Middletown transcript., 1876-03-18
MDDLEowN DELAWARE, SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH IS, 1876

s occasional-very occasional-donation
from visitors. the place was kept unit
: the war began. A
The government then found it expe
dent to take the boat. and Mount Yer
non was in kind of blockade for mor'
than three years; and, but for the good
ness Of the treasurer, Mr.. Riggs. the
ladies would have been obliged to give
up their charge, to keep their superin.
tendent and few laborers. from star.
vation. Mr. Riggs took our Virginia
bonds. gave us par value for them, and
encouraged as to hold on.
| After the war was over, Congress
paid US s.. 900 (seven thousand) as in.
deni6cation for loss to the Association
in taking the boat. &c. This money
was Immediately used in new roo6ngs,
and such expensive repairs as had
hitherto been out of their power, for
want of funds. By the request Of Miss
Cuuuipgbam, the work was superin-
tended by an officer appointed byiCon-
gress. The $1,000 was sufficient also
to prepare and secure the mansion
against fire. The banquetipg hall was
repaired and painted and the floor Gov
cred with oilcloth. from this $1,000.
The employees at Mount Vernon are
organized as fire company, and regu-
Iarly drilled by the Superintendent,
Col Hollingsworth
The Vice Regents from each State
meet annually at Mount Vernon. in
June, their accommodation being least
expensive at that season. They are met
and assisted by the Governor Of Vir-
ginia, and a committee Of gentlemen
appointed by him as an Advisory Board
look into our accounts and give Us coun-
sell for the coming year. The constitu-
-tion Of the Ladies' Association provides
that if they fail to keep their trust
properly. Mount Vernon reverts to Vir-
ginia. -
The sources of revenue forth sup
port Of Mount Vernon are first and
chiefly. the boat. which, in open weather,
is very profitable, the sale Of canes.
photographs and flowers, and at the
council Of June, 1874, the janitor's
wife was authorized to have ready.
daily, for visitors by the boat, table
of such refreshments as the place affords.
fruits, ice-creams, coffee, milk. &C., at
moderate prices.
There is an endowment fund. which
at present amounts to 1880. The as
sociation earnestly hope the people will
give to this fund it explains and re-
commends itself. Delaware should hare
a hand IN this. a
The employees at Mount Vernon are
gentleman Superin tendent, Col. Hol-
lingsworth, who resides there at sal
ary of $1,000 year; a gardner.
janitor, who is. with bis wife. one Of
the old Washington stock of servants.
and W laborers necessary ia, raise
corn and potatoes. to help the gardener
in keeping the grounds in order, and
look after three or four COWS, some pigs,
and few mules, which is all the stock |
the association owns they have not yet
felt able to keep horse.
There were seventeen rooms in the |
Washington Mansion. all of which we're
unfurpished and desolate, when, through |
the Ladies' Association. it became the
possession Of the people Of. the United
States. A few articles of furniture
have been procured by some of the
Vice Regents Of different States, and
placed in the parlors; but the halls,
library and bedrooms are waiting to be
furnished and when the Vice Regents
meet there every year. and they are
obliged to hire from Washington city,
beds and such things as are necessary
for their use, while they attend to the
business of their charge. 1t was deter
mined at the meeting Of the council in
June, 1875, that the thirteen original
States should furnish thirteen of the
rooms. and it should be done before the
opening Of the Centennial. at Philadel |
phia, that foreigners. as we'll as our
own citizens, shall not find the home
where Washington lived and died, and
lies buried, empty and cheerless. For
Delaware to furnish, was allotted the
smallest bedroom on the second floor
Of the main building 1t is to have the
State coat-of-arms placed over the door,
,ud to be known ss the /" Delaware
Room" 1t should be furnished with
every suitable thing, Of the best quality.
Or the State will not be true to her
'ecurd If there should be contributed
nore than enough to furnish this room,
be surplus will be added to the eudow-
nent fund, and duly accounted for to
he donors
Delawareans. who feel pride in this ,
'bject, are requested to enable the Vice 4
Regent of the State, Mrs Margaret A. II
lomegys, of Dover, to furnish this },
oom before the 1st of May.