The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-05-19
RAILWAY THE HERMITAGE
General Jackson's Tomb 60 he Con-
nected With Outside by steam.

General JacksOn's IOmD 90 be COh-
neeted With Outside by steam.
The thousands of pilgrims who an
nually make their way from Nashville
TO The Hermitage, where Andrew Jack
son and his wife sleep, will soon have
railroad accommodations for their ben
eft, says the Chicago Record. The
number of visitors to The Hermitage
has increased to such proportions that
q spur railroad has become a necessity.
The livery stables OF Nashville derive
more revenue from visitors to The Her
mltage than from any other source.
The Ladies' Hermitage association,
which has been striving TO secure a
spur road for many years past, has at
last succeeded In inducing the Tennes-
see and Pacific railroad to build 1t.
Despite the fact that thousands OF
Americans from every part Of the ma
ton visit The Hermitage, until few
years ago the historic place had almost
gone TO rack. 1t was owned by the
state, but was badly mismanagod until
some patriotic ladies banded together
as the Ladies' Hermitage association
10 preserve the home and tomb OF An
drew Jackson. A curator now has
charge Of the entire place and spends
his time In keeping the buildings and
fences repaired and In trimming the
weeds and grass that spring up. The
curatOr's wife receives all visitors In
the old residence and shows them the
relies.
The only person now living who was
at The Hermitage with Andrew Jack
son during his last years Is old Uncle
Alfred, who was the body servant OF
the great Tennesseean. The old cabin
where he was born Is still his resi-
dence. but It has recently been re-
chlnked and daubed He owns In his
cabin many OF the Jackson relies. The
bed he sleeps on was one II the fine
mahogany pieces bought when the
house was refurnished after the fire 10
1896. He has large china urn which
was bought IN New Orleans. II is very
quaint, and when asked what 1t was
he replied: dat af's water cooler.
Gln'ral Jackson bought dat in New Or
leans. Don't you see de nameP point
ing to the name of the maker. Gin
raj Jackson was de only man | cher
seed whut looked like de Almighty
hese'f," announces the old slave to
those who llnger long enough with him
10 bring out "reminiscences. The old
man Is 06 years old and his mother
was General JacksOn's cook. His mind
Is stored with interesting anecdotes,
and he is very vain about the fact that
he actually belonged to Andrew Jack
son.
The new cuttings Of the willows that
Andrew Jackson planted over the grave
Of his wife are reIlgiously tended by
Uncle Alfred. The last one Of the orig
inal trees was blown down a few years
ago I'm a storm, but Uncle Alfred had
watched the beginning of their decay
and set out new cuttings, which are
young and vigorous now.
The tomb has been fenced in by a
handsome iron railing, and outside OF
this railing are the tombs Of Andrew
Jackson, Jr., and his family. Every
year the Ladies' Hermitage assoeia-
ton gives a grand ball In one Of the
great cities Of America on Jan. 8, the
proceeds Of which 90 to the care OF The
Hermitage grounds. The relics at The
Hermitage are rellgiously and sacredly
cared for in separate rooms. Among
them are life size portraits, furniture.
personal effects and many things used
by General Jackson while president.