Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1892-04-15
COMMUNICATED.

i a genuine SOuNtii a. 49,
apron-the gift Of Marquis De La
Fayette, of La Belle France, 10
| General George Washington, Is now
upon exhibition in the window OF the
Shepherdstown Savings Bank. me
souvenir is now in the custody OF b.
| +. Harrison, cashier of the bank, ana
the treasurer of Mount Nebo Lodge
No. OF, A., f. & A. NJ. Solomon, the
first Grand Master OF the Masonic
order, wrote, as follows: "A friend
loveth at all times, and a brother Is
born for adversely This truly Ma
sonic proverb found beautiful type
in the case of David aud Jonathan,
and in that Of Damon and Pythlas,
and rs history never wearles OF repe-
tition. we have a third example in
the lifelong friendship of Washing
| ton and Lafayette. No two men
were ever more warmly attached
than the General aud the Marquis
Although the former was an Aneri-
can and a Protestant, and the latter
a Frenchman and Il Roman Catholic,
vet had they many sentiments and
purposes in life in common. In other
words, they were congenial spirits.
Both were ardent advocates of civil
and religious liberty. Both had
taken their Masonic degrees, and
this was as we'll an additional tie, and
cord that may not be broken
Doubtless they came TO have know
ledge of each other through BenJa-
min Franklin, who, with two Others,
had been to France TO invite its ALL
anc- with the colonies in revolt, and
procure aid for the iLaintainance o.
the war. The young Marquis De La
fayptte rendered his services. lie
bought the Duke of kingston's yacht
crossed t he a tlantic, arrived ii CnArlts-
ton. was welcomed by Washington
as a member of his staff, aud appoint
ed a Major General. The acqualn-
tance thus begun continued through
their mortal llfc-and then TO be per
petuated in the eternal life in which
their Masoni: teachings taught them
to believe. AS TO the Masonic apron
now on exhibition III the window of
the bank building this much is GER
taiuly known.
Colonel Boteler, of this town, who
saw Lafayette in Baltimore when he
was boy, and whose father was
ROYAL Arch Mason, aud was personal
" acquainted with the Marquis, aud
from whom the Colonel learned the
history OF the apron, Informed tile
writer that the apron was made III
France, and sent to this country, and
was presented by Lafaye. te to Gen
eral Washington, and was worn by
the General when in lodge up 10 the
time of his death. This gift of AZ
lection after the death Of Gen. Wash
ington came into the custody OF
Charles the youngest brother OF the
deceased General, who owned large
and valuable land estates in Jefer-
son county Virginia (now West Nir-
ginia). CharlestOwn, now the coun
seat of Jefferson, was laid out upon
the lands Of Charles Washington and
took its name from him. His resi-
dtnce was only a short distance in the
country The Washington Masonic
apron remained in possession OF the
family until sometime after Charl"ss
death. Mr.. George Washington Ham
mond, no was reared i'll Shepherds
town. by Mr.. Lane, merchant, and
who was made Il Mason here III the
year 1916, married a daughter Of
Charles Washington, and thus
through his wife. u niece of Gen.
Washington, became the owner Of
the apron. BY Mr.. Hammond the
relic was presented TO Mount Nebo
Lodge No. 81.
OF the commences of this souvenir
there is not the least shadow of II
doubt AS an evidence Of that fact,
| need only state that the Washing
ton family, who have and do set
great store to all the relics of the
great General, have kept track of this
apron. \ few years since Mrs. Bur
nett, who was also Il Miss Washing
ton, threatened to bring suit in court
for the recovery of the apron, but
subsequently thought otherwise, and
left Mount Nebo the undlsputed
owner of the apron. This apron has
been worn upon a number OF ever
memorable occasions. The laying OF
the cornerstone Of the L. ;. Capitol,
Wa shington Monument in Washing
ton, ID. c., the Masonic Temple III
Baltimore, and recently tn" apron
was taken upon aupmorable journey
to the far west, and was used by the
Grand Lodge of Minnesota. The
brothers were so pleased that in graf
itude they treated the apron to u
costly and handsome case. Its re-
turn to the lodge few night since
was made a memorable occasion by Il
banquet, given at the expense of Bro.
Wvncoop Lemen. The ladies add
ed TO the occasion by their presence,
smiles, and kind services in waiting
upon the brethren. After refresh
mentS had been served, the hand
some case was presented by Bro. w.
Lemen a. gift from the Minnesota
brethren, aud was received by Bro.
q. w. Banks, on behalf of the lodge.
Then Bro. Is. f. Harrison. Master Of
Ceremonies, madea happy address, al
ter which he called upon Brothers Lee.
Neel and Mcdaniel, who responded in
well chosen remarks. Since the
above happy event Colonel Boteler
has presented TO Mount Nrbo Lodge
the apron Of his father, DR.. Henry
Boteler. who was a member of this
lodge. 1t will be framed aud hung
upon the walls OF the lodge. The
Colonel has the thanks of the brpth-
rem for this gift. aud he may rest as
sured that it will be we'll taken care
of. M.
Let every enfeebled woman know