Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1872-11-21
General Lafayette's Watch.

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31st gives the following account of the
watch given by the great Washington
to Lafayette, which was lost for forty
eight years, and discovered in Louis
vile Junk Shop:
1t is doubtless within the recollection
of many in this city that in the year
1924 Gen. Lafayette made a tour of this
country, attended by such an ovation as
offered perhaps the grandest spectacle
of nations tribute to hero the world
has ever seen. During his tour, while
on visit to some town in the State of
Tennessee, the General was mysterious
ly robbed of his watch, valued souv-
enir, which had been presented to him,
in 17Sl, by Gen. George Washington,
to commemorate at once the affection
ate relations which had long existed be-
tween them, and his gallant services at
the siege of Yorktown, the crowning
event in the struggle for American in
dependence. Directly upon the rob-
berry becoming known, most strenuous
efforts were made for its recovery, but
despite the fact that the Governor of
Tennessee offered a reward of one thous-
and dollars for its return, not the slight
est trace of it was thereafter obtained,
and Gen. Lafayette was eventually
compelled to return to France, resigned
to the thought that the precious gift of
his dear friend was lost to him forever.
The years passed on, and with their
lapse mems recollection of the circum-
stances faded away. Lafayette died in
1884, and for a space of forty-eighty
years the stolen watch bore an unknown
history. At the end of that time, but a
few days ago, a gentleman residing in
this city, while visiting Louisville, at
tended an auction sale at junk shop,
where, strange to relate, he found among
the articles offered a watch which, upon
examination, he discovered to be the
lOng-lost watch of Lafayette.
Suffice it to say that he eagerly pur-
chased it, and quickly formed the reso-
luton to transmit it to the family of
Gen. Lafayette, now residing in Paris,
pending which transmission, however,
the gentleman has brought it to his
home, and has consented to its exhibi-
ton for few days at Z. \. Tyler's
iewelry store, on Canal street.
The watch is open-faced, of gold, with
a double case, and may be remarked as
of peculiar appearance, being of only
ordinary size, but nearly as thick as it
is wide. The outer case bears upon its
entire surface carved figures, in bas re-
lief, representing the picture of Mars
offering Il crown to the Goddess of
Peace, who is surrounded by her en-
blems, while over all appear the stern
implements of war, hung high out of
reach. On the inner case appears the
yet clearly legible inscription:
SC. Washington
To
| Gilbert Matters de Lafayette.
Lord CORVALLIS Capitulation,
Yorktown,
Decb'r II, 11Sl."
On the covering of the works is seen
the makers name-E. Halifax, London,
1853.
One can believe that the sight of this
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lections clustering about 1t, is well fit
ted to awaken host of recollections,
carrying ones Imagination over the
bridge of nearly a century; to the time
when the two dead and gone hero
friends stood side by side, carving out
their glorious names and fame, which
to-day shine through the long vista OF
years with lustre that can never fade