Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-01-15
WAsHINGTON's BONES.
A Visit to his Tomb-The Remains
In t'COmpact Mass.''-The Old
Washington farm.
From the Pittsblrg Cbronicle I

From the Pittsburg Chronicle
Joseph Muliatton, whose sugges.
tion relative to exhibiting the bones
of Washington at the Centennial, fol
the purpose of raising funds to com
plete the national monument, has
given him national reputation, does
not seem to be discouraged in his eff.
forts. We have received the follow
ing from him:
WASHINGTON, ID. G..
EDITOR CHRONICLE III there is
anything on the globe of greater in
terest to an American patriot thar a
visit to Washington's tomb, at Mt.
Vernon, we would like to hear of it.
We left Pittsburg few days since,
and, after seeing few Of the a.trac-
tions of this beautiful city, we felt it
would be pleasant to visit the tomb
of Washington. Now, a trip down
the Potomac is by no means unpleas-
ant. The sun was shining brightly
as our steamer, the Arrow, sped on
its way down the beautiful river.
The scenery along it's banks is simply
lovely, while every foot of the land
figures prominently in the history of
our country. On our way down we
pGssedFalrfax courthouse,F Fort Foote
aud Fort Washington. In two hours
we arrived at Mt. Vernon, and were
conducted over the grounds by the
gentlenanly superintendent, Colonel
HOllingsworth, who explained every
thing to US in an able and satisfactO-
ry manner. We were shown the
tomb of Washington, a plain brick
structure, with door Of round bar
iron, through which we could almost
touch his Sarcophagus. The remains
were removed TO this tomb from the
old one in 1887. The skeleton al
that time was perfect, hut had no
flesh on it. The skin had shrHnk to
the bones, making solid, compact
mass, which is thought to be as per-
feet to-day as then. This lnforma-
tion l received from all intelligent
colored man, who has been on the
farm for thirty years, and was a slave
on it since boyhood, until freed by
Lincoln's emancipation proclamation.
He was the property Of the late
John A. Washington, who was killed
during the late war. Washington
had a hundred slaves, who had ex-
cellent quarters, and were treated in
a very kindly manner. Many of the
old houses in the servants quarters
are just as they were in the DAYS of
Washington. His old smoke-house
is closed 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.
after her husbands
death. 1t is the worst room in the
house, being in the attic. but from
its windows is seen the tomb of
Into this room no one
but favorite servant and pet cat
we're admitted. Mrs. Washington
1ad hole cut in the bottom of the
door in order that Ta6bv might come
md go as she pleased. The door with
he hole i'll it is just as Mrs. Washing
on left it. We ate an excellent
unch in Washington's Kitchen. 1t
of cold ham and turkey,
With good bread and milk all of
which was produced on the farm.
'eople from all parts of the world !
at i'll this Kitchen every day. The
of Washington will certain
y be perpetuated by tins custom.
We must here close our letter for
his time. But we will have more 10
write upon this interesting subject i'm
few days. We visited the tomb for
he purpose of ascertaining if it was
possible to procure the remains aud |
elics for the Centennial, and from |
What information we have, we think |
ia DOsSible will have mora RI |
ay IN my next letter i'll regard to
his matter. Very respectfully,
JOSEPH MULHATroN.