Evening Star Newspaper, March 6, 1932, Page 78

THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, MARCH 6, 1932, Early Settlers on Piney Branch Road “Argyle,”” Home of the Blagdens, and Blagden Hill, Famous for Coasting Parties, Among Features of Area—Story of George Blagden, Who Built Washington Houses, and Assisted in Building Capitol. BY JOHN CLAGETT PROCTOR. HERE are many who have fond recol- lections of Piney Branch road, for, especially in the days when bicycling was a craze, it was one of the two roads that ran to Brightwood and beyond that was used about as much as any road around Washington by the enthu- siastic wheelman. Today even the old resi- dent would have a hard time locating it if he were to try, for much of it has been done away with and other streets have taken its place. Like ncarly every road around Wash- ington, it was laid out to provide the easiest grades and to cost as little as possible for grading, the result being its serpentine course. In the days prior to the Civil War, Four- teenth street road extended to Piney Branch, where Piney Branch road commenced and ex- tended to Brightwood, then known as Crystal Spring. At an earlier period, when racing took place at Holmead's race track, the center of which was about at the junction of Colum- bia road and Fourteenth street, Fourteenth street road extended only as far north as Park road, Indeed, Fourteenth street in the city— that is from Florida avenue south—was not opened to travel until subsequent to 1802, as the first session of the City Council that year provided for the “opening, clearing and making passable for wagons” of Fourteenth street from F street to the northern bounds of the city. Piney Branch road was even more picturesque than the Seventh street pike, probably because it was more winding. Of course, it was made up of hills and valleys and was well wooded along the sides. One of the steepest and long- est grades between the city and Brightwood was known as Blagden's Hill, and many a prudent bicyclist thought it better to walk up this hill than to tire himself out by riding it. During the Winter months, when snow was on the ground, this hill made an especially good one for sledding, and the young folks came from miles around to participate in this delightful and exhilarating sport. Particularly was this so of the people of Mount Pleasant, who always turned out upon such occasions in large numbers. Piney Branch road also ex- tended beyond Brightwood, as it does today, to Takoma Park. ITTLE of this old road now remains be- tween Mount Pleasant and Brightwood. We first find it at about Oak street where it takes a northwest course until it reaches Sixteenth street, where it bears the name of Spring place. From here to about Allison street it has been obliterated, but from that place on it continues northwardly, paralleling Sixteenth street to the east until it enters Colorado avenue (formerly Piney Branch road) between Hamilton and Ingraham streets, A small section still bears the old name in Brightwood, as it does farther on. To the north of Mount Pleasant was then, as now, Spring road, but in its present im- proved condition, it has almost lost its identity. On this road toward Fourteenth street lived Mrs. Sendenberg, near the Shirleys, they being close neighbors to William J. Rhees, who owned an estate called The Oaks. Mr. Rhees was for many years the chief clerk of the Smith- sonian Institution, served on the school board and wrote much of the history of the public schools of the District of Columbia. He was also one of the founders here of the Young Men's Christian Association. He was learned, refined, courteous, kind and a typical gentle- man of the old school, such as we occasionally meet today—men like the late Cuno H. Rudolph, William T. Galliher and John B. Lamer, and our dear old friend, John Joy Edson, who still lives, and we hope may con- tinue to do so. Mr, Rhees was married twice, his first wife being a sister of Virginia Clark Lewis, wife of Joseph Knowles Lewis. Capt. Joseph T. W. Hall's place was just east of the junction of Fourteenth street road and Spring road, to the west of which lived J. C. Lewis on his 15 acres called Tip Top, which extended from the Lenman tract on the south, crossing and ending at Piney Branch on the north. Nearby was Mr, Lewis’ blue- stone quarry, then much in demand for build- ing purposes and from which the long wall at the first gate of the Soldiers’ Home, extending along the road below Gen. Scott’s statue, was built. Capt. Hall was a son-in-law of Mr. Lewis and was a Civil War veteran, and today sleeps in Arlington National Cemetery beside his wife. An old wooden bridge formerly occupied the site of the bridge which now spans Piney . Branch—or what little is left of it—for a large sewer has taken the place of this stream, and the beauty of the valley at this point is gone forever. The writer is told by Frank Stickney, who, as a boy, played over this territory, that the hills in this vicinity at one time were well wooded and included a number of chestnut trees which attracted the attention of the youngsters when the nuts were ripe. He also remembered a statement that a few feet from the water's edge (and this must have been 60 years ago) was once a small slab of wood which marked the resting place of two British soldiers who died on the march to the Capitol in 1814. When the street level was raised it was reported the wooden memorial was ob- literated. The writer told Mr. Stickney that there seemed to be some mistake about this, since, as the British did not march this way, it would be hard to account for their being in this vicinity and so far from their regi- ments. N the west side of Sixteenth street, and on the hill about a block to the south of the Piney Branch Bridge, was the house in the trees, known as Airy Castle, the home of Allen B. Hayward, a one-armed Civil War veteran and clerk in the Pension Office. This was during the 80's. The John T. Lenman tract extended along what is now Ogden street to Capt. Hall's prop- erty on the south, and was notable for a mag- nificent grove of trees growing on the south- ern end of the place. The only house 0a the A part of the old May Building, Seventh and E streets northwest. At left, offices of Lewis & Hall, whose sand and gravel plant and stone quarry was once located at Piney Branch road and Sixteenth street. grounds was a plain two-story affair, prob- ably occupied by a caretaker. Mr. Lenman was a well-known Washington financier, and erected the Lenman Building, on New York avenue near Fifteenth street, the site now being occupied by the National Sav- ings & Trust Company. Here Col. James G. Berret, Edwin B. Hay, Albert P. Coumbe and Bishop Hurst of the American University rented office rooms. The Hall residence later became the prop- erty of J. Blake Kendall, a cousin of Amos Kendall, who replaced it with a more modern structure, which, with additions, is now the Kendall Sanatorium. Close to the bridge, and not far from where the Indians once made their arrow-points, Messrs. Lewis and Hall planned to manufac- ture a newly-invented explosive substance for a New York interest. Long sheds were built, and experts came on to make experiments, but, unfortunately, as the first explosion was pre- mature, several colored employes were severe- ly wounded, and Capt. Hall was badly hurt, the making of dynamite—or whatever it was called —was given up for the safer occupation of furnishing stone, gravel and sand for building purposes. Another early resident of this neighborhood was a Mr, York, a native of Greece. His place extended east from Piney Branch Road and a portion adjoined the land of Mr. Rhees. York was a farmer, but Mrs. York—probably Julia E. York—taught school for many years in Mount Pleasant, as did her daughter, Miss Emily York. Both of these teachers are still remembered by the older generation and great- ly esteemed for their lovable dispositions by those who received their education in what was then a typical rural school. Close to where the Fourteenth street car barns are now located and facing Piney Branch road, lived the Osborn family, which in 1878 included William H, J. T, A. G, M, G. W. and C. D. Osborn. THE Blagden estate, known as Argyle, which once extended along the west side of Piney Branch road, is now scarcely recog- nizable; just in a few years turned into & small here from England, was for a while superintend- ent of stone work in building the Capital. He was also the contractor for building the two houses for Gen. Washington which formerly stood on North Capitol street, now a part of the Capitol plaza. As will be recalled, the ground for these dwellings cost the first Presi- dent $963. It is said he planned these resi- dences expecting to occupy one as a city resi- dence; he died, however, before they were com- pleted, and they became congressional board- ing houses. Admiral Wilkes at one time occu- pied one of the buildings, and the ~famous novelist, Mrs. E. D. E. N. Southworth, was born here. Later they were combined and became the Hillman House, where a historic murder occurred about 40 years ago. EFERRING to these houses and to Mr. Blag- den, Gen. Washington, writing from Mount Vernon to Dr. Thornton, under date of Septem- ber 28, 1798, said: “I feel very much obliged by the trouble you have taken in this business, and you will add considerably to the obligation by examining Mr. Blagdin’s estimate accurately, to prevent any imposition upon me. Your knowledge of prices and perfect acquaintance in matters- of this kind will enable you to form a correct judgment of the componant parts, as well as the aggregate amount, of the proposed build- ings, whereas my unacquaintedness in the pres- ent prices of materials—workmen's wages, etc., etc.—might subject me (if the undertaker was so disposed) to great imposition. I am willing to pay the full value according to the plan, and will sign any agreement you shall approve; relying infinitely more on your judgment in this business than any skill I have in it.” Again, under date of October 4, he writes to the commissioners: “Mr. Blagden’s estimate of the cost of the houses I had proposed to build far exceeds any aggregate sum I had contemplated, or think I could command, unless more punctuality was to be found in the fulfillment of contracts than is, I believe, experineced by any one. Eight or at most $10,000 was the extent of my calcula- tion. The house Mr. Law is about to build (not much if any less than my two) is under- taken for less than $6,000, as he informed me. This information and the report that materials and workmen’s wages were low—disposed me to build houses of better appearance than is neces- sary perhaps for the primary object which induced the measure. “But I will suspend any final decision until I see Mr. Blagden’s estimate in detail with your observation thereupon, and what part of the work I can execute with my own tradesmen, thereby reducing the advances. I shall only add that with a high sense of the trouble you have Yad in this business and with very great esteem and regard I am, Gentlemen, “Your most obedient, &c.” HOUGH Washington in his correspondence apparently throws himself on the mercy of Dr., Thornton, who was one of the Federal Com- missioners, as well as the designer of the Capitol, yet in doing so, he shows an astuteness that demonstrates he had considerable knowledge on the subject, as we find by his letter of October 17, in which he states: “Your favor of the 15th enclosing Mr. Blag- den’s statement relative to my proposed build- ings did not reach my hands until last night. “He has not accompanied this statement with specific prices, nor has it altered my opinion of the unreasonableness of the former estimates of some of its parts. Bui being desirous of closing the matter with Mr. Blagden some way or other, I make him the following offer, viz.: “To take the painting, glazing and iron mongery to myself; and allow him besides, ten thousand five hundred dollars, in full of commission and every other charge for com- pleting the buildings agreeably to the specifica= tion which he handed to me, and is now in his possession. “If he will agree to this proposal, the con- tract may be immediately drawn; and he may proceed in all the preparatory measures as soon as he pleases. Money shall be furnished for the purpose, and if it would be convenient and advantageous to him to have the whole of the scantling and plank provided by a Bill of the same and he would furnish me therewith, I would immediately order it from the Eastern Shore of Maryland. “On the other hand, if he will not agree to it I must have recourse to some other mode to accomplish my object. The final answer of Mr. Blagden must be received without delay, as the important opportunity of providing ma- terials on good terms may be missed. With great esteem and regard, I am, &c.” FEW days later he says: * * * “I have re- solved to agree to Mr. Blagden's terms: that is, to give him eleven thousand dollars to build the two houses, according to the plan agreed on and agreeably to the specifications which has been presented to me, and must be 5 aisg sk RERE %’% § s amount of workmen’'s wages every ortnight or week, as shall be stipu- 4 en also visited Mount Vernon to with Gen. Washington, as we find by his letter of October 27 in which he speaks of this gentdeman, saying: “When Mr. Blagden came here yesterday with your favor of the 25th inst. and the plans, specifications, etc. of my houses, I was out on my usual ride about my farms, and when I returned home I found company, which pre= vented my answering your letter by him.” Later he says: “Upon conversing more fully with Mr. Blagden, upon the frontispiece of the door, and considering that to make them of stone instead of wood will add durability to the work, I have agreed to allow the differ ence, viz,, $150, that they may be erected with the latter, and as he represented in strong terms the wishes of Mr. Prancis that a part of the cellars should be vaulted for the benefit of wine, I have agreed to this also. He thinks the additional cost may amount to $100 or more, but having made no estimate thereof, :fu:l'l'a" be charged at what it really stands g = g s § ] -] | VIDENTLY Mr. Lenthal was in some way interested in the contract for building these houses, for later on we find Washington saying: - “Your favor of the 28th instant, enclosing deeds for my lots in the PFederal City—and Messrs. Blagden and Lenthal's estimate and