The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-08-31
KING GEORGE.
improvements at Port Conway Which sug-
gest Some Patriotic Reflections.

King George Co. Va. Aug. - IDOL &
Owing 10 the wet season which has
prevailed here since June, fodderpulling
has been delayed and our farmers are en-
loving a somewhat protracted holiday.
As a consequence church festivals, lawn
parties. picnics and musical concerts, with
occasional tournaments, have been the
order oi the day for many weeks past,
and the end is not yet Several such en-
tertainmcnts are already scheduled for
the closing days Of the month. But this
summer solstice Of work has not been
wholly expended in pleasure seeking.
Some have utilized the time in political
fencing. and Others in laying foundations
forcxpnnsion of their business enterprises.
TO accommodate his increasing trade
Mr.. Geo. T.. Olive. at Rollins Fork il en-
lnrging his massive hree-story building
which was erected only few years ago
~ a coach and wagon factory, aud IL one
of the largest plants of its class in the
Northern Neck
The rapid increase in the populationO o
the ancient town OF Port Conway within
the past two years, showing by the last
census "A much greater percentage than
any town in the South, if not in the
whole country east of the Mississippi,
has aroused It's citizens from theirchronic
lethargy and inspired them with the i'm
portance OF improvements to meet the
demands of their growing commerce.
Hotel accommodations have long been
deficient. and many times such has been
the overflow Of patronage that numbers
of guests have had 10 seek lodging Mt the
boarding houses in Port Royal, suburb
lust across the river which il said To be
the best place for sleep anywhere III
Tidewater yirginia Since the opening
OF the Buffalo Exposition this long-ielt
want has been emphasized by a great IN
nux Of tourists. native and foreign, who
come to visit the birthplace OF President
Madison To meet this demand the pro-
prietor OF the Hotel Monticello has re-
Gently enlarged this far-famed hostelry
by additions and improvements con
structed on the plans Of the ill-fated Jei-
ierson Hotel. mt Richmond, that make
ample provision now for all comers ana
render it one of the most imposing struc-
lures south of Muddy Greek. Visitors
from Baltimore find special interest IN
this house. for it was here that Mayor
Hayes first opened his eyes to the light Oi
the sun. and from which he,departed soon
after cutting his milk teeth. But the chief
attraction to tourists is the monument
erected over the spot where Madison was
born. This is a very unique structure,
unlike the pyramids OF Egypt or any
other memorial, ancient or modern,
known to archPologists. Like the mon
ument to our first President at Washing
ton. it il severely plain in its outlines, but,
unlike that towering structure, it takes
reverse direction and consists OF a simple
shaft in basso relieve style OF architecture,
descending to the depth OF 10 feet, more
or less. and presenting n very artistic
appearance. TO the average mind the
scheme or plan of this unique monument
does not readily occur, but to those well
versed in symbolic readings the design is
very apparent and at the same time very
appropriate and striking. As the tall
and towering shaft at Washington was
reared to the memory of the Father oi
His Country, so was this erected to COM
memorate the craftsmanship and patri-
otic services Of the Father of the Consti-
tuition: and as the former points to the
star of empire in its westward course OF
expansion and benevolent assimilation,
such az we now 30 iOyously realize, so
does the latter remind US that down in
the deep and quiet recesses of our Consti-
tuition can the people find the only true
foundation of their liberties, and there
alone can the Ship of State secure safe
anchorage But, like the story ofGeorge'
little hatchet and other treasured memo
ries so long embalmed in song and story,
and fondly cherished in human hearts
from generation to generation as precious
heirIooms, this sacred relic has not es-
caped the rude attacks OF the skep-
tic The iconoclast is abroad in the
land and like an evil spirit, now riseth
no to say that this (w)hole story is all
myth that when the Madison mansion
was burned by the British in 1915 with
the hope of smoking out the fugitive
President and his wife, Dolly, Port Con-
way had no organized fire departmentas as
it now has, and the bucket brigade, after
heroic efforts, could only save the cellar,
and that was left to stand asamemorial
of the dastardly act of our friends the
British. now so dearly beloved.
Be this as it may, the good people OF
the town still cherish it as sacred relic,
and to show their appreciation they have
with patriotic hearts and gentle
hands. recently placed over it a shingle
roof. and for its better preservation put
it in cold storage.
Referring again to the phenomenal in
crease OF population as reported for Port
Conway by the last census, the people
across the river in a jealous spirit say
that when a Baltimore steamer withan