The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1897-09-27
WOMAN'S KINGDOM
THE NATIONAL CEMETERY.


How many beautiful and loving memories
cluster around the name OF darlington,
and yet thousands OF our countrymen know
nothing of this resting place of brave
heroes IN the Virginia hills SO near our
capital.
Next to the name of Washington and
Mt. Vernon. there IS none other that so
stirs the patriotic American heart as that
of Arlington, and thousands come each
year to visit this beautiful and consccratcd
spot and stand by the graves that lie 50
quiet and peaceful beneath the sunshine
and moonbeams with til" grand Old Poto-
mae flowing silently a few yards away.
The visitor to Washington city never
fails to visit Arlington. After crossing the
Potomac by the aqueduct bridge mill
tary road leading through Fort Myer TO
Fort Niger gate, or the Georgetown or
Alexander road takes one to the memorial
gates There are three of these gates
one heariua, the name OF ORD and Weitzel;
another that of Sheridan. and the thru
that of Mcclellan.
II does not matter by which OF these
gates one enters, the Arlington house can
soon be found. 1t occupies so elevated a
position that it can be plainly seen from
certain parts Of Washington.
Tho history Of this house may be OF
interest to many of the younger genera
ton, who are probably unacquainted with
its origin In the early part Of TINS cen
fury the grand old home was built by
George Washington Gusts. stepson Of
George Washington, and its fame was
only cqualed By that Of Mt. Vernon.
1t was splendidly furnished aad deco
rated with portraits. pictures, elegant sill
yer and the finest OF table service. the
mansion stands on the brow Of a hi&h
hill that slopes away to the Potomac some
two hundred feet below. From here can
be seen Georgetown and Washington, ana
from other points the church spires OF Al
exandra and also the dome OF the soldiers
home 4 more exquisite scene could not
be imagined than mee,s ones view.
Tho place took It's name from q former
home of the Gusts family in the eastern
part OF Virginia. The house was built III
1862 The portico was modelled after the
Temple OF Theseus at Athens with its
Doric columns.
After the death OF GUSTS the children
OF his only daughter who married tn" M
mortal Robert f.. Lee, inherited the place.
When General Lee cast lis lot with his
mother state and took his family with HIM
to Richmond, Arlington was Immediately
taken possession of by the federal troops.
The mansion became their hoadduarle:
and tho grounds were converted into a
camp. Soon there WIS hospital cstab-
lishcd, and as the war con rfnued and many
battles were fought and cemeteries began
to he crowded Fine order was Given fo
mako, rhnst. bnau.if,il crourds ,es+tro
place for The dead, and here 4 is that Il
singular Incident orcnrrn,l rho frsr crave
prepared in this, the former home of
Robert E. Lee. was for confederate sol
d.cr who ditd In the hospital
The property was sold for DELINQUENT
taxes and bought in bv the Government Z,
1864 and thirteen year4 after when ueace
reigned over The land suit was broueh,
for the recovery of the estate hv Gcorre
washington Custis Lee an be.r under the
C,stis Wlll-tbouph he could establish his
lega! right. vet he was barred bv the courts
from taking possession but afterwards the
claim WAS settled to rb., satisfaction Of all
uarties NV tho limited Statas government
n,,<-,n,. hin, the .,,rn nf S;5aooo far ti,n
nroneI,tv and 50 today "ArlIr,,torl' stands
the most noted ana heaut!flI national com
eterv Of INV country
W. bo,sn now 10 oconola1 h,, ~, e,,r..,-
,,ta,,f,.,. rho c,,ca e,ro.,,l ..,lo, o, ,,.,,,
inc room Is row devofaa to a REGISTER.
where visitors leava that,. names In mis-
room YOU find plans OF the cemetery. etc.
The ground are beautifully ornairented
with eLruhs traes ana ,,voYf1i4a u, ,-a,.
f.,} ,rh, ,o+,,,at. .,,,,..r,. ,lds o,oo.I-,
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,ran,,,i, of I,,n,, .ta,,ng IN an nnon ,.ir-
cr1ar colo,n,da wifi, q low Jornc1 roof
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