Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1875-12-29
WESTINGHOUSE SKELETON.


A Pitt-burg Patriot Who Wants Il Exhibited
mt the Centennial In order TO kaise Funds
TO Compiete the National Monument.
Joseph Mulhattan whose suggestion
relative to exhibiting the bones OF Gen.
Washington at the Centennial, for the
purpose of raising funds to complete
the national monument, has given him
a national reputation, does not seem to
be discouraged in his efforts. He has
written the following letter to the Pitts
burg Chronicle, dated Washington,
December IL:
If there is anything on the globe OF
greater interest to an American patriot
than visit to Washington's tomb, at
Mount Vernon, we would like to hear
of it. We left Pittshurg few days
since, and after seeing few of the at
fractions of the beautiful city, we felt
it would be pleasant to visit the tomb
of Washington. Now trip down the
Potomac is by no means unpleasant.
The sun was shining brightly as our
steamer, the Arrow, sped on its way
down the beautiful river. The scenery
along its banks is simply lovely, while
every foot of the land figures promi
nently in the history of our country.
On the way down we passed Fairfax
Court House, Fort Foote, and Fort
Washington. In two hours we arrived
at Mount Vernon, and were conducted
over the grounds by the gentlemanly
Superintendent, Colonel Hollingsworth,
who explained everything to us in an
shown the tomb of Westinghouse
plain brick structure, with a door of
round bar iron, through which We could
almost touch bis sarcophagus The re-
mains were removed to this tomb from
the old one in 1881. The skeleton at
that time was perfect, but had no flesh
on 1t. The skin had shrunk to the
bones, making solid, compact mass,
which is thought to be as perfect to-day
as 1t was then. This information ] re-
ceived from an intelligent colored man,
who has been on the farm for thirty
years, and was a slave on it since boy
hood, until freed by Lincoln's emarci-
patton proclamation.
He was the property of the late John
A. Washington, who was killed during
the late war. Washington had hun
dred slaves, who had excellent quarters
and were treated in very kindly man
ner. Many of the old houses in the
servants quarter are just as they were
IN the days Of Washington. His old
smoke-house is closed up just as he left
it. The roof is green and weather
worn. Great care is taken In repairing
to preserve the forms of everything.
We were shown the room Washington
died IN, also the room occupied by Mrs.
GA ho1,
1t Is the worst room In the house.
being In the attic. but from its window is
seen the tomb of Washington. Into this
room no one but favorite servant and a
pet cat was admitted. Mrs. Washing
ton had hole cut in the bottom of the
door in order that Tabby might come
and go as she pleased. The door with
the hole IN it is just as Mrs. Washington
left It. We ate an excellent lunch in
Washington's kitchen. It consisted of
cold ham and turkey, with good bread
and milk, all of which was produced
on the farm. People from all parts of
the world eat in this kitchen every day.
The memory of Washington will GER
tainly be perpetuated by this custom.
We must here close our letter for
this time. But we will have more to
write upon this interesting subject in a
few days. We visited the tomb for the
purpose of ascertaining if it were pos
slble to procure the remains and relics
for the Centennial, and from what in
formation we have we think it is possl-
ble. will have more to say in my
next letter in regard to this matter.
Very respectfully,
JOSEPH MULHATTAN.