The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1872-11-07
cEyEHALLaFAYETrE's WATCH
The GIFT Of the Great Washington
Lost FOrty-pight Years ana Dis
covered In u LauisviIie JunR Shop.

Lost Forty-pixht Years and Dis
covered In LauisviIie JunR Shop.
From the n. o. Times, October 81
1t is doubtless within the recollection
Of many in this city that in the year
1924, General LAFAYETTE made tour OF
this country, attended BY such an ova-
ton 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
mysteriously 'bbed Of his watch, a
valuable souvenir, which had cen pre-
eenred to him lin l7Sl) by General
George Washington to comm'mora
at once the affectionate relations which
had long existed between them, and his
gallant services at the siege OF York
town, the browning event OF the suug-
gle for American independence. d.
rectlv upon the robbery becoming
known, most strenuous efforts were
made Cor it, recovery, bat, despite the
fact that the Governor of Tennessee
offered a reward OF one thousand dol.
lars TOR its return, not the slig htes'
trace o. it WAS thereafter obtained, and
General Latayelte was eventually COM
pelled to return to France, resigned 10
the thought that the precious gift OF his
dear friend was lost to him forever
The wears passed on, and with their
lapseLren's recollection OF the circum-
stance faded away. Lafayette died in
1884, and for q space OF forty eight
wears the stolen watch bore an unknown
history. At the end of that time, but
a lew days ago, a gentleman residing 10
this city, while visiting Louisville, at
tended an auction sale at a junk shop,
where, strange to relate. he found
among the articles offered watch
which, upon examination, he discovered
to he the long-lost watch Of Lafayette.
Suffice it TO cay that he eagerly pur-
chased it, and as quickly formed the
resolution to transmit it to the family
of General Lafayette, now residing in
Paris, pending which Transmission,
however, the gentleman has brought 1t
to his home, and has consented to its
exhibition tor a few days at f A. Ty-
ler's iewelrv store, on Canal street.
The watch is open faced, Of gold,
with a double case, and may BE- re-
marked as OF a 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 relief, representing the
picture OF Mars offering u crown to the
Goddess OF Peace, who is surrounded BY
her emblems, while over all appear the
stern implements OF war, hung high
out OF reach. On the inner case ap-
pears the yet clearly legible inscription
&c. Washington 6
Gilbert Matters de Lafayette.
Lord Corn wallis Capitulation,
Yorktown,
Decb'r Il, $751;"
On the covering of fireworks is seen
the makers name-E. Hall ak, Lon.
don, 1889.
One can believe that the sight OF this
relic, with it's host o. historical recollec.
tons clustering about it, is we'll fitted to
awaken a host Of reflections. and carry
ones imagination over the bridge of
nearly century, to the time when the
two dead and gone hero friends stood
side by eide, carving out their glorious
names and fame, which to-day shine
through the long vista Of years with a
Il l.