The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-20

!! mounting toward the Earn, where the sag
E,ng foundation timbers and Wide, Cup
1 ing cracks in the sides looked odoly
enough beneath the comparatively he"
iehinEles. -,. h,,,,, -
! he added. directing attention to the car
!. ,iaEe shed, leaning heavily against the
! ham. People come here and say to me:
why don't YOU keep things UP better
They don't understand that the state au-
xnor.tes are supposed to look after things.
40. Of course I amt to blame but
don't like to have people think SO.
TUMBLING TO PIECES.
Residents of North Elba and Lake
placid. who have known Mr.. Lawrence
FOR years as thrifty, Industrious man.
know that whatever blame for The pres
e,;t condition CT the John Brown farm
nav rightly exist, none can attach TO
mini. The rear portion Of the house has
Anot been repaired since Brown built II
wears ago. and now it is scarcely haplt-
| able. although Mr.. Lawrence's family are
/ obliged to use it fer lack of ROOM Inc
/ door timbers were originally supported
I by Urge logs. These nave IoLseu a" ,'!s
1 allowing the floor to sink and become ah-
nate. The dropping away of these TIM
| hers has also had its effect upon the
whole rear portion Of the house. causing
Edhc roof to sag. In addition, the OLD
]; kbingles have started up. so that LEG roof
leaks badly
Gently say that the State Forestry Com
| mission. as tho body having charge OF
! the property for the State, should at once
f+1ake steps to prevent the further de-
cav OF this part of the house. Other
soarts OF the house are also in a bad condl-
xion. While all recognize that the nome
should be preserved as nearly In ITS
original condition as possible. the conten-
~ - 40
taken to make Improvements about the
mouse and other buildings at once.
It is asserted that the total repairs
needed on all the buildings would not
tOost over $1,000
GRAVES OF HIS SONS.
Another matter which should receive
/ prompt attention. according to visitors
10 the farm. Is the proper marking q
She graves Of John Browns two sons
oliver and Watson-buried beside their
father These graves are now simply
marked by plain wooden stakes. bearing
no Inscriptions whatever On Memorial
day, small American flags We're planted
above them. and are still In position,
relieving to some extent their otherwise
barren appearance. The original stone
planted above John Browns grave was
acme years ago covered with wooden
frame, having a glass front This still
Stands. and has served to protect the
stone. This stone is appropriately in
scribed, as is also the huge bowlder at
the head OF all three graves. II was
Browns last wish that his body be laid
at rest beside this great stone, he had
learned to love in early life.
That John Brown thought much of his
peaceful little Adirondack home this last
wish reveals. It was not the place of
his birth; he had lived in many larger
places. in the mere fertile lands OF the
West, in the milder climates he had spent
portions OF his life: but it was John
Brown, the man. not John Brown the re-
FORMER, who made 1hat last simple req
uest. Morn out n a friendless endeavor, de-
serted by friends. facing death, John
Browns strife-siekened heart yearned
again for that little green dip In the
Adirondacks hills. for the soft soushi1g
OF the trees. for the birds. for the sun
shine, for the rolling fields md the blue
hills beyond: for that home where he had
spent fourteen OF the. pieasdntest years
Of his life. And he asked to be buried
beside the great bowler where he had
R,ulit that little home many years before.
The request was needed, and his bones
lie beside the great bowlder. and floating
In the buoyant mountain breeze the
Stars and Stripes high over head pro-
claim to the country for miles around
..rhat within that little iron rataed in
3xiosure is sacred ground.
WHY HE WENT THERE.
AZ John Browns history needs not be re-