The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-03-29
HISTORIC CITY OF RICHMOND
The Ex-COntedeTate Capital Con-
taiHS Much of Interest to
THE LOVER OF AMERICAN HISTORY.
Davis Mansion and MOnuments--Three
Hours Ride From Washington.
BY PAULINE YANTIs POPE.


1t - just three hours ride from
Washington to Richmond, Va, and
what a subject for study this historic
old town is. With its beautiful
churches, its parks, It's monuments,
It's commercial interests and its
museums, it affords attractions which
viii not quickly fade.
Being the capital and containing
so much that is historical, it should
not be hurriedly passed by sightseers
Situated on the James river, its
scenery is most picturesque. The
Capitol is interesting because Of its
age. 1t was begun in 1885 aud COM
pleted in 1892. 1t is severely plain,
Of red brick, and is now succeed and
painted. That was done because of
the economy Of that day. The de-
sign was sent home by Jefferson
while he was minister to France, and
IS modelled after famous Roman
temple. The plan of Mr.. Jefferson
was adopted, after ssome corrections
not for the BETTER" as he remarked.
Ia the rotunda of the building is
Houdon's statue of Washington, the
great sculptor coming from France to
model it after the generals person.
Within its walls such men as ex-
Presidents Madison and Monroe, John
Randolph and Chief Justice Marshall
have set in convention. The room
where the confederate senate met has
been remodeled and is now used as
an Office by the governor.
In the gallery can be seen an old
stove and the speakers chair, pre-
served from the Colonial house OF
Burgesses. The chair is said to have
been a present from Queen Anne.
For almost 100 years after the inde-
pendence of the states 1t was used 10
the house of delegates, and in colon
ial days it was decorated with the
royal arms Of England. AT the
beginning Of the revolution these
we're removed The old stove was
made 10 ITO, and given to the
Burgesses by Lord BoteUourt, the
colonial governor.
The capitol square has within It's
Enclosure the building, the state
library building and the governors
mansion.
1t has also the historic statue Of
Washington and the statues of Stone
wall jackson aud Henry Clay. The
Washington monument is said to be
the finest as well as the most elabo-
rate group Of statuary in America
1t cost s26O,OOO The corner stone
was laid in 1850, though il was not
completed until 1858. 1t was begus
by Thomas Crawford OF New YORK
He died in 1857, so il was completed
by Rudolph Rogers. Surrounding
the base are the figures of Patrick
Henry, orator of the revolution
Thomas Jefferson, author Of the
Declaration Of Independence; George
Mason, author Of the Virginia Bill O
Rights; John Marshall, revolutionary
officer and chief justice Of the United
States; Thomas Nelson, general anC
revolutionary governor Of Virginia
aud Andrew Lewis, officer IN IndiaI
colonial wars and general 10 th'
revolutionary army.
Not far from the Capitol square i
the Memorial church, built 10 1914
where three years before fire ha'
destroyed theater in which sixt
lives we're lost The tourist con
tinnes out Broad street, the prIncipa
part Of the city, until Church hill
reached Here, crowning the sum
nit Of the hill is old Saint John
(EpiscopaD church, built 10 l74c
II was in this identical church tina
the Virginia convention met in l77t
and Patrick Henry made his famou
speech 10 which he said "Give m
liberty, or give me deathlp Tier
have been some additions TO thI
building, but the original room ha
been preserved, and one can DO take
lnsc Mr. Henry'a pew, or the on
lroul which be made. his speech B