National Republican., 1874-05-09
GREAT EXCITE MENT.
GEORGE WASHINGTON ARRESTED N

CULPEPER-COUNTRY DETECTIVES.
On Saturday last, says the Culpeper Times,
youth oftwenty-one rode into this place upon
the back of very fine sorrel horse, leading
another by the bride. He stopped at the Vir-
ginia hotel, called for quarters for himself and
horses, and registered as George Washington.
- George was without baggage, rough in appear
anee, somewhat seedy looking and very dirty.
Suspicion was at once aroused, and the question
asked how such a man could be the owner of
two such fine animals. Almost at the instant
e of his arrival, there followed q postal card
from GordonsVille stating that Washington
had passed through that place and great sus-
picion had attached to him while there, and
for our authorities to keep sharp lookout for
him.
The officials and "mine host" of the Viz
glnia had consultation, and concluded TO in
terView the youth. George gave a very discon-
nected account of himself, and told such q
rambling tale that they concluded 10 put him
under arrest until some further information
q could be secured. Accordingly q guard was
procured and Washington made prisoner, and
the Office of the hotel designated as his jail, as
our venerable city father had too much respect
for the name of the Father of our Country to
confne bin in a prison cell. During the long
Sabbath day that followed, George sat undis-
turbed in his quiet corner, and dozsd, and
doZed, and dOzed, without a murmur of COM
plant. The news had spread that q horse
thief had been captured aud was a prisoner at
the hotel.
The citizens all called to see the captive.
The old men looked wise, and with an ominous
shake of the head deplored the iniquity OF the
rising generation; the younger ones discussed
the qualities of hemp, and thought what q
= splendid figure George would cut suspended in
the air. The officers were full Of smiles and in
merry mood, for the prospect of large re-
ward made them happy. kilograms had been
sent to all the neighboriI4g counties and au-
swers requested without delay, but the day
passed and no answers came. Suspicion grew
Stronger as the night approached, and the-ver-
dict of the people was almost unanimous that
George Washington was q desperate villain"
At 10 O'Clock p. N. the prisoner was aroused
from his gentle slumber, the guard was dou-
bled over him, and he was marched off to bed,
and he slept and snored all the live long night
as no wicked man had ever slept before.
When the bell for breakfast summoned the
boarders, he was aroused by his guard,
marched TO the table, partook Of hearty
breakfast, and seemed to enjoy the situation
hugely. About 10 o'clock q. m. Monday, the
Iong-looked-for answer came over the wires
and said, "Geo. Washington is the lawful
owner of the horses and is all right" About
that time the citizens, officers and all STAN
peded, everybody recollected that they had
BONE urgent business to attend to, and scat
tered iu q hurry.
George Washington ordered his horses, gaily
mounted his sorrel, and with pleasant smile
ON his countenance tipped his old beaver to
,t'mins host" snd few gentlemen present, and
with an afFectionate "Ta-tar," struck q bee
line for the Pennsylvania border.