The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-06-19
VALLEY FORGE Is FOR SALE.

viii Congress Purchase wasbington's His
torio Camping Grounde
Philadelphia News: The historic Mills OF
Valley Forge, famous as the coign of
vantage of Gen Washington and his army
during their encampment in the winter of
l777-7S, comprising some 100 acres, are al
present lying unattended by the least In
terest on the part of patriotic Americans.
waiting 10 be purchased by either the
government OF q syndicate desirous OF con-
verting the grounds into a summer resort
10 commemoratiOn Of the part the valley
contributed towards the making of Ameri-
can history.
The grounds, from a historical view, are
well worth governmental attention, and q
bill may be presented 70 col gress by some
aspiring representative to have an apprO-
prlatlOn made 10 purchase the land, with
the view OF preserving the many RevOlu-
uOnary relics that are still intact on the in
teTestIng domain.
II may be safely said that Valley Forge
was the key 70 the country" as Washing
ton, In taking refuge In those friendly hills,
saved his army from complete annihila-
ton after the disastrous battles of Wayne,
PAoli and Chadd's Ford.
The British, when finding the worthy
general safely enscOnced, retreated 10
their headquarters in Philadelphia, burn
ing on their route the ''velley tOrge,r from
which the Chester county village received
the name.
The "valley forge" one of the earliest
rolling mills IN the colonies, was situated
near the mouth Of the East Valley creek,
and is Supposed to have been erected some
time prior 20 1861 by Stephen Evans. IL
was rebuilt at the close of the war by
David and Isaac Potts. The remnants OF
the old mill dam can still be seen when the
creek is at low water.
The remains of Fort Washington, which
possess considerable historic value, are
well preserved, the walls being about ten
feet high. The earthWOrks and entrench-
ments of the besieged soldiers are also in
tact for the distance of over a half mile.
The site of WashingtOn's original head
quarters, his tent, called the Marquee
and the IllustriOus generals spring where
be Is supposed 70 have performed his
matutinal ablutiOns, are also within the
grounds. The sites of the winter head
quarters Of Gems. Knox and Lafayette and
also WashingtOn's headquarters at the
Potts residence are adjoining The latter
building, as Is well known, was recently
purchased and repaired by the Order Of the
Patriotic sons OF America and converted
into q national museum.
The old mansion was restored 70 IFS
original style OF architecture and some OF
the old furniture OF the Washington resi-
dence at Mount Vernon placed within il.
The museum also contains small arsenal
of armorial relics of the revolutionary war.
The village of Valley Forge covered the
site OF the artifcers' headquarters and gun
shops
An attempt was made at the last session
of congress by Senator Daniel Voorhees,,
Of Indiana, TO have an appropriation OF
$500, 900 made 10 purchase the grounds
from James B. Carter, the owner, a we'll
known Philadelphia hardware merchant.
In whose family the historical tract has
been for nearly ninety years. The bill
was never acted upon. Mr. Carter,
who is a man OF wide patriotic instincts
but too far advanced in years TO
attempt q big enterprise, was inter
viewed upon the matter by News repre-
yesterday. He said he was pre-
pared 20 sell the ground either TO the gov
eminent or TO parties who might desire %
transform it into park and erect summer
hotel, as long as the sanctity of its hIstOri-
,al value wa. preserved