Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-08-02

upon which he breathed his last. The
old trunk and his secretary in the
same room. That is room marked Il"
on the picture. You know after
Washington died his wife took the
little attic room right above his death
bed and there spent much of her time
overlooking the ''old tomb' which
held his remains. You will notice
that she could see the "old tomb"
plainly from her window, which is
marked -" Room 80" then is the
second one Of special interest upstairs,
and in this one Mrs. Washington died
two years after her husband. Her bed
is also in its old place. The third
chamber of special interest is the one
always occupied as guest room by La
Fayette when he visited Mount
Vernon.
In the Detached Kitchens" cooking
is still practiced. The guards and
people in charge of Mount Vernon
were eating their MONDAY meal there
in when we visited it. The old hominy
mortar is in its place, likewise does
the crane still hang in the old fire.
place. The brick oven is still pre-
served, and pewter dishes with other
paraphernalia are to be seen. OF
course they are not used now, only out
for display. Here we bOughta draught
Of ice cool milk and drank to the
memory Of him who doubtless Quaffed
of the same substance here more than
100 years ago.
Leaving the house we stroiled out
around the shaded lawns, to the flower
garden and conservatory, and among
the numerous outbuildings that COM
prised this Virginia hOusehold-but-
ler's house, meat-house, wash-house,
ice house; spinning house, barns and
coach shed, the latter containing
perhaps one Of the most interesting
relics OF the place, namely the old
three seated coach owned and used by
Washington. The master of Mount
Vernon devoted much attention to
the selection and cultivation of trees
about his home and some of them are
there now, StalWart giants that speak
no language OF the past or present,
excepting as they proudly stand in
defiance against the battlements of
time to emphasize natures admiration
OF the home and tomb it is our pleasure
to write about. Their leaves have
kept green and their branches have
crept higher in unison with the name
OF Washington.
have but poorly related to you
what was our privilege to see on our
short visit to the big farm of about
200 acres where for sixteen years a
great man cultivated his crops and
lived the simple life of a Virginia
planter. From these fields was he
called to war, then again did he return
to them only to quit its beloved acres
for the cares OF the first Presidency of
of the Republic. Finally released
from the duties OF government we find
him third time attempting retire
tatiOn and the peace. of his domestic
relations. But only two years were
vouchsafed to Washington after he
was president. for then came the
Reaper of Death. AS we turn from
this patriotic ground TO take the
steamer homeward. we read again
those words of Edward Everett: No
gilded dome swells from the lowly roof
to catch the morning or evening
beam; but the love and gratitude of
united America settle upon it in one
eternal sunshine. From beneath that
hum BILE roof went forth the intrepid,
unSeltish warrior, the magistrate who
knew no glory but his country's good:
to that he returned happiest when his
work was done. There he lived in
noble simplicity, there he died in glory
and peace. While it stands. the
latest generations of the grateful
children Of America will make this
pilgrimage to it as to a shrine; and
when it shall fall, if fall it must,
the memory and the name of Wash
ington shall shed an eternal glory on
the spot"
Your Son,
FnMONnE