Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-06-06
TOMB.
Interesting History-How Mount
Vernon was Saved,

specEM correspondence OF the lNTER-OCEAN,
WASHINGTON, May 30.-This is a fa-
vorite season for a visit to Mount Ver-
non. The quaint old homestead is even
lovelier now than in midsummer. The
association of ladies who manage the
Washington estate have been in annual
session there for mor than a week, and
the steamer which phys the Potomac
daily between this city and the tomb of
Washington has been crowded with pill
grims. 1t was in 1858 that Col. John
Washington saw that Mount Vernon
would have to go by the auctioneer's
hammer if something could not be done
to save it, and here comes in the 10.
nance of Mount Vernon. A woman
who had beena confirmed invalid from
girlhood raised a fund of 100000 and
embodied a plan which gave the home
and tomb of George Washington to the
nation. This was Miss Cunningham, of
South Carolina. She had visited the
spot in her childhood, and when COM
PEELED to give up all of life except that
which could be enjoyed in q sick room,
the pro ect of buying Mount Vernon in
splred her. 1t was a singular instance
OF energy and perseverance. From her
sick bed she aroused an enthusiasm, es-
pecially among Southern women, which
resulted in a splendid success. Edward
Everett caught her enthusiasm, and his
lecture on Washington, delivered in diff
fcrent cities, brought money to the
Mount Vernon fund. She interested
Madame LIE Vert and Mrs. Cora Mowatt
Ritchie, and in 1860 her work had been
accomplished; the house, the tomb, the
farm of Washington, including 200 acres
Of land, belonged to national %associa-
ton. The legislature of Virginia grant
ed a charter to the association in per-
petuity, and no disposition of the prop
erty Il be made without the consent of
the legislature. None of the Washing
ton family were afterwards inferred at
Mount Vernon. The key of. the vault
was thrown into the Potomac river.
Within the brick vault there are two
marble tombs, those of George and
Martha Washington. One looks at them
through open iron work, and chats Off
is the rule at the grave. Around these
marble tombs is a wooden flooring, which
If stepped upon starts an electric alarm
at the house. During the bloodiest DAYS
of the war, Mount Vernon was treated
as neutral ground, and soldiers of both
armies met under the trees that over
hang the tomb.
The different states each have charge
Of Il room, so far as the rooms in the old
mansion hold out in number. The lady
managers are called regents, and the
regent of each state has been instrument
tai in having its DON restored and re-
furnished us nearly as possible in the
style that prevailed at Mount Vernon
|dvring Gen. Washington's lifetime,
Many of his original articles of furniture
have been gathered up and placed there
again and many relics of revolutionary
times may be seen III the various rooms.
Hanging i'll the entrance hall is the key
of the bastile sent to Washington by LII
Fayette, and over the door of the dining
room is Washing toms field glass, said to
have been hung on its peg by his own
hand and never since removed. The
curious marble hearth and mantel in
the dining room were sent f1om France.
On the way, the ship bearing the gift
was captured by pirates. When they
found the marble wa intended forNash-
lngton, they landed it on the American
shore. In a little drawing room is the
harpischord almost as large rs a modern
piano. which Washington gave to Nellie
Gusts us a wedding present. The attic
room which Martha Washington occu-
pied after Gen. Washington's death, be-
cause it commanded a view of his tomb,
is in almost the identical condition in
which she left it.
Only one boat is allowed to land sight
seers at Mount Vernon. The round
trip fee of Il dollar foots up handsomely
at the end OF n year. In the past year
$4,000 persons have visited the place.
The green houses are also y source of
revenue, a few flowers being a favorite
relic of the spot. There is some COM
plant that the managers of Mount Yer
non make too much money, and that
they do not spend'thei revenues wisely.
However that may be, it costs consider
able to keep the estate up in its present
condition. During the coming year ex-
tensive repairs will have to be made on
the roof and foundations of the house,
the tomb is to be drained and a new
wharf made, involving in all an outlay
of about $4,000. The regents say they
do not mind unkind criticisms for the
fact that the place was never before so
attractive. never so much visited.