The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-12-04

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wASHINGToN's BIRTHPLACE.
cred with rude pictures of Scriptural
scenes. The house is said to have been
destroyed in 1885, and of the authenticity
Of the numerous illustrations Of it that
have been published nothing can now be
discovered.
Indeed the accuracy of the accepted de-
scription of the house itself has lately
been called into question. An inventory
OF the property of Austin Washington,
found with some other papers in the pos
session of of the Havemeyer family
of New York, has given the assiduous
Moncure d. Conway reason to believe
that the house was really a fine residence,
with eight bedrooms. besides other apart
ments. Some confederation of this is
found in Washington's letter to Sir Isaac
Heard, in which he speaks of his fathers
mansion" at Bridge Creek, and Weems'
"Life of Washington also refers to it as
"this large house." But that matter is
after all of less Importance than perpetu-
ating the memory of its location.
Whatever it may have been, the site
of the dwelling is now, like most Ameri-
a places of historic interest, neglected
and forlorn. All that remains of the
house is a pile of broken bricks and
stones that evidently formed part of the
chimneys and foundation. Up to a few
years ago one of the chimneys still stood
like a rugged monument upon the his
toric spot, but that has disappeared. So
also has the stone with which George
Washington Parke Curtis, Washington's
adopted SON and one of his executors, in
1915 marked the site of the house. Wash
ington's father, grandfather and great
grandfather lived and died at Wakefield
and were all buried in the family vault,
which is but q short distance, from the
birthplace and equally neglected, moth
ing remaining Of 1t but a group of trees
and q few broken stone slabs with some
half legible inscriptions.
On June IA, 1879, Congress made an
appropriation of 5000 for q monument
to mark the spot where Washington was
born. Inthe following spring Mr.. Evarts,
then secretary Of state, paid q visit to
the place and subsequently wrote letter
to Speaker Randall, suggesting that it
should be preserved and . suitable me
mortal erected. He estimated that il
would cost $4,000, and congress in
creased its appropriation TO that amount,
at the same time extending its original
design 80 as to include the purchase Of
the property and the construction Of q
suitable wharf and approaches for visit
ors who might come down the Potomac
the only practicable way of approaching
the place.
The property was purchased by the
government for 5000 from John e.
Wilson, formerly Of Maryland. who has
been living there for the past 40 years.
He married Miss Bette Washington, the
granddaughter Of William Augustine
Washington, q nephew Of the general
and one Of his heirs and executors. After
the purchase price was paidsthe amount
left for completing the project Of con
gress, including the construction of the
wharf, was e24,713, and of this sum
Colonel John N. Wilson of the engineer
corps of the army, who has been given
charge Of the matter. has made q COZ
tract which will devote $3.50 to the
construction OF a wharf near the mouth
of Bridge creek. The pier is to be Of
iron, with q wooden deck, and will b.
1850 feet long by 10 feet wide. Work
upon it Is to begin May 1. 1894, and it Il
TO be completed ready for use by the Isl
of next August.
These expenditures from the appro
priation will leave something less thar
$i5, 900 for the erection of the monu
ment and such other work as may b,
necessary. The amount La small, bu'
Colonel Wilson may be depended upol
TO make the best possible use Of 1t in de
signing and erecting the desired monu
ment. He was until lately superintend
emit Of the Military academy at Yves
Point, and during President Cleveland
former administration he was in charg
Of the public buildings and grounds Il
Washington. Prior TO that be had charg
Of the breakwater improvement Ut Cleve
land. He Ii especially popular In Whit
House circles and was formerly the prac
deal director Of social functions ii th
III E&