The Van Buren press., 1875-11-02
University of Virginia-Aontice.lo-
Funeral of Thomas Jefferson Ran.
dolph, Etc.

dolph, Etc.
Below We publish an extract from letter
dated 18th October. 1875, written by Jesse
Turner Jr., now at the University OF Vir-
glnia:
l visited Monticello last Saturday week
The visit derived additional intcres, from the
fact that on that day Col Thomas Jefferson
Randolph WIS buried there.
| This gentleman WAS son Of Gov. Randolph
and only grandson Of Thomas jefferson
whose sole executor he was and to whom the
private and public papers ofthe ex President
were int listed. Except to occupy the posi-
tion of temporary chairman of the Greeley
convention held in Baltimore in 1872 he lived
quiet life in the A1bermarle valley, where
he published four volume. of his grand faith
ef's works. Out OF respect to his memory no
lectures were delivered at the University on
Saturday; and nearly the entire faculty at
tended the services at the church and also at
Monticello. went in company with about
half dozen others. Instead of pursuing the
regular carriage road, we went along the rail
road which skirts the base of the mountain
and then made our way up its steep side to
the top. Before reaching the summit the
conviction grew on me that the cello was not
very appropriate, for it was a considerable
task to climb it The house, which is going
to rack somewhat. presents striking appear
ance from the exterior. The outline is very
Npiding seems to be but
y. "a. ,.t.sfanc.. but On en-.
tering, i found il to be two; which, in certain
portions of the house was, by means OF domes
increased to three. You first enter hall ex-
tending upwards the whole height of the
house. Two thirds of the way up is a semi
circular gallery, where, it is said. the musi-
clans were stationed on great occasions This
hall, which is inlaid with various colored
woods, contains a bust of jefferson and a GU
rious weight clock, whose dial is placed In the
wall. We were shown the ladder which the
great man Is said to have mounted whenever
he adjusted the weights of the time piece.
These weights are formed from Revolution
ary cannon balls, and on the wall is a scale
marked with the days of the week and so ar
ranged that by referring to the weights the
is the parlor and several other rnnms al fa--
ished oil with stucco work. The other floors
&the ascent to which is rendered difficult on
account of the narrow and winding stairway
contain only bed rooms and the octagon ball
room with its little dressing rooms The
sleeping apartments did not contain bed
stead', but in place of these are reccsses in the
wall which were formerly fitted up as couch
es. Having made an examination ofthe inte-
rlor we emerged after paying the sum of
twenty-five cents each for examining the
house. On reaching the opposite side. | was
struck by the similarity in general plan be-
tween Monticello and the University. The
same columns and arches and arcades, which
are produced on srander scale there, found
their model here. About three hundred ward,
from here is the burial ground and last rest-
Ing place of Jeflerson. On this occasion. we
found many there attending the funeral of
the grandson as well as those visiting the
grave of the grandfather One of the ,nost
impressive features of the burial were the ex-
ereises by the cid family servants of the de-
ceased These TO the number of about forty
gathered around, and then one of their mum
Der repeated a verse in remarkable chanting
tone, Wh'eli was taken up by the rest and
when the melody rose fun and clear npon til.
clear nonnt.in air, thought it the most SOL
emn-almost unearthly scene that had ever
witnessed. The grave of jefferson is marked
by pyramidal-shapcd stone. on which the
only inserip ion is " Born April 2 l743 70.
y, tnl I,,1, t,I
thing preceding this but it has been entirely
removed by some vandals. | was told that
two separate marble monuments had been
erected to him here by the State, but that
they had been carried away piece-meaI by
relie-huntrrs. Indeed, the pyramid now stand
ing will soon be cone. for there is scarcely
an angle to be found; and suppose that, in
time, 1t too will crumble away before the re-
morseless chisel. | inclose a little plant of
some kind which | pluckcd from the grave
There is magnificent view from Monticello
1t seems almost illimitable; and. north.
east south. west, it is bounded only by the
horizon Immediately below us. wound like
asilver thread the beautiful little river Riyan-
na-Charlottesville spread out like map Law
at our feet, while a little farther removed was
the University of Virginia looking, with its
vermilion dome, lofty columns and long lines
OF arcades like some fair city in the plain. |
VIII not nave room To say much of the Uni
versity in this letter. am delighted with it
however. There are five students
here from Arkansas that | know Of though
there may he moTc. They are, Conway and
Rose of Little Rock, two Hughes from Tulip
and myself
-Austin Martin 4 Mari La.. IL