The Arkansaw traveler., 1884-01-12
MRS. wAsHrhoron.s CRAVE.
New york Telegram.


 The grave of Washington's mother al Fredericksburg, Va 1, is unkeps, neglected and the hvorise resort of relic hunters who mutilate the partially completed monument and deface the grave with inn punity. Mrs. Washington selected dur ing her life the spot where she wished to be buried. It was west from the house in which she lived, just on the edge of this city. within the corporate limits, on the Kenmore estate, now owned by W. Key Howard. of Maryland, owned at the tune of her death by her son-in-law, Colonel Fielding Lewis, from whose hands i, passed into possession of the Gordon family. Jus, where the Kenmore place begins to slope down on every side to the valley below is the grave, commanding a pretty view ot the upper edge of the to~n. of the valley up toward the dam. ot the stafford hills and of the nights of Fred ericksburg, including the now famous Maye's nights. Scuthward few hun dred yards IS the confederate cemetery, and from the hill beyond Marye's nights, now the national cemetery, the flag of the republic her son saved looks down upon Mary WAshingion's grave.
 To the left of the monument as you face northwes, IS a private graveyard of small size, surrounded by brick wall. This Is the last resting place of many of the Gordoas A few oaks and aspen trees shade the sacred spot, The monumen, was commenced by NIT. Silas Burrows, a wealthy merchant of Ne~ York. and all that has ever been expended on II was gwen by him. IL has never been com pleted Near the unfinished monumen, lies an enormous cone. shaped piece ot marble that w..s to have been the oap- stone. SO 10 speak, of the monument IL never was put on top of its place, and lies half buried m the ground, sad spectacle of wasted efforts The monu- men, IS square, the base large and mass i've. surmounted by similar square oi solid marble blocks. buils m imitation of temple. the four sides being ornamcn,ed with two fiuted columns. each of marble l, is sadly defaced The marble columns arc thrown down, broken. and some of them have been carried away.
 The corners arc clipped and broken Bullet. shot and pencil have helped m the dishguration. Grass and weeds crown the summit. and here Il stands, Il fitting emblem oi the futiliiy oi human hopes. aspirations and works. The foundation of the monumen, was lald on May .. IS3S. In digging for the foundation the coffin was exposed. lt was of black walnut. IL had decayed and fallen apart. exposing the bones of Mrs. Washington. It's said that one relic hunt ing citizen, NIT. Anthony Buck, secured one of 'he finger bones. and that for years he showed l, as curiosity. The corner stone was laid on ,he seventh of May. ISiS amid grand civic and mili- ltary display in the presence of the pres ident, Andrew Jackson. IL was on his way to attend this ceremony that l-ieuten- ant Randolph, of the navy, pulled the presidents nose. have talked with a gentleman who was present when the president addressed the people from Doc tor Wallace's house on Main street He tells me that an old negro man. George White by name, vender of cakes and fruits, pressed up close to Jackson and called out, Bress yer heart, honey did dey hurt yer nose:n
 old Hickory looked like gamecock as he he drew himself up. his eyes flash ing. and his white, bristly hair. standing straight up, and thundcred out. !" No. by the Eternal