The Washington times., 1901-11-03

Four EjS Chemical Engines Used.
Time and time again it has been pro-
posed to place at Mt Vernon all the
Washington relics at the National Mu-
scum ard those in possession Of persons
willing to lend or donate them for that
purpose. As often as this plan has been
proposed the objection has been raised
that the old mansion. which is such a
fitting home for all mementoes of its
distinguished occupant, being con
structed of frame. which. in the course
of years, becomes more inflammable, is
thus too liable TO fire to prove a safe
place for housing articles which, once
lost. could never be replaced. 1t has
even been proposed to erect an iron
fire-proof structure on the grounds at
Mt. Vernon for the purpose of housing
Washington relics. bbut no action has,
thus far been taken in the matter.
Notwithstanding the apparent peril
of fire, the precautions taken at Mt.
Vernon are so efficient as to almost pre-
clude the possibility of the destructive
element making its appearance. The
plant for fighting fire, now located in
and near the mansion, and ready for
use at 4 moments notice, was planned
by the late assistant chief of the Wash
ington Fire Department, and is up 20
date in every respect. Upon the oc-
casion of the instaIlment of the plant
Mr.. Low suggested test of its eff
cheney. a frame structure, the wood
work of which was stepped in kerosene
oil, was erected upon the lawn in the
rear OF the mansion and some several
hundred yards distant. The structure
was sixteen feet III leTgth, ten feet in
width, and twelve feet in height. 1t
was soon ablaze but in fifty-five sec
onds the fire was under control, and
within two minutes was completely ex-
tinguished. Mr.. Low, on witnessing this
thoroughly satisfying demonstration of
the efficiency of the chemical engines
and cisterns. remarked that. properly
utilized and manipulated, the plant was
sufficient TO extinguish all Washington
afire.
small iron trap-door in the lawn
back of the mansion, and about fifty
feet distant, conceals four one-hundred /
gallon chemical engines, or four times |
as many Of these splendid fire-fghting |
machines as this city possesses. In the |
mansion are located six three-gallon |
cisterns filed with the liquor which, |
when thrown upon the fire, generates |
carbonic acid gas and forms the dead |
lest foe to the devouring element yet |
discovered. In addition, there are bot
ties filed with the same fluid in nearly 1
every room which can be instantly used |
by anyone discovering a blaze, and |
there is a huge water supply. There is
a guard upon each floor who looks to
see that no gentleman smokes on, or
even near. the premises. and that no
matches are used for any purpose. The |
building is heated indirectly by means !
of hot water. the plant being located |
several hundred feet distant in a fire.
proof vault in the rear of the green
houses. The heat pipes are carried un-
derground to the cellar of the mansion,
and the heat is supplied to the rooms
by means OF a system or indirect radi-
ation. During the night the building is
never lighted without watchman, four
men taking turns of two hours each.
and registering their periodical pres
ence at all main points by means of
detective clocks. In short, the danger 1
of fire at Mt. Vernon is now reduced
to minimum, and should blaze oc
cur. it would, in all probability, be no
ticed instantly. If, however, a minutes
headway were gotten by the blaze,
damage to greater or less extent would
in all probability, ensue. for the wood
of the building is as dry as tinder.
1t is not, perhaps. generally known
that the key to the Washington vault,
upon the interment of the last member
of the family, was thrown into the
Potomac. and now lies no one can tell
where This interesting fact is con-
veyed nowadays to the visitor with all
due pathos and solemnity by one of the
greatest curiOsities at Mt Vernon, one
Bushrod, an old negro, whose
duty it is to show the tomb, and form
ally introduce strangers to George
Washington and Lady" Thomas re-
cites monologue, which he has evil
IDENTIFY learned by heart. and into which !
he introduces considerable measure of
dramatic effect. For instance. the story
OF the key he delivers in a bass tremolo |
calculated to excite the deepest emotion |
In the nearer, the words being nearly
as follows:
Now, ladies and gentlemen, as Tn
tryin' TO explain 10 yo', now, dat Goge !
WashtOn an Lady rest in these sar- ,
cophayi yo' see in front of yo' an |
between the lid and bottom thereof;
but the other members Of the family, |
the Parks and the Custises. all lie be
hind dat iron do through which no
one may enter any mo-, the KEY OF |
which, on the burial Of the last remain
in member Of the family, was taken |
out Cand here the tremolo begins) and
throwed into the riber; not into the
Hats. but in the deeper channel, where {
Il moughtened be dredged out, but :
whar it viii remain fo'eber mo-" !
Thomas winds UP his interesting dis
with the expression AN dat's |
about de size of it, ladies and genie
men, and, being evidently of a cheer ,
Iul disposition, seems inclined to con-
sratuiaie himself on disposng Of the ;
Father Of His Country, and all his kith .
and kin. in such a summary manner
Thomas was asked casually if he ever
'aw George Washington, and, being ex-
,lted 10 an undue amount of levity at :
he idea, found ii somewhat difficult 90 !
90 through with his narrative with his | 4
pathos and dignity He is. {
however, an aged man, his hair and '
BEARD being quite white. He is seyton g
II old Pohick Church, whereat Wash 5
ngion was wont TO attend, and is re- !
narkably proud Of that dignity. He Z
Iways alludes 10 himself in the third /,
'erson. Thomas Bushrod," he said in
he course Of a brief review of his life h
or the edifcation OF some visitors ..be Z
,elong TO OIL Colonel Fitz Hugh befo' l
he wah. an den to his son; now he ,
'eiong to eberybody. An if yo' was n
o come to Pokick Church on Sunday b
Iere yo would see Of Thomas Rushrod s.