West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-06-13
FAIRFAX COURTHOUSE AND WELL.
~ which Washington Used 10 Stop
and Water His Horses when on His
Way To and From Washington

1 '""""S "iu TStIaN Noutt tthouSc, scene ol
many historic episodes, is to be transformed
into an historical museum.
Portraits Of Washington. George Mason,
Lord Fairfax, Fi,shugh Ice and other dis
tingushed sons Of Virginia are to be hung
on its walls private documents, record,
aud papers are to be collected and placed
on exhibition there.
The structure itself, while possessing no
architectural beauty. is attractive by reason
of It's close connection with .the history oi
Virginia in the Eighteenth Century. II was
built of brick brought from England, and
bears scars innumeratle Of wounds received
in the Civil War. Throughout the war il
was occupied alternately by Federal and
Confederate troops, but strange to say, few
of its valuable records were molesled.
Although the outer walls were made the
target of countless bullets aud shells, the
interior was not damaged to any extent. In
the picturesque tower hangs n bell which
was there in Washiug,on's time. The an.
eient building stands in the midst of one of
The prettiest court greens in all Virginia.
The last will aud testament of George
Washington is the chief treasure Of the
Courthouse collection. The will Of Martha
Washington, which had been deposited
there, was earned away in wartime and
never restored. Washngton's will is kept
IN small, black walnut box, with a glass
cover. The box has been locked many
years aud the key has been lost. Only two
pages of the time worn manuscript are vsi-
bile. The handwriting is plain aud neat, but
there are many orthographcal slips. which
prove that Washington could never have
captured the prize a, a Virginia "spelliug.
bee'--a, least, not II he had lived
century later
AT the beginning of the Civil War the
Washington will was sent to Richmond for
safekeeping. That old-,ime papers had little
interest for the inhabitants OF the Confederate
capital, may be gathered from the fact tha,
when Richmond was burning, after the re.
treat Of Lees army, citizen of Fairfax,
who happened to be in the city, found the
will in pile OF rubbish in house that was
spared from the flames. lie took it home
with him, and ever since it has been pre-
served by the Clerk of Fairfax County.
There is law of the State providing for It's
preservation. II is altogether too valuable
relic TO be permitted to remain in its
present unsafe repository II the plans
now projected succeed, it will he placed in
a burglar-proof and fre-proof safe. with
other precious documents, aud guarded with
the care its imp rlance deserv s.
Another interesting document in the
Courthouse is the will OF George Mason. the
author of the "Bill of Rights" upon which
the national and many of the State Cons,i-
tutions are based. II is copied in won
dorfullY clear hand in a huge leather bolnd
volume, which contains many other me-
mentos of carly Virginia days. George
Mason lived at Gunsion Hall, on the Po,o-
mac, some distance below Mount Vernon,
and he disposed Of his "mansion house"
his hundreds Of slaves and other property in
this instrument.
There is "minu,e book" in the Court
house collection which contains many curl
Gus items. Here is one "Ordercd. that
there be erected IN The town Of Alexandria
whipping pos, and stocks; also dnckirg
pool, for the punishment Of offenders" 8"
Another minute was 10 the effect that "sll
soldiers and express in his Majesiy's service
paying ready money shall have one-ffth
deducted" Under date Of September "a,
1851. is given the test oath required Of
every county officer, attorney and yeslry-
man who qualified for office. This was ::
al do declare that there is no trans-subslan.
tiation in the sacrament Of the Lords Supper
or in the elements Of bread and wine or at
and after the Conservation thereof by any
person Whatsoever
There is no more interesting exhibit in the
Courthouse than copy Of the law rccu-
laung licensed innkeepers and prescribing
the prices they might charge. This law had
TO be posted in all the inns Of Virginia, and
the man who broke It was made 10 forfeit
seyeniy.hye pounds Of tobacco. a heavy
penalty for those days. Tobacco was mon.
ey in old Virginia. This is copy Of the
tariff "under his gracious Majesty 3" "One
gallon Of rum, s.; one gallon Napk brady.
los; Virginia punch OF apple brandy, 6s:
New England rum, zs Cd; Fayal and other
low wines, IS 6d London beer, called por-
ter, Is; English strong beer, Is o.; cider by
the quart bottle, al; for a gill Of rum made
into punch with loaf sugar, 6d; for hot
diet with beer or cider, Is; for a cold diet,
Cd; for a gallon Of oats or corn, 4d: for
siabling and fodder twenty four hours, adj;
for nights lodging with clean sheets, Od;
otherwise, nothing"
II the Vifginians carry out their intention
10 make the Counhous The "Faneui IIalp'
Of the Old DO minioD il will become an At.
traction for to uhsts by reason Of its proxim-
iiy to Washington The "Nauentoa Pike"
runs past the Courthouse. This is The road
made famous by the retreat Of the Federal
troops from Boil Kun in 1901.
Cata-rh Cannot be- Cnrcd