Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1893-09-27
WAsHINGToN,s GRANDNIEoE
A West Tfrginian--She Visits the
Worlds Fdir--An Interesting Talk.

Chicago hte-0 Ocean.
One of the most interested aud interest
ing visitors to the Worlds Fair during the
past week who signed their names in the
Virginia building is Mrs. John Wheeler
Smith, widow of the late Major Smith, U.
S. A.
Mrs. Smith is the Oldest living relative
of George Washington. She is daughter
of the late John Thornton Washington, of
Cedar Lawn, Jefferson county, West Vir-
GINA. Her father was great-grandson of
Colonel Samuel Washington, Oldest brother
of the father of his country. Mrs. Smith,
whose maiden name was Georgia Anna
Washington, was born at Cedar Lawn March,
1921, and is the oldest of three surviving
members of family of ten children. In
1871 she married Major John Wheeler
Smith, a paymaster in the United States
army, who, after going through the war, re-
signed and settled at Little Rock, Ark, soon
after the war was over, and there Mrs. Smith
has since made her home.
Speaking of her impressions of Chicago
and the fair she said at all seems so new
and strange and wonderful that sometimes
it seems almost like dream to me. Aside
from the many wonderful things | have
seen at Chicago and at the fair grounds,
that of course which had the greatest inter-
est for me was the meeting with my chill
dren and grandchildren and my visits to
the old Mount Vernon home, which is re-
produced after fashion on the grounds
This visit however, was not altogether un-
tinged with sad reflections. There was just
enough reality about it to suggest the many
great changes which have taken place in
nv native State and in our own family
The house did not seem anything like the
spacious old frame mansion at Mount Yer
non had seemed to me in my younger days.
Some of the furniture looked natural, and
| could not resist the temptation to sit down
in the old arm chair which had been used
by nv illustrious relative, But this act
came near costing me very dearly. l did
not for the moment realize that was doing
something against the rules, and something
which was likely to prove very serious as
we'll. Almost in moment found myself
the object of curiosity seekers who pressed
around to find out what it was all about. |
found myself in position which was very
disagreeable and embarrassing. livery soon
realized that / was not at Mount Vernon in
reality, and suppose if had not beaten a
hasty retreat would have been Invested OF
everything which would have furnished a
souvenir for a curiosity seeker, even to the
extent of losing my white hair, as | under
stand these vandals spare nothing in their
eager desire to gather mementoes."
Mrs. Smith has not visited Virginia since
she left there just before the beginning of
the war. 81 do not care to go back" she
said IL am not much given to sentiment
alism, but prefer to think of Virginia and
the old home places of our family as l knew
them when was girl. From what my
friends who have seen it tell me think it
would only make me iuexpressibly sad to
see the changes which have taken place
So many of my relatives and schoolmates
have passed away-our old home even is in
State which has been cut off the old State
of which I feel so proud-that altogether |
prefer to think of Virginia as | knew it
years ago."