The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1872-05-08
The Stories About Miss Cunningham

A correspondent of the -NeW York
World thus disposes of the stories pub
lished respecting the regent Of the
Mount Vernon Ladies' Association.
The correspondent says:
Recent sensational stories about the
imposing style in which the regent of
the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association
lives, her retinue of. servants, and ele-
CANT eqrlipage, aroused the curiosity not
only of the Tallapoosa passengers, but OF
the unusually large number of eXcur-
sionists who, moved by the hope of see
ing the Japanese embassy, had gone to
Mount Vernon in the usual manner by
the daily steamer. So the retinue Of
servants was duly inspected, and there
was no little disappointment at seeing
come FOUR or five .darkies, including
farm hands, attired not in livery, but i'll
loose baggy style Of clothing peculiar to
the Southern male servants. The car
riage used by Miss Cunningham was
next inspected by the self-appointed in
Eestigators. lt-was in keeping with the
old-fashioned mansion, old-teshioned
ssId riekety-a crazy looking vehicle one
would not suppose capable OF keeping
togetherswhile being dragged over the
rough roads between Mt. Vernon anu
Alexandria. -..
Miss Cunningham has for her own use
and that of the lady who is Secretary OF
the Association two rooms, a bed room
of moderate size and sitting room ad-
joining it, Also of moderate G;meusioDs.
These rooms are plainly fitted UP with
furniture, every piece Of which has
.seen its best days. The carpets on the
floors are faded and worn. Why Miss
10, |N IN,
Mount Vernon with a solitary compan-
ion in a tumhle-town Old house, in q
lucalityfamuus for malaria, is incompre-
hens;ble to any one who does not under
staud that O sentiment cherished III
youth may beconlsa passion in middle
life, and still encouraged will endure
when all other interests and affections
have died away. Miss Cunningham has
for many years centered her affac-
,ions on Mount Vernon. A SEN
timent of patriotism and a strong feel
ing OF veneration for George Washing
ton led her 10 desire most earnestly that
his home should be preserved as shrine
to which Americans might make pll-
grimages. 1t was she who first origlna-
ted the plan which resulted in its pur-
chase Articles written by her and
signed" "a Southern Matr0n" attracted
great attention by her earnestness iii
advocating the purchase of the Mounts
Vernon estate for the benefit OF the pub
lie. Her energy gave inspiration to the
scheme, and when the property passed
into the possession of the Ladies' AssO-
citation she was appointed regent for
life. She receives 10 salary
but shelter and food. The latter cannot
be very luxurious, as it is chiefly obtain
ed from the produce of the Mount Yer
non farm, which want of means pre-
vents being properly cultivated. 10
keep the Mount Vernon Mansion and
the two hundred acres surrounding 1t
in proper repair as many thousands
should be expended as there are now
hundreds. I am told only about eigh-
teen hundred year is allowed for the
support of the property. Miss Cunnin-
CHAM is q lady past 60 years Of age, q
native of South Carolina, and belongs
to one of the most highly respectable
families Of that State. She has q pri-
vate means, and does not charge the
Mount Vernon Association with her
support. Splconscientious is she as to
the position of trust she holds with re-
gard to taking care Of the estate that
she will allow none OF her friends or
relatives 10 VlSlt DeT al hL. fcfLou, !ioL
considering that she has right to ell
tertain guests there. Hon. II. D. Cooke
Governor of the District, is treasurer Of
the association, and with him are de-
posiIsd all funds accruing to the associ-
alton, whether from the tariff paid by
,excursionists or from occasional contrl-
busions. The revenue is by no means
large at aHy time, $500 being the most
received in any one month, but in the
winter season dwjndles down to mere
nothing Dung the war, when no eX-
cursionists were carried TO Mt. Vernon,
There was, of course, no revenue at all
The discussion of this matter among
the visitors last Saturday brought out
these facts, given bye of the most
highly esteemed Of the vice-regents,
who. was of the party. Miss Cunnin-
Sgham was i'll and unable to see any one
except a few of her more intimate
friends. Her health is at no time very
strong, as may be easily supposed, liv-
ing as she does in such an atmosphere
of malaria 49,
sv .''.BLewING FOR THE SETTLEMENT" b"
III organized the first Suuday-school