New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-27

famous brand. George Washington Mount YER
non. always passing the Custom House without
inspection.
The Mount Vernon estate has 30 acres. thiriy-hve
of which were the gift of the late Jay Could VINO
brought abou; the purchase quite in MS """ way
This particular tract joined the Mount Ne'ho" ARES
on the north. and possessed an extensive '"''
front. 1t becoming every year more ana more
source OF anxiety to the regents. who ioreSaw
that 1t bound to be a pleasure resort propapN
for sunday cNcursonists, which would inaN' "'''s-
sary extra are OF the mansion and grou""' "'"'
by. The owner also was aware of the regents AIM
icty and desire to buy the land, and. oil course.
the price was put up far above what they couiu
pay. one day Jay Gould sailed up the Potomac In
his yacht. ana anchored near Mount Vernon "here
ne remained week. Nobody knew the Small "a'"'
quiet man, noticed him. strolling about among
visitors Apparently II quite by a'S"c"t ''''
Mr.. Gould got an nkling Of the regents anxiety
over the lard. but he followed 1t up WIN ""
questions to the superintendent though showing no
special interest at the moment. IL was "t'' wan"
learned that Mr.. Gould had inspected the iahd anu
taken in the situation. \ day or two Id''i He sur
prised the superintendent with the bref announce
ment that he would buy the coveted iand ior mo
escnts. OF course Mr. Goulds name was kept out
Of the transaction until the purchase was hlaur'
which was on the owners terms, but when.
it was well known would have been doubled hau
the milOnaires name appeared at hrst'
Much is done for Mount Vernon through personal
lberality Of vice-rcgents and contributions from
outside. The late George w. Childs, VINO was LOT d
number of years member of the ADVISORY hoaru'
always manifested a generous interest. Inc vice.
regents who are rich women are equalIcd by 'ce-
regents who are not rich but who. by untrlng ell
forts. raise money in the States they represent
Perhaps in no single year have such important
ana expensive Improvements been compieteu as III
the last year. Among the most important is 'he
clearing and draining of tract or iahd on 'he
southwest part Of the estate bordering on the river
mansion. The work Of retaining the swamp lands'
which has been thoroughly and successfully done
al the cost of $1,000. undertaken year ana Il
half ago. by the vice-regent for California, Mfs'
Phoebe \. Hearst. wife of the late senator hearst
What was densely grown swamp has been con-
vertcd into healthfulness and beauty, and this now
valuable tract of land is productive and pctur-
csQuc meadow. Mrs. Hearst had previously eN-
pended nearly $1,000 the new wharf and pretty
shelter station at the landinS bult four years ago
When Lawrence Washington. in l1iS, built the
central part Of the mansion. At that time termed
.vllla" he famed the place Mount Vernon after
The British Admiral, under whom he served. Forty
years later George Washington. who had inherited
the property from his brother, added the norih ana
south extensions. giving length OF nearly loo i'et
by 80 in width. II then called the VILLA the
mansion house" The cellar is under the whole
house, and is curious old place not open 10 VS.
itors. 4 short flight Of steps lead down TO wide
hail. which the whole length of the cellar. 10
the opposite end of the mansion. where originally
"A flight Of steps led to another exit long ago closed
up. The central foundation is Of sandstone but the
extensions added by Washington have foundations
OF brick. which made on the estate The hall
evidently added by Washington. as the outer
wal Is o, r'ich ana "t moor , 1r l Hrk aid over
a century ago. There Is a circular brick well. sew
top. which rises couple OF feet above the cellar
floor and is finished win curb OF solid , 9ak
II has seen ages OF danpness' the OAK Is sun iarly
All the partitions are of stone or brick. and as a
whole. the foundations give the impression oil
Hut the oak slls all through were discovered to be
seriously impaired by dry rot and offensive repairs
in this direction have been male during the last
g1 reriec5 H.. evs.snp,ai r,asonrv OF br.ck and
cement topped by slate. support the supersruct-
ure. a good deal OF The BRICK "ork Aad 10 DE
The two extensions built by Washington present
a striking contrast In their interiors The hDI'iy
10 have no design at all. anJ at nrst glance tn"
9 nS to two be o Td 9I op p%1 out on he
south poruco. But It's interesting feature Is us
more there are In seeming panels and plain "ains-
An the beauty OF design and finish. however.
%as layshed on The north esiensi9n or
stucco centrep!cce. bordered with an arabesque pat,
laurel am nteTtvned With estoons Of eayes The
banquet hall" was completed IN ll". about ne
two or three other French nobrmen. We're guests
at Mount Vernon. \ ball TO b" given IN their
honor, and, a the story goes the banquet hall.
though completed. TO have its finishing touch
with paper imported from England The paper had
arrived. but there delay about hanging u,
much the distress Of Mrs. Washington. But
Lafayette galantly offered his services. the rest
turned In. and with Washington's assistance. the
banquet hal. Dapercl IN time for the ball.
The authorized purchase Of Mount Vernon was by
the Virginia Legislature IN ls1b. The sum OF 13y.-
90 was paid for 20 acres In payments. Win pr
cent interest from date of first payment. Tn" nf'i
dollar contributed for the purchase was in South
Carolina. AT a meeting called 10y Miss ann i1rmciI
Cunnin CHAM. the first regent. The FIRST Norihf ~
State to respond Was Ma-.a chusctts. tnrOu4n I'd
ward Everett. who offered the proceeds Of lectur"
Washington. The proceeds were over tlJ.fy IT,
the same year Robert Bonner. OF "Thc New York
Ledger" proposed mat Mr. Everett should contrib
ute article week 10 that paper for a year for
which Mr.. Bonner would pay $1,000 To the great
surprise 81 tn. friends OF Mr.. Everett ana delight
OF the association, he consented and the money
was promptly paid over. Altogether. Edward Ev-
erett's contribution 10 the purchase money OF
Mount Vernon was sc'.4H -. The Efforts of
women all the country to collect the
balance a matter OF history The wife Of
President TAYLOR collected 800 by personal cNertiOn.
Masonic fratcrniiics all the country contrib
uted Women talked. and used their pens. Mrs.
SigOurncy. the writer, contributed poem and with
IL so. Contributions came from the then FAR on
land Of California. and from the Sandwich Islands.
Festivals held. theatre benefits given. and