Eighth street southeast, where they passed the night. “In the morning, Gen. Winder had an inter- view with the commodore, stating ihat he ex- pected the enemy would underiake to enter the city by the same route they had taken, and requested the commodore to take upon himself the defense of the Eastern Branch Bridge. The commodore hastened to comply with this order, placing his cannon in battery formation at the circle (foot of Pennsylvania avenue), so as to command the passage of the river. About 11 o'clock a vidette came with the information that the enemy had suddenly wheeled to the right and were then on the road to Bladensburg: a moment later and President Madison and his cabinet rode up, to whom Commodore Barney imparted the in- formation he had just received; he at once solicited permission to abandon the position at the bridge and that he be allowed to march with his force to join the Army, then posted between Bladensburg and the city. The Presi- THE SUNDAY 2, 1929 _PART 7. View of the old Navy Yard Bridge from Anacostia side. P hotograph taken about the time Booth made his escape dent readily assented and in a few minutes Commodore Barney was on his march toward Bladensburg, with his guns and men.” HE opening of the present bridge at this point took place on Monday, August 235, 1890, with considerable of a celebration under the auspices of the East Washington Citi- zens' Assoclation. Commissioner L. G. Hine was among those who made remarks, after which it is said the band played “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” A poem, entitled “The Old Burnt Bridge,” and written for the occasion by George Francis Dawson, was then delivered. It was in part as follows: from Washington, in 1865. “O ye old stumps, whose charred remains today Point heav'nward through the waters and the Brass— Like fingers of an oath-bound hand, to say: ‘We did our duty; here, they could not pass'— Ye still are sound at heart as ye were then! Types of our people, brave, and strong, and true, With hearts of oak, the manliest of men, Whno make reverses aids to triumphs new. “For, mark the sequel! Though our starry flag Trailed in the dust beneath these British feet, The shame aroused the spirit of the land, And thousands sprang to arms to meet and beat These same invaders hard by Baltimore, Where many a Briton met a gory end, ‘While i(he dear flag waved glorious, as of yore, From Fort McHenry and the North Point shore! The Smuggler’s Stratagem A story by Paul Caulot, translated from the French by William I.. McPherson. T is soldom that those who defy morality and the laws to enrich themselves show much imagination. Generally, when they succeed, it is owing less to their in- telligence than to the simplicity of their dupes. But sometimes we find operations o in- geniously planned that although we condemn the plotters we cannot but admire their astute- ness. Into this category falls a smuggling episode which occurred on the Spanish frontier about the middle of the century. One day there was veritable battle in a gorge of the Pyrenees between customs officers and some daring smugglers who were trying to bring in merchandise. Shots were exchanged. Some of the customs men were wounded. The smug- glers were able to get away, all except one, who had been brought down with a bullet in the leg. He was held for trial in the courts of Haute- Garonne. Some days before the trial a man dressed like a peasant appeared at the courthouse and asked the janitor; “Can you give me the address of a lawyer who is a fluent talker?”. “All the lawyers in Toulouss are fluent talk- ers,” the janitor replied. “Yes, but who can talk longest?” ¥ “You mean to say, who is the most eloquent? Well M. X——, or M. Y——, or M. Z—" “One is enough. Give me M. X—'s ad- dress.” The man called in the lawyer and stated his case. “ONE of my cousins,” he said, “met with.a slight accident in the course of a brush with the customs officers. He is to appear be- fcre the criminal court. I want him to have a good lawyer and I am here to ask you to undertake his defense. I will pay whatever is necessary.” They agreed upon a fee, which was to be paid in advance. But before going the man said: “I have been told that you can make a long argument. That is precisely what I want you to do.” “I shall discuss all the facts in the case, you may be assured, and I shall also try, if not to win an acquittal for your cousin-—which szems out of the question—at least to show extenu- ating circumstances and to secure a mitigation of the sentence.” “That is well enough, but it is not all. I wish you to speak several hours, if nccessary.” “But I don't want to wear out the jury's patience.” “That is my affair. T stick to my idea. I engage you on this one condition: That you promise to speak until I make a sign to stop.” “That is a strange condition.” “Take it or leave it.” ‘“Well, have your way,” said the lawyer. “After all, a client has the right to express his wishes. But he accepts the responsibility, of course.” He thought that he was dealing with one of those rustics who in the matter of eloguence appreciate quantity rather than quality. It was agreed, then, that the man should take a front seat and that the lawyer should continue his plea until a nod of the head should bring him to a stop. On the day of the trial M. X-—— began to speak after the accused had been examined, the customs officers had testified and the public prosecutor had summed up. He brought to bear all his talents and resources. At the end of an hour, thinking that he had said all that it was advantageous to say, he turned toward his client, hoping that the latter would make the stipulated sign. But no. The advocate re- sumed iis speech, restating his arguments, but glancing at the man, who remained absolutely impassive. The orator was in torment. He could feel that he was wearing the jurors and the judge. But, faithful to his promise, he still talked and talked. Finally the man made his sign. It was a de- liverance. M. X-—— concluded and sat down, even more annoyed than he was tired. The jury took notice of the extenuating cir- cumstances, but the judge imposed a maximum penalty. % AI"I‘ER the court adjourned the lawyer stripped off his robe and joined his client. “You got an extra year for your cousin,” he sald. “But I warned you in advance. It isn't my fault. hid “Nobody is blaming you. It's all right as it S0 much the better if you are satisfied. But your cousin has ne reason 'to be satisfied.” He is the vietim of the:blunder:which you foresd us to commit.” . s “Blunder? ‘Blunder?” said the man with a malicious smile. It was geiting dark. The sireet was deserted. The man added: “I can tell you about it now. We had a re- venge to take on the customs officers.: We profited by the fact that they were all or nearly all in the court to bring in a big consignment of goods. But it was necessary to keep them here until the operation was over and, for that purpose, to lengthen out the court’s sitting. When I was informed that the affair was suc- cessfully carried through I gave you the sign. Do you understand now?” “Evidently it was well planned out,” answered the lawyer.in a tone which betrayed his repug- nance for.the role which he had played. The man took no offense and replied good- humoredly: “Our profc on is not a recognized one, but in it we risk our liberty and sometimes our lives. There is a state of war between us and the customs officers, and when the opportunity offers, we can permit ourselves to employ a stratagem of war. Good-by, monsieur.” And the man vanished into the night. A Portrait. BY LORD DUNSANY. Lwvery thought of the heart, Lvery yearning and fear, Is mirrored a while in faces As moving leaves in a mere. And every glance of the eye Smiling, and every frown, Go the same way down to the darkness With all that goes down. Tsme went striding by, Sweeping all things away. Rembrandt looked up for a moment And said to hwm: Stay. “And so, this bridge. stumps, Which point with martyred fingers to vour past? We, hail Today, and celebrate the New— A bridge of sftone and iron, buili to last, A lasting heritage for peaceful times, A highway for the use of rich and poor, An artery to flow with milk and corn, Ard other products, to cur very door!” The oration was delivered by Represeniative Jonathan H. Rowell of Illinois, and the invo= cation and benediction by Rev. Thomas B. Hughes and Rev. James W. Clark, respectively. The full Marine Band was in attendance with John Philip Sousa as conductor. Adieu, ye blackened ’l‘HE Benning Bridge, early known as the Anacosiia, Ewell’s, and the Upper Bridge, was authorized by the Maryland Legislature on January 20, 1797, and the Anacos'ia Bridge Co. was incorporated by the same authority for the purpose of erecting the bridge, which, it would appear, was built mainly at the ex- pense of Benjamin Stoddert, who, with Thomas Law and John Templeman, was authorized in the charter to receive subscriptions to the stock. Upon the death of Stoddert, it was ascertained that he had owned within four shares of the entire authorized capital of $20,000. Dr. Thomas Ewell, his son-in-law, served as administrator of his estate, and the bridge finaily was sold, about 1825, to William Benning and became known as the “Benning Bridge,” by which name we know the present structure even today. It was also one of the bridges burned by order of the military au- thorities during the war of 1812-15, and for which Congress passed bills of relief. The original Navy Yard Bridge, which we now call the Anacostia Bridge, was constructed under an act of Congress passed Fcbruary 14, 1819, when a charter was granted to William Prout, William Marbury, Samuel N. Small- wood, Timothy Winn and Adam Lindsay. On July 4, following its authorization, work on the bridge was begun, and although not en- tirely finished three months later, yet it was thrown open at this time. to the public. During President Grant's second- adminisirae= tion, this old structure was considered -2 menace and removed to avoid a calamity, and another bridge built here in its place under the super=- vision of Gen. Orville E. Babcock, Engineer Corps, U. S. A. 3 Associated with the Navy Yard -Bridge is the escape of John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Abraham Lincoln in the night of April 14, 1865, for it was by way of this bridge that he left the city with Harold, his accomplice. Though the bridge at the time was still under military guard, being in charge of Sergt. Silas T. Cobb, yet, the war being over, the restrictions om passing the bridges at Washingion were re- laxed, and so, when two horsemen appeared at the bridge 10 minutes apart, they were allowed to pass upon saying that. they were returning to their homes in Charles County, Md. Later when the tub carrying Booth's body, and the prisoney, Harold, came up the Potemace, it was moored close to the old bridge and the body of Booth was laid out on the deck of the monitor Montauk, and Haroid, in double irons, was put in the hold. F course, there is no comparisen between the present bridge over this part of the Po- tomac and the two earlier ones which stood here. The first one cost only $18,000. A de- scription of it states that it was 25 feet wide, 1,600 feet long, and was “built of wood resiing on piles with a draw over the channel, which was 24 feet deep at that point.” The second bridge—the one built under the direction of Gen. Babcock—undoubtedly still is remembered by many of our citizens, especially those who were bicycle enthusiasts and took long trips throughout suburban Washingion and into the States of Maryland and Virginia, 35 or 40 years ago—that is, when the roads made it possible to do so. Over the Anacostia Bridge was the route usually followed to ride to Forestville and farther on to Upper Marl- boro, which was considered a very good day's run. However, the most difficult part of this trip was in riding up the long, steep grade of Good Hope Hill, which began immediately upon leaving Anacostia. It was by far the hardest stretch of road to cover, and it took a mighty strong rider not to have to dismount befora reaching the top. Today we go up this hill in .our automobiles without even giving the grade a thought, and arrive at Marlboro in about three-quarters of an hour, which was an alle day’s trip in the good old days, even with @ blcycle bullt for two.