The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-10-05
IN SLEEPY HOLLOW.
Pilgrimagcs to the Graves of Noted Amor
lean Authors
Especial Correspondence

AShSAuhu pioohOfy q OI
sons whose destination is the Worlds fair
than the total number of all those who
came for that purpose during the preced-
ing three months Some of the passenger
agents and hotel proprietors say that
the number is, in fact, more than double
that which represented earlier arrivals
And it has been noticed that for the most
part these visitors make inquiries not as
to the best way to see the notable sights of
New York city and vicinity, but as to the
route to the home and grave of Washing
ton Irving.
So it has happened that during these days
of early fall there have been noticed many
pilgrimages to this historic spot. and it
seems rs though scarcely person has come
from England to America who has not had
In mind visit to Sleepy Hollow, to Wool
fert S Roost and to the place made immor.
tai by Washington Irving through his mar
ration of the adventures of Ichabod Crane
with the headless horseman pursuing him
rms disposition is, however not a new
one. Although many Americans every year
visit this place, yet it has been noticed ever
since the death of Irving that it is the Gus.
tom of distinguished Englshmen who visit
America to spend a day amid those scenes
which Irving made the delight of the Eng
llsh speaking world, while there have been
thousands of Englishmen not known to
fame to whom it has seemed to be a high
privilege to have been permitted to look
upon Sleepy Hollow or to cast n tribute OF
affection upon Irving's grave. During this
summer many flowers have been thrown
upon the turf which is over his remains,
but so far tho vandals have left the new
tombstone untouched. For long time
after his death it was impossible to prevent
the dissertation of relic hunters. They
Clipped away the first tombstone erected
over his grave within a few months.
some time after new marble slab was
erected in the place of the one thus de-
stroyed. Bit by bit that was broken into
until at last it had been practically lev
eled with the grave, and the pieces that
were broken from it were so small that it
seemed ms though there must have been
several hundred bits taken away before de-
struction was complete.
Another tombstone was put up some time
after, and that, too, was destroyed i'm the
same way. Now there stands at the head
of the grave IL small marble slab recently
put there containing simply the announce
ment of Irving's birth and death and the
words washington Irving
The places are little changed of which r.
wing wrote in his "Sketchbook, "and Wool
fert's Roost appears almost exactly as it
did upon the day of his death That is
quaint mansion built by the Dutch more
than 200 years ago, standing almost exact
~ as it did when it was completed, with
the exception of the pretty italian tower
which Mr. Irving added to it. Irving's
neces, who were his companions i'm that
house after his return to the United States
from his service rs minister TO SPAIN still
live there. but they have been compelled
to deny themselves and the house 10
chance visitors, although persons who come
with letters of introduction are cordially
received. They have done so because 9th.
crwise they would be, especially in the
summer, overrun with visitors The
grounds, however, are free to any one who
chooses to wander through them.
1t is nodinusual sight to see Il group of
visitors standing upon the banks of Sleepy
Hollow looking with something of awe
and yet with delight Mt the remnants of
the pier which supported one end of the
bridge over which Ichabod Cranes immor-
tai flight was taken, and these parties hav.
ing thus gazed at the visible evidence that
such bridge did exist then turn their eyes
to tho quaint Dutch church with its fn.
nous and openly exposed bell, and with
the two vanes, one pointing one way and
one another, which Irving so delightfully."-
Described
Sometimes these English parties are per
way, where they may see Il monument
standing upon the spot where history was
made and where mightier and even more
immortal events We're done than those de.
scribcd by Irving in his story, for it is
scarcely II stones throw from Sleepy Hol,
low that the monument stands upon the
spot where the three young militiamen
captured Major Andre and thus frustrated
the contemplated treason of Benedict AR.
mold.
James Russell Lowell used to say that
the finest tributes paid by Americans are
those offered almost daily at the tomb of
Washington and ut that of Washington
Irving, for it is !, TACT that To Mount Yer.
non and to Tarrytown there 20 constantly
those who wish thus to signify the esteem
and regard i'll which they hold the fame OF
those TWO men, each in his way the great
est That America has produced. There are
no other pilgrimaSes 10 the grave or home
of any American author who has departed
which are like those which are made al.
most daily to what was once the home and
the spot where now Washington Irving lies
sleeping.
Cooper's burial place attracts scarcely
any Interest, excepting among those sum
MGR visitors who happen to he in it's vicin-
ity. The friends OF Miss Alcott strew flow
ers upon her grave, but no strangers 20
there Tor that purpose. Statesmen some
times visit the places where repose all that
was earthly of Webster or Clay or Calhoun.
and there are of course many visitors to the
tombs Of Lincoln and of Garfield. and yet,
after all, there is no finer tribute TO the
mastery which one who has supreme com.
mand of literature can obtain than these
professions of English speaking people of
british and American birth which are to
be seen throughout the yearupon the streets
OF Tarrytown TO do reverence to Washing.
ton Irving. T.. j. EDWARDS