Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-08-23
whiting Down q Eotel-Mania for Relics.


1Alexandria (Va) Cor. of St. Louis Democrat
We stopped a colored Individual and inqulr-
ed the way to the place where Col. Ellsworth
was killed, and we're informed that the ''MaT-
shall House" was square further on. There
we found it, three-story. brick building, old
and dilapidated, aristocratlc enough, perhaps,
for Virginia as it was, and entirely typlca; 81
the old civilization. At the entrance, S't'ln2
upon the wooden steps was tall, hard-iouk
inc white man in shirt sleeves, surrounded BY
three or four plain people like himself
As an excuse for entering the house, we IN
ouired the way to the bar, ;" and were direct
ed bv the first mentioned individual to pass
through the office turn TO the lett and 60 down
stairs. As we left the Office and passed into
the hall, we at once recognized the scene OF Tue
murder. from the pictures we had seen III the
pctorial weekes ut the time OF the sad cataS-
| trophe. We found the tail Individual in shirt
sleeves 10 be A. II. Ghcen, the proprietor OF
the hotel, who has been running the machine
since the spring of 1862. Mr.. Gheen kindly
took US through the whole house, and showed
| rs various evidences of the recent CIVIL war.
For long time Mr. Gheen was excessively
| ANNOYED by visitors, nearly every one OF whom
wanted something or other to take away as L
| relic He has had the stairway bannlsters,
mouldipgs, washboards and flooring repaired
| throughout the house twice, on account or
visitors whiting away the wood to carry OF as
reIics Of the place. Since the last repairing
we we're shown further evidences Of this desire
to secure some memorial. Many OF the new
bannister rails are whitfield away to kite sticks,
and about half the cornice and washboard have
disappeared. Even the steps have been cut
into, and in some places pieces OF the paster-
ing which is believed to have been rubbed by
the shoulder of Ellsworth as he tell. MIR.
Gheen told US he assures people that that
| which they take away was recently placed
there, and was never touched by ELLSWORTH:
but it will not satisfy the rapaclty OF the relic
seeker. In a short time, even at the present
rate Of whiting, the bannsters and rails wi!
have to be renewed
The lag-staf which Ellsworth ordered to be
cut down is still kept in the house, but the tiag
was carried away by the L0uayes. The floor
stained by Ellsworth blood Vas cut away long
ago, ard that which took its place was dsap-
nearing so RAPIDLY that the landlord had TO be
instantly On hand to prevent the complete
disturbances of his house. In order to save
his building, he told Us that he took the rem
nants of old boards, corhice, rails. and bannIs-
tiers, and cut item nto small pieces, which lie
besnle AIRED with beef blood. Visitors were sat
isfied with this stuff as long as it lasted, and
the new banniser rails are now a curious spec
tace, suffering as they ito from the attack Of
many knives. The room on the second llo0T,
out of which Jackson stepped when he shot
| Ellsworth, who was dc;cendlnG from The THIRD
| story was also shown u, as WAS door, now
permanently closed, through which Jackson
| Intended 10 escape if he had not been prevented
| tv Sergeant liroWncli. In this room large
pieces Of rlastering aud wood have also been
carried off Of late there have DOT been 50
many visitors, and Mr. Gheen Is IN hopes that
| he will be lett to enjoy whatever profit lie can
rnuD 10 Keeping Il first class loyal hotel without
| the constant intrusion o! sight ,e1ra and relic
hunters We took the hinG, and did not stay
| long, nor did We white away an portion OF
| the stairway.
THE Polish Colony "A month ago We
We're chctrtd with thu. intelligence that our
deserving Polish friend. were getting along
comfortably. II il therefore with the more
regret that We now chronicle the fact that the
drought has destroyed all their fair antIclpa
tons and that help from tIo,c who have been
| blessed with the latter a. we'll The early a!n,
must be extended, want VIII salute the
| households OF those ia! away from 'lalhcllaini,
and without the power ol le ping themselves.
Their corn crop has been burnt up hear
potatoes, on which they largely relied have
also been cut short hy Ihr pr"trarhd drought
in their Immediate vicinity Wheat they had
none, As they came to SI.oi:Ylvana i"n laIc I"
seed last year.
They snbsiscA last winter, and up to The
present on rations furnished from al outside
| source. but this too ceases the present Inonth.
Truly they are a distressed people, and their
situation calls loudly for help from the phIIan
throric. Fredericksburg Ur"hL
| TnROuGH TRAINS FROM WELDON 10 AQUA