The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-09-03
H0ODOO On THE HOUSE
Where Aaron Burr Hid After
Killing Alexander Hamilton.
FOR NEARLY A CENTURY
Only Calamity Has BefaIlen
Its Occupants,

New York, Sept 2-The Herald con-
tains this: Upon a grand old mansion
of the crossroads of Cranbury, Middlesev
county, n. ia house that sheltered I'm
mortal Washington and valiant Laiay-
cite, Thomas Jefferson and Alexander
Hamilton-there came, after 1t had Sc
GREETED there for three weeks in its grim
attic the person OF Aaron Burr, after
his memorable duel with Hamilton, on
July II, nsO4. a mysterious blight. Its
subsequent history is one Of the most re-
marlable on record. The tribuladons
and vicissitudes OF generations that have
been sheltered within its historic walls,
would lead one one to believe that with
the passing tof Burr from the garnet hid
ing place the genii OF evil had taken up
residence there and have ever since pre-
vailed.
Cranbury is a place OF history. The
spirit Of '76-the very breath of the revo-
luton Is there. EMPOWERED in man.
moth walnut and sycamore, which seem
to lisp the hallowed names Of the heroes
of old in their very rushing to the breeze.
Cranbury looks abroad over a vast plain
of sweeping orchard fianked with yellow
grain and crimsoning clover. Reposeful
even to monotony, from the hurly-burly
of the metropolis it is like stepping into
the tranquil garden of Hesperides, reced-
ing a full century into the past.
Here and there are severe white man.
sions with their Doric pillars cleaning
in the summer sun, and about them the
clustering cottages of the humber folk,
with their tIny-paned windows, their
doors which break in half, polished
floors and low ceilings, the oppressive but
archaic aroma Of mohair and mahogany.
Cranbury is a haven of dreams, the
bower Of dhe historian.
But the inactivity is only seeming. In
Cranbury borough, to which lord, the
first governor of New Jersey, gave his
name, people today do a deal Of think
ing. OF late they have been turning
their attention to a bleak but stately old
mansion which stands at the intersection
OF the New Brunswick turnpike with the
old King Georges highway-the famous
coach road from Philadelphia to New
York through Broad streets of Newark
and Trenton.
This mansion was built so many years
ago that American history fails to make
record of It; but some Facts are known;
that the house was remodelled in 100
and some additions made. But 1t pracuc-
ally remains as it was when Washington
was there in 177S, and it Is so today
grand old landmark with quaint arched
windows leading out upon ccmmodious
verandas, with high ceilings and severe
panelling, grave, carved n1antles and Sc
cret passages behind them to attic and
cellar, for in those troubloHs times 1t was
often expedient for a man to appear and
disappear at a moments notice. The
revolutionary period was one Of con-
slant surprises.
Washington stopped here in a rousing
thunderstorm on his way to Monmouth
IN HIS, accompanied by his san officers
and many men. The most made the
great general at home before the old colo
NAL fireplace, and gave the other officers
the key TO the wine cellar. The party
remained all night, and the officers be-
came hilarious over the punch below.
II IS said that washington was very
wroth the next morning at the abuse OF
hospitality and drove his sword into the
sod with such force as to snap 1t bff
near the halt. Certain d is that Colonel
Zebulum NJ Pike droPpedo spur in mount
ing his steed IN the bmorning. for the
spur with his name engraved thereon Is
still to be seen 1t was IA little way
down the road, at the old tavern, that
Washington and Lafayette had . MEM
orable conference on tho eve OF the bat
tile OF Monmouth. In 1S01 Commodore
Thomas Truxton. L. 3. N, who had cap
tured the French frigate L'Insurgeant on
his own Constellation in 1923, bought this
mansion and made # his home. 1t was
Commodore Truxton who was the host
Of Aaron Burr.
Aaron Burr was Ithe son of the presi-
dent OF Princeton College. a remarkable
graduate from that institution at the age
of sixteen. He was brilliant and hand
some. an athlete. n fine speaker and a
master of English; but in his destinations