Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-11

the stage coach and periwig are gone, and
we even forget the dim records OF other
times that lie unnoticed in our midst
records that. dusty and yellow with age.
seem still to bear a perfume of the past
within their cracked leaves
Down In the quaint little village Of Fair
fax, Va. are preserved many curious writ
ings of those who have won their cQuntry's
gratitude And in the archives CT the court
house are stored documents that are valued
at more than kings ransom. Here is the
will Of Washington, and here are docu-
ments bearing the signatures Of many of
our most famous men, and odd papers that
show the customs and usages of colonial
days. The will Of Washington is a series
of note size papers now sewn together in
pamphlet form for preservation, and though
1t is yellow and broken by handling, the
writing is as clear as If penned yesterday.
1t is kept in a wooden box about a foot
square, and through the glass front the
document can be plainly seen.
WashinSton's VIII.
1t is not generally known that the ia
nous will of the father of his country
came very near destruction on two occa-
sions. At the beginning of the rebellion it
was taken from Fairfax Court House, Va,
- Richmond. When the confederatas evac-
uated Richmond, the will was accidentally
left behind and was found by a soldier
amongst some rubbish the floor of the
ONCE OF the secretary of the commonwealth.
IL afterward came into tpe hands of a res
ident OF Fairfax county, who returned II TO
the proper authorities. NOt long ago the
office of the county clerk at Fairfax was
broken into by bur liars 4aud the safe con-
tanning the viii wasBbown open. The next
morning the VIII, with other valuable ard
ancient documents was found IN the floor
the burglars evidently Eyst recognizing il,
or else not apprecia ans5 If value rs q relic.
Inc contents Of tae Willi are probably too
V ei4 iinoWn to bear4 much repetition. Like
nearly all wills of that period made by IA
nous mep who were sla sehOiders, ii shows
The makers devotion to h.s slaves and his
Srcat concern for their welfare. In his Will
lie expressly states lnat his slaves snail be
emancipated at the death OF his wife to
whom he leaves most Of his properly, which
was valued al that time at $aBU,,hU. 4 fuI
inventory beng attached to the Will. lie
also expresses great regret that the youth
of his country should be sent to foreign
lands to- be educated. as shey are ept to
contract not only habits of dissipation ard
eXtfaVaSance. but principles unfri Snily to
our republican form of government He
also provides for the establishment of n
university, and states that while lis prin-
cipleS prevent him from accepting many
Kind and ffattering offers of compensation
for his services to his country during her
ardaeus struggle for freedom. he hopes
such property as has been offered him NAV
he donated for the benefit of educational
Institutions.
Washington as an Inventor.
At the old slaughter house near Mt Yer
nor there stood, up to about 1915 an old
threshing machine made by Washington,
and used on his plantation. 1t was q rudeIy
constructed affair, and evidently never
covered by patent. yet it was no doubt one
ha fret
and worked a good deal on the principle of
the old-fashoned fails, being a wheel turn
ing on sweep like one of the old brick
making machines; a horse walked around
with the sweep, and the long arms attached
to the wheel came down on the oat or
wheat straw, threshing out the grain
Several interesting stories about our first
President have been handed down through
the generations. One is that he had a
quarrel with his friend, George Mason and
Mason forbade his crossing his (Mason's)
land. One morning Washington started out
for ride. Ii was very muddy, and his
servant cautioned him about Mason's in
junction. Handing the servant a pistol he
said: IF any of Mason's niggers come out,
you shoot them. If the old man comes out
iii shoot him."
In repairing an old house in Fairfax
county some fifteen years ago some news
papers and an account book were found
The account book had evidently belonged
to n Storekeeper with whom WASHINGTON
uedlI, ana IN IL, ABOUT once IN every month,
there charged to Wasnington's account
five gallons of rum.
In the arCis<eS at the old court house
at Fairfax, where the will is kent are
many quaint and curious documents of
early days. Here are preserved the minute
books running back to the time the county
was organized, in 1872 They are written
in old English text, and have been we'll
kept. One of them shows where Wash
ington presented his commission as lieu
tenant colonel of his majesty's forces, pre-
paratory to starting out on the Braddocll
expedition, together with indictments
against him for failing to keep the wharyes
and roads through his estates in good re
pair; also for neglecting to turn in his
lands and personal property for taxation
in accordance with law. Other entries are
made showing whore Washington acted a
administrator, vendor and vendee In public
sales made under order Of court. and as
complainant and defendant i'll suits. the
most of which seem to have been amiCably
settled. Other old and historical papers
are some deeds signed by Washington,
Mason and others as vestrymen Of the old
Pohick Church near Mt Vernon, where
Washington worshiped. These deeds gave
title to the pews in the church, and at the
sale Washington was the first to purchase
a pew, paying therefor rthe highest price
given This old church Is stili standing,
and has a regular rector TO this day.
Besides being Ve3trymah of the church.
Washington was at one time one Of the
gentlemen Justices. The county court
peace, called 'gentlemen justices" The
system was most satisfactory and lasted
down to the time Of the civil war. These
justices before being allowed to enter upon
the duties of their office were required to
take the following cath, which is still pre-
served among the pablic documents:
1--WE do declare that there is transub-
sanitation in the sacrament of the Lords
supper or in the elements Of bread and
wine at or after the conservation thereof,
by any person whatsoever
Thomas Bryan Fairfax, Baron of Cam
eron, and Lord Fairfax were at one time
among these justices. One of their duties
vas TO fix the rates to be charged by the
ordinary (hoteD keepers. The court held
March 90 1876, settled scale Of rates:
some of the charges fixed were as follows,
For a gallon of rum, shillings. Eng
Ish strong beer ! shilling, pence Quart
bottle of cider, 4 pence. Gill of rum made
into punch with loaf sugar pence; with
| fruit IL pence. Same with brown sugar,
IL pence. Stable and fodder for horse
| one night or twentyfour hours, 6 pence
| For a nights lodging, with clean sheets, 6
pence, otherwise nothing"
Ancient Indictments.
During these good old colonial days the
laws were far more severe in regard to the
| conduct of the people than they are at the
present time. In those days the stocks and
whining roSts were common I'm soma of