The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1889-08-10

the instance Of the state bvouacs Of Con-
federate soldiers, asking for the Hermitage
for period OF twenty-five years, as home
for disabled ex-Confederate soldiers
This idea and bill became very popular,
especially as 1t was so well known that Jack
son, In his life, had done so much for the
soldier, and the ladies began to look upon
their charter as so much waste paper. They
did not, however, give up, and counter bill
was introduced providing for the purchase OF
the house, tomb and $50 acres Of the property.
A large number Of influential citizens rallied
to the support Of the ladies and promised their
cooperation. This was flank movement,
and the disposition Of the Hermitage was held
in allegiance. In the meantime efforts were
made to harmonic the two parties. A meet
ing OF the citizens was held, and there was
some vigorous oratory on both sides. This
meeting was decisive Of the struggle. The
Soldiers home committee altered their pc
tition TO the legislature, exempting the house
and tomb and twenty-five acres Both bilh
were then passed.
Mrs, Doris, secretary Of the association,
in writing of the Hermitage at the present
time, says:
ut is now in that state Of dilapidaton that
unless prompt and efficient measures are
taken it will In few more years pass into
utter ruin. To the eye the house still pre-
sents the same stately appearance of old, but
the caves, the roof, the foundation, the cell
Ing, are all in need Of renovation. The
proper steps taken now, tie home of Jackson
will be preserved forever, and future gene
rations will praise the efforts of those who
saved it. The papering upon the walls has
never been changed since Gen. Jacksons
death His bedroom is just as 1t was the day
he died. The hall is papered with the legend
of Telemachus, which style was fashionable
In that day. The walks in the garden are
Just us he left them. The old fashioned flow
ers-peonies, lilacs, daffodils, snowballs, lilies
Of the valley-now Wilderness Of the gar
den, which may, with proper care, be re-
stored to its original neatness and order"
The tomb of Jackson is in the southwest
corner of the garden, three hundred feet or
so from the mansion. The material used in
the construction is solid limestone, and the
flight of years has made but slight impress
sion on it. The dome is supported by eight
columns of the dorc order and three large
steps serve as well proportional base. Upon
either side Of the monumental piece in the
center are two heavy slabs or stone, lying
horizontally upon the floor of the tomb and
il. them are cut the inscriptions. Nothing
could be simpler than one:
GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON,
Born March 10, 1867. Died June 8, 1915.
History tells the rest Poor Rachel who
never saw the White House to live in it, and
who never cared to go there except to be with
her illustrious husband, has one of the most
beautiful inscriptions ever cut in stone or
craven in bronze:
"Here lie the remains of Mrs. Rachel
jackson, wife of President Jackson, who died
the 22d of December, 1928, aged u years.
Her face was fair, her person pleasing, her
temper amiable, her heart kind She de-
lighted in relieving the wants of her fellow
creatures and cultivated that divine pleasure
by the most liberal and unpretending meth
DDS. To the poor she was benefactor, to
the rich an example, to the wretched com
forter, to the prosperous an ornament. Hei
piety went hand in hand with her benevo
lence, and she thanked her Creator for being
permitted to do good. A being so gentle ant
virtuous SANDER might wound but could moi
dishonor Even death, when he bore her
from the arms of her husband, could bu,
transport her to the bosom Of her God"