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[459]

Chapter 62: life in Washington, D. C., 1866 to 1874; assigned to duty in regular army as commander, Department of the Columbia

One day in Washington, a gentleman introduced me to Madame Schoolcraft. She was the granddaughter of an Indian chief and the widow of Henry R. Schooloraft, the Indian historian who has left such graphic accounts of Indian tribes. She was apparently about sixty years of age, a tall, handsome, stately woman with exceedingly dark and brilliant eyes which seemed to pierce one through and through when she was talking. She had considerable funds in her hands left her by her husband, and was induced by a real estate agent to invest a large part of them in Washington city property: stores, houses, and house lots in various parts of the city.

It was just after the wonderful changes that had taken place through the vote of the city (at that time the citizens of Washington had a vote granted to them by Congress). Under the leadership of the energetic and enterprising Alexander R. Shepherd, sometimes called “Boss Shepherd,” the improvements were so extensive throughout the city that property rose everywhere in value.

Madame Schooleraft came to me very much troubled about her property. She said: “I am too old to take care of so many pieces.” After looking into the subject, I thought that I could aid her by an exchange

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