Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-01-11

as though in love with their home, whis-
pe.ed in the soft night wind.
In the midst of one of these groves
which is still remarkable for its towering
beauty, is situated the Arlington house,"
devoid of any thing like richness or FRO
fuseness of decoration: its simplicity, its
classic and general outlines and dimen-
sions give it an imposing appearance
and grandeur, and its bold front, large
pillars and deep portico (Doric in style,)
is strcking indication of the character
of the man who originated its plan and of
the time in which it was built, as it is
to day startling rebuke and commen-
tary upon the mushroom pigeon-house
architecture Of modern times
The Arlington estate which though
coming through long line of historical
lineage, dates its most interesting tradi-
tionary romance from the period at which
it was taken possession of by George
Washington Parke GUSTS, who was the
son of Col GUSTS, an aid-de-camp of
Washington and the son of Mrs. Wash
ington by a former marriage.
George Washington Parke Gusts was
born at Mount Airy Maryland, in April,
1881, and Immediately after the death
his father. Col GUSTS, who died at the
siege of Yorktown, of camp fever and
when but six months old, was adopted
by Gen. Washington and removed to
its only child and idol
Mr.. Gusts remained at Mount Vernon
until after the death Mrs Washington,
which occurred on the 22nd of May,
1902, and after the death of Gen Wash
ington, which happened little more
than two years previous, had the general
control and supervision of the estate, of
which, on attaining his majority, he was
one of the executors.
Shortly "after the death of hrs. Wash
ington, Mr.. GUSTS commenced the
erection of the Arlington house," and
soon after its completion, at the age of
twenty-threc, was married to Mary Lee
Fitzhugh, lady Of unrivaled beauty,
great force of character, eloquence and
refinement, combined with varied lit
erary accomplishments and enlarged
christian views and virtues.
The rigid surveillance to which Mr..
Gusts was early subjected under Gen.
Washington, the rare advantages to be
derived from the almost daily contact
with the most brilliant minds of the dis
tinguished personages' who enjoyed the
inequalities of Mount Vernon, together
with such u course of study, as the best
institutions Of learning could afford made
deep impression upon his mind, and
; it was only short time after he had
taken up his residence at Arlington,
whilst in possession of every earthly com.
fort and every domestic pleasure. did
{ this early training develop those splendid
qualities of heart and mind which made
/ him the object of love and admiration
{ with every one who knew him.
His reverence and flial devotion tC
Gen. Washington was one of the mos
, beautiful and striking features of hi,
character, regularly as the 4th of July ant
/ 22nd Of February rolled around would h,
proceed to Alexandria or Monnt Vernon
and there crate opon the life and virtue
of the father of his country.
, As an orator, he was the peer of an,
of his contemporaries. His Grafton owe
the funeral soemnities of Gen. james
f NJ Lingan. soldier of the Revolution
/ who was killed by political mob, upor
$ the steps of the City Jail, of Baltimore
! on the 2Sth of July, 1912, occupied I
t prominent place for a long time in tb,
textbooks of the schools and college,
Throughout the country. A writer, speak
D ing Of his effort upon this location says
+ at riveted the attention of the audience
the solemn stiffness which reigned wa:
, only interrupted by signs and tears
We can compare the eloquence of Mr..
3 Gusts with nothing but the supposed
= eloquence of antiquity. His words pos
sess the fire of Demosthenes, and bis
, actions the grace of Cicero. Old war
riors who had almost forgotten how to
weep, felt the stream Of sympathy steal
{ ing down their furrowed cheeks, while
; their deep-scarcd hearts hcaved with cor
, vulsive sobs."
Mr.. GUSTS devoted much Of hia time
and personal supervision to agricultural
pursuits, which accounts for the high
state of cultivation Of the Arlington cs-
tate at the time to which | have alluded.
He was for many years prominent mem
Der of the United States Agricultural
Society, and at one period, one Of the its
Vice-Presidents. Sheep raising was a
pride, and almost at one day speciality,
and the Annual Arlington sheep shear
ing" was always a memorable event, large
numbers Of persons from the neighboring
counties and cities would flock 10 witness
this exhibition. and it Is said that upon
some Of these occasions as high as
twenty thousand persons we're present.
These gatherings always took place the
last Of April or the first Of May around
large spring near the Potomac.
Alr. Gusts never failed to address these
assemblages. and il was here that the FIRST
prizes were given to the competitors Of
sheep or wool in this country
Not alone TO oratory, agriculture or
the political condition Of the country did
Mr. Gusts devote bis attention T; he rev.
eled midst the beautiful, giving much Of
his time TO the careful study Of those
grand old masters whose works adorned
bis sumptuous aud elegant mansion. aud
towards the closing days Of bis life spent
laborious hours in painting scenes Of the
battle fields Of the Revolution. His
library was composed only OF standard