davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-21
Few Change
In WaShinStOn'S
Home - -

visitors from abroad were not sparing
in their criticism of American luke
warmneSS.
After the association obtained pos
session of Mount Vernon matters con-
tinucd TO look very dark for awhile.
The civil-war broke ont, and it was
impossible to interest anybody in SO
important Il subject even as the reSto-
ration Of Mount Vernon. The women
Of the association had raised the $780,
GOO required TO purchase the estate
with comparative facility. Edward Ev-
erett ;lOne having contributed $4,000,
which he had earned by his pen and
lectures. To this generous gift MaSSa-
C!u.retts added $4,000, making half Of
tie sum demanded and the remainder
YVES secured in smaller contributions
FROM states and individuals, the most
Il e.al being New York and Alabama.
: 20 property was in such run down
condition that ii would require Il large
SAN to rehabilitate il. In the state of
affairs which Supervened nothing what
g ~ could be done. The first CLEAN of
Eapc came in q peculiar way. BY some
U,ucCoCntable blunder 4 small boat be-
lnginE TO the association was confis-
Gated by the government When the
matter was adiudicated the associa-
tl3a WAS awarded 1000 damages. This
SUM. t-iGinE as it was, was put to good
Use in checking SEINE Of the most ruin
oos features of the decay, and when
the war was ended contributions were
forthcoming in satisfactory sums. The
expense of Keeping the estate in order
is now met largely by the admission
fees. Since about 100000 persons visit
Mount Vernon annually. it will he seen
that these fees amount to large sum.
No matter how often one has visited
tie spot. 1t never ceases to bc interest
ing. There are hundreds of pilgrims
who appear annually. and they always
find something To repay them. There
is an indcscribable fascination in wan
dering through the halls and chambers
where walked. ate, slept and drank the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-21
Marrow Escape
From q Sailors
Career - q

torrent. He was appointed one of the
six delegates sent from Virginia to the
first Continental congress. Immediately
upon his arrival he was chosen by that
body as commander in chief of the Con-
tinental army. The acceptance of the
trust involved a tremendous sacrifice.
Sitting in the congress the strong man
paled yisibIy, and his lip quivered. He
realized that It was the most momen-
tous crisis that he had ever faced
There is no doubt whatever that he
hesitated, and il was not TO his dis
credit Finally, however, he decided
and uttered few modest words OF ac-
ceptance.
The winter of 177G-T7 brought anoth-
er crisis in the life of the man who
had become the foremost personality in
America. BY March l he had driven
every British soldier and Hessian mer-
ccnary from New Jersey, but tEa fol-
lowing campaign was disastrous al
most to the verge Of desperation. Dur
ing that joyous holiday season preced-
ing tie winter at Valley Forge, when
the infant republic was ready TO &C
claim Washington as its supreme hero
congress met and conferred upon its
victorious commander in chief powers
which were practically dictatorial. He
might levy troops or undertake any
military operation whenever he liked.
He might. if he had chosen, have pro
claimed himself supreme head of the
government. There Is abundant evi-
dence that he was urged 10 declare
himself sovereign by some of the most
influential men in the country.
There were reasons why Washington
should hesitate. Pure patriot that he
was, he had no ambition beyond the
salvation Of his country. It had come
10 his ears with unquestionablc direct
ness that conspiracy was under way
the ultimate aim of which was TO re
move him from power and overthrow
the government. He knew that the
rankest treachcry had Il firm abiding
place in his own military household
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-21

great central personality concerned II
the evolution of the republic. Accord.
ing TO modern requirements, measured
by the tastes which the present gen.
Grafton has developed, Mount Vernon
would be an exceedingly uncomfortable
dwelling place. and one cannot avoid
suspecting that the Washingtons may
have found it 50. The mansion is
roomy, but the interior is most awk
wardly subdivided. The rooms OF
Washington and his wife were in the
south end Of the building. They were
reached by side hall on the east. &c
enter the bedrooms on the north il was
necessary TO pass through the rooms
opening from the main hall. and that
must have been rather embarrassing
when the house was filed with guests.
which was 50 frequently the case. The
kitchen was remote from the dining
room, and there were no devices to
insure warm food and prompt service.
If the furniture now exhibited at
Mount Vernon is fair sample of the
kind used by its original owners It
needs no further explanation when il is
related that the Washlngtons kept very
early hours. 1t is neither beautiful nor
comfortable. The huge mahogany bed
steals were 80 lofty that they were
provided with pair OF steps. and il
required both Gaze and skill to reach
ones pillow at night and to leave II In
the morning. The small attic chamber
in which Martha Washington breathed |
her last is almost pitiful I'm its lack
Of creature comfort. 1t is said that she |
refused - occupy a more comfortable |
sleeping room because from the little /
dormer window OF the attic chamber /
she could see the first tomb of her il |
lUstriOus husband.
GEORGE L. CARD.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-21

that some of his hitherto trusted gen
erals were In the plot. The unfortunate
summer of 177T gave strength to the
scheme to put Gates in Washington's
place. General Gates brilliant victory
over Burgoyne at Saratoga and Wash
inStons hardships in PENNSYLVANIA
made the plot we'll nigh effective, but
Washington's lofty Indifference and
the fortunate sequel to Valley Forge
brought reaction, and the conspiracy
was ended.
Once more at least in the career Of
the great Soldier-president was there
occasion for the most transcendent pa
thence and good Judgment. The bitter
and long continued quarrel between
Jefferson and Hamilton was the source
of infinite disQuietude to the president.
He admired both men greatly and
could not make up his mind to dis
pense with the services of either. The
quarrel was of such n far reaching and
implacable nature that it was liable
at any moment to plunge the new gov
eminent into peril. No statesman was
ever before placed in a more trying
position. \ word or movement from
him might have precipitated revolu-
ton. The spirit of INSTRUMENTATION and
tUmult was in the air. To have broken
with either Of these antagonistic forces
would have sprung the mine, and to
avoid rupture demanded the skill Of
the most clever diplomat. But Wash
inc1on withstoOd the trial. The DELHI
erately planned insults of Jederson's
friends and the not too reserved per-
sonal comments of the impulsive Ham
ilton were alike poweTless TO destroy
the exquisite dignity of his attitude.
ALBERT J. CHAUNCEY.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-21
THE TOMB OF wAsHINGToN ct hoUNT VERNON.

! the loving perpetuatiOn of it's noblest
| memory. For one thing. Il complete sys-
| ten of hot water heating has been in
! PRODUCED. This not only warns the
/ mansion, but also the outbuildings and
! conservatorics. Tie boiler room, which
I is IL least 400 feet from the house. is
entirely subterranean. and SO are the
pipes. For the old mansion itself in
direct radiation is employed, the heat
being carried from the cellar through
grills in the fTeplaccs to the rooms
above. In this way the heating proc
ess IS concealed. aEd there is 10 sug-
GcstiOn Of modern improvement TO con-
fict with the colonial atmosphere of
the spot.
\ few years ago the st;.,e of Texas
erected n handsome gateway and lodge
at the north entrance to the estate. and
the condition of the park is being i'm
proved constantly. one OF the most
interesting reservations of recent years
has been that of the old family kitch-
en-. which IS now precisely as it was
in the days when Mrs. Washington
maintained such Il rigid oversight of its
management 1t Is a quaint apartment
Il
walls and ceiling. and it is connected
with the mansion by a covered colon
made. The entire east side of the room
is occupied by a great fireplace. which
Is fitted with an antiqUated revolving
spit which is worked with a chain and
windlass. Several pieces OF Kitchen
ware which We're in service when Mrs.
Washington gave her famous dinners
have been found in collections and re
stored 10 their former habitat.
AS time has demonstrated. the most
fortunate thing that ever happened 20
the precious old relic was the guardian
ship assumed by the Mount Vernon
Ladies' association. 1t is not agreeable
to speculate upon the fate which might
have befalIen the property had its res
cue been delayed. Lacking the thrift
and energy Of their illustriOus ancestor
Washingt0n's descendants were per
hitting the estate to revert 20 con
dltlon OF primitive disorder. The land
was untitled. tie mansion and other
buildings were falling into decay. and
the owner John Augustine Washing
ton. gave all Of his time TO the appar-
entity hopeless task OF persuadlns con
cress or the state Of Virginia to pur-
chase the property and maintain it as
q national or state museum At this
present time It Is not easy TO account
FOR the hesitation either Of congress or :
OF the state Of Virginia II was Ger
talnly not because either Of them was
ignorant OF the v.retched state OF neg
lect into which the property had been I
suffered to fail. for that was patent to (
the entire country. and distinguished !
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-21

OF the youngster and proud of his phys
ical perfection. so in contrast with his
own feeble body He was also an en-
thusiastic admirer of the royal navy,
land he advocated the acceptance OF
1.-THE commission with all the energy he
Icould command George, too. entered
Into the project with the yehemence of
youth. He declared that nothing could
have met his inclination more exactly
THAN the opportunity 10 become an ad-
miral.
Mrs. Washington. however, saw no
INERT whatever in the commission. She
was OF Il markedly practical turn OF
mind. and the exploits of deep sea
heroes did not appeal to her. Though
a mild hammered woman. Mrs. Wash
dngton was endowed with great firm
mess OF character. Disregarding the
persuasive eloquence OF her stepson and
iunmoved by the rebellious tears OF the
future Father of His Country. she vetoed
the proposition. In after years it was
one OF Washingtons most comforting
memories that he had stihed his yearn-
Iings for the sea life and had accepted
his mothers decision as final.
A few years later. when Washington
had risen To the dignity OF major of a
troop OF Virginia militia. his invalid
Ihalf brother was again the indirect
Imeans of precipitating crisis which
came wocfuily near putting an end 10
his favorite's career. The disease with
(which the elder Washington was af-
lflicted made such progress that he was
ordered by his physicians 10 seek a
more hospitable climate. He selected
Barbados and insisted on IL that George
should be his companion In exile. The
latter had entered upon the study Of
military tactics with great enthusiasm,
but gave up his commission willingly
and went to the West Indies with the
dying man. Lawrence was quickly
lcarried OF by the torrld July heat OF
barbados, and before George could take
ship for home he was stricken with
smallpox in a virulent form. He HOY
erred between life and death for four
weeks, but eventually recovered.
At the outbreak of the Revolution
Washington was recognized as the
Heading man in Virginia. and he was
undoubtedly the wealthiest subject in
1.-THE colonies. Self interest constrained
him TO keep aloof from the various Sc
dictionary enterprises which were pre-
lliminary TO the great final plunge. and
The preserved a dignified silence as long
las he could. He had the most profound
respect for lawful authority and Was
laverse TO a resort 10 arms If il could
he avoided IN any way. NotwiChstsnd-
ing his conservatism he was carried
along by the rising tide until he found
himself In the maddest whirl OF the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-21
Washington and the Negro.

Washington. ike almost every other
landed proprietor In the early days Of
the republic, WAS a slave owner. but
be was always 4 kind and conslderate
master. He publicly sympathlzed with
tie antislaveTy agitation Of 1870, ex-
pressing his desire 70 see the system
exunguisLed by some just and equlta-
bic method At tie time Of his death
Washington possessed 124 slaves,
whom he directed IN his VIII should be
cinancipated upon the death Of his
wife Washington's VIII also contain
ed an Injunction upon his heirs TO care
for such Of the maBumitted slaves as
were old or decrcpit ~ long as they
should live and 10 ioJI, out for the or
pha1s until they should be able 10 look
out fer Themselves To one slave. HIS
'-mulaito man. William Lee. he gave
inInesiate freedom. with an annuity
for life Of $50.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-21
Turning Points In e.: e.: -: -: ::
: &c.: Il: WashingtOn's Life
conspiracy TO
II ave Cater
6upplAEt Hin

~ HERE are. of course, various
critical happenings I'm the
- lives Of all individuals. how
ever obscure. which may be
regarded as turning points in their ca
'reers. In the Uneventful lives Of the
great majority these crises pass ur-
noticed, or at least unrecorded. It is
only In the cases Of those who have
become famous that these character
building occasions are recalled and put
to biographical use
IN his early youth George Washing
ton was athletic. with a decided pref
erence for rather violent outdoor exer-
else and an equally pronounced distaste
for mental occupation. He is reputed
to have been far more serious in his
de1neanor than is usual for boys of his
age, but ii was not the seriousness
which accompanies the studious tenn
permanent. 1t IS not improbable that
this unnistakable Discrimination to be
taught from books was due in a meas
! ure to the crude methods Of teaching
which prevailed in tire new part Of
Virginia IN which the Washingtons
lived
During this formative stage, when the
boy WAS FESTIVE and wholly out of sym
lpathy with the conditions which sur
rounded him. an event occurred which
might have made of present day Amer
leans loyal and contented subjects of
Edward VII. Lawrence Washington.
Georges hale brother. was a captain
iof Virginia troops, under Admiral Yer
non, in the expedition against CartI-
lgena. Lawrence was companionablc
man, genial and witty, although in
wretched health, and he became Il
favoritc of the doughty admiral whom
he in turn admired greatly, as was ey-
lidenced by the fact that when he re-
turned TO his plantation on the 20
Itomac he rechristened il Mount Vernon.
To show his friendship for the Virginia
captain the admiral offered to obtain Il
midshipman's commission for his young
half brother. Lawrence was very fond
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-21
Mount Vernon the f.: :s:::::
- Il: s s. :: American Mecca
Loving Care of
The Nation

~EW changes are perceptible ut
Mount Vernon from year to
~ year Every sign of decay is
obliterated as soon as it APP
pears. and the places in which it is eN-
pected to show are kept under constant
surveillance. All the changes that oc-
cur are for the better. OF course the
natural beauty of the historic spot in
crcaSeS as time moves on, and every
tender aid that can contribute anything
TO the process is freely given. Every
year the tires which Washington plant
ed gain tritie in girth and stature and
the shadows beneath their compact
greenery become denSer and more far
reaching. The four giant sentinelS
which guard the west entrance We're
put there 10y the hand Of Washington
about century ago. Two of them are
ash and two are poplar. and eaoh is a
perfect specimen of its kind
1t is fact that Mount Vernon is be
coming more and more the great Ameri-
can Mecca. Increased facilities for
reaching il have no doubt contributed
10 its growing popularity. but even
We're it beyond Sahara there would
* ~ OAAtl ~ I44-l Al--slSC. II - lilC Oilc
shrine toward which loyal hearts are
always turning. and that sentiment is
constantly growing stronger. Multi
fold IS the attractions OF the capital
undoubtedly are. they are insufficient
10 delay the pilgrim on his way TO
Mount Vernon. Formerly the visitor
TO the estate went by water, and the
sail consumed the better part OF Il day,
Now one may take an electric car ana
be landed at the entrance 20 the
grounds within an hour.
Within the last few years there have
been q number Of renovationS and i'm
pTovcments They have been effected
so quietly and 50 gradually that they
would scarcely be noticed by fire.
quent visitor but one who had return
ed after Il long absence would be graft
fled II discover many indications that
the nation was not growing weary OF
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-21
The First ELECTION.

New York was not reckoned a pivotal
state when George Washington was
elected first president Of the United
States. The Empire State was not even
represented in the electoral college
having passed no election law. Rhode
Island and North Carolina had not
adopted the constitution. 50 only ten
Of the thirteen original states PARTED
pated in the balloting OF 1889. There
were then seventy-one electors. each Of
whom voted for two candidates for
president. The candidate receiving the
highest vote was declared president.
the next highest vice president George
Washington received 60 votes. John
Adams "a; John jay OF New York re-
ceivcd . votes. r. II. Harrison Of Ma
ryland c. Several others had one 10
four votes In 1892 fifteen states were
represented In the college. with 1876
electors Washington received 49,
votes. and John Adams was again sec
Ond. with 71 votes.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-02-21
Weak, Nervous,
WOr.. Out Women
9Iood!ess, irritable, Despondent Won
en-, Subject to Al Sorts and Va
retieS CT Nervous Troubles,
Find 4 Positive Cure in
Or. a. w. CHASE'S
NERVE PILLS

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The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-14
BUILD REFINERY.
Kansas City to Have Plant to
Refine Fuel Oil.
$75O,OOO Project Said to Have
Been Financed.
PIPE LINE CONNECTION.
Securing Contracts With Kansas
Oil Producers.
Investigation of the Standard
Begun in Ohio.

Kansas City, March 14.-If the
plans of eastern capitalists are carried
out an Independent oil refinery for
the production of fuel oil will be built
in Kansas City. The refinery will have
a pipe line connection with the Kan
sas oil fields J. B. and A L. Levy,
with Offices in the Fidelity Trust build
ing, are seeking to obtain assurances
from producers of permanent supply
OF oil, and have addressed a circular
letter to oil men in the North Neode-
sha field outlining the plan and ask
ing for a meeting to discuss the mat
ter at an early date in this city. In
the letter the promoters say they
have obtained the money to construct
the refinery and pipe line and all that
is necessary to set the project going
is guarantee of a permanent supply
of petroleum.
Should an agreement be reached
with the producers the promoters as
sert the refinery and pipe line will be
in operation by July Is.
The plans of the Levys call for an
outlay of three-quarters of a million
dollars They say a market may be
established here for more than 10000
barrels of crude oil per day, and al
ready they have assurances of con-
tracts sufficient to consume at least
10000 barrels of fuel oil per day. In
order to make Kansas oil practica BILE
Tor fuel purposes it is necessary to put
1t through a light distilling process,
making of the crude oil about 20 per
cent OF d1Stllate, for which there is
an open market, and 10 per cent of
the best fuel oil.
The Levys are Ohio men and for
many years have been engaged in the
oil producing business. During the
past Two years they have been deVOt-
ing attention to the Kansas fields J.
B. Levy is president of the Garnett
Gas company of Garnett, Kan. He is
also associated with company now
putting gas into Fort Scott and is at
the head of corporation called the
National Drilling company which has
operated extensively in the Kansas
fields He is q connection of Jefferson
NJ Levy of New York, former con-
gresham and owner of Thomas JEFF
ferson's home at Monticello, and one
of the Wealthiest Jews in the country.
Jefferson NJ. Levy and his friends or
ganized the Manhattan Oil company
operating near Lima, o.. and put IN
three or four million dollars. They
put up the price of oil, their refineries
had contracts ahead. and they were
making some money Suddenly it was
discovered that the Lima Oil company
had obtained control of a majority of
the stock and then it developed that
the Lima Oil company. was controlled
by the Standard. The subsequent pro-
a short time and then they were put
clear out of business. They have
been nursing a sore spot ever since,
waiting to get eVen- The laws passed
by the last Kansas legislature gave
them chance to play back.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-14
PoRT ARTHUR PIPELINE.
Chanute Oil Men Want to Be Sure the
Standard Is Not Behind 1t.

Chanute Kan. March 1.-THE producers
held a meeting last night to CONSIDER the
project for pipe line to Port arthur a
banker of this city says he has solo 70
pany, an English concern operating large
~ at Beaumont and in the RUSSIAN nelQs'
seven and a half million dollars IN Donds
The company desires to see the pipe me
production and to have 100000 acres IN ap-
proved leases, and then the money VIII oe
forthcoming. it is said The production mas
been nearly all pledged and the uoupiS
now is on the approved leases II Woul1
be easy to get the leases, but the approval
will have to be made by an agent OF the
English syndicate. The company is to be
Incorporated for fourteen and a haif Inll-
lion dollars and the stock is to be taken
by the producers to be paid for IN OIL, a
certain percentage being taken out of each
weeks run The National Bank of Com
merce at Kansas City is the trustee ana
transfer agent It is thought BY the pro
moterS that they will be able to begin
their construction of the line within 50
days The line will be $50 miles long. II
will have a, capacity of $4,000 barrels OF OIL
per day. The Cudahys and John w. Gates
are said to be interested in the scheme
fnery at Beaumont, which is controlled
by the Gates interest.
Though the producers are in favor of a
pipe line to the gulf they are going slow
for their production for any length of
time, unless they know that there is no
possibility Of the company selling out to
the Standard and making the situation
the past three months. Assurances are be-
ing given to this effect, but the producers
are conducting investigation and if the
result is SatiSfa ctOry there will not be the
slightest trouble IN getting all the leases
or all the oil necessary to make the lines a
certainty