Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-08-05
Washington at Morristown
FIrom. tAe CIereland Leader.

Morristown, n. j., is a town of about
5000 population, lying among the Orange
Mountains, within thirty-tOur miles OF
New York. 1t is a very old town, having
been founded about the year 1900, and its
streets are lined with widespread ding elms,
whose great gnarled trunks remind one of
the trees of New Haven. II was here
that Washington had his headquarters
during a great part OF the revolutionary
war, and the old tavern where he was in
iUiated into the mysteries of Freemasonrv
has been lately moved TO the foot of the
hills on which his army was encamped,
and it Is now being fitted up for country
boarding house. 1t was in this hotel
that Washington, Hamilton and Thigh
man had their offices. They tell story
of WashngtOn's GOODNESS in time of dan
ger which reminds one much OF the stories
told of Grant in this regard. 1t was at a
dinner at this hotel. The meal was over
and number Of the younger officers were
discussing the wine and walnuts in the
dining room, when an alarm that the
British were coming was given. One of
the guests became very much eXcited and
rushed out into the entry and yelled,
where's the General? Where's the Cen
eralr Washington was coming down
stairs at the time. He met the young
man, heard his excited story, and in mod
crate tones said: "Be quiet, young man,
be quiet" ashington's headquarters
were afterward in fine brick
mansion located on mill near
the village, and having an outlook
over large part Of the surrounding
country. This is now kept in the same
style as 1t was during his occupancy. 1t
is filed with the furniture of colonial
days and has many of the relics of Wash
ington and other colonial statesmen. Not
long ago the directors of the headquarters
were very anxious to get a cooking ket-
tie. such as was used at the time Of the
revolution, and they hunted everywhere
within range or 100 miles, but in vain.
At last they found one under their very
noses. it belonged to an old lady OF Nor
rlstowD, and she very kindly gave it TO
them. They received it In the afternoon
and 700 late to take it to the headquarters.
They priced it 80 highly that fearing that
something might happen TO it. they de-
posited 1t that night in a bank vault, and
the next day took it out and hung It upon
the crane in the old-fashoned chimney.
Speaking of Washlngton's cooking, during
a large part Of his residence at Norris
town money was very scarce and good
victuals not less 40. Washington's house
keeper was an rish woman, a Mrs. Dhomp-
son. She came to the General one day
and said that she mad nothing but the or
binary soldiers ratiOns left. Upon Wash
ington's telling her that he had no money
she asked for an order for six bushels Of
salt, with which she said she wanted to
preserve fresh beef. The salt was given
to her. and the next day Washington's
table was supplied with a meal tit for a
king. The Irish woman was sent for, and
Washington told her that she had done
very wrong in expanding her own money
for his food, and that he was not sure that
he could repay her. She then told him
that she had sold her salt for provisions,
and that as salt was worth IS a bushel she
had done very we'll with it.