The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1905-08-12
(For I,,terInountain CatholicD )


Monticello. the home of Thomas JEFF
Ferson. is located in the center of the
state of Virginia. three miles from
charlottesville. The little mountain
AIonticello) on top of which the home
stands is covered with a dense forest
After following the course of the
Rivanna, a muddy and treacherous
stream. for a mile, the ascent of the
mountain begins. The first point OF
interest shown US by the driver, an old
b11t we'll informed darkie, was Jeffer-
sons secret riding path. This path is
a perfect labyrinth, winding in every
direction and doubling on itself again
and again Many persons have been
lost there, including Jefferson himself,
but IL was his delight when restless or
weighed down by great questions of
state to spend half a day in it, and
finally. awakening from his brown
study to give the reins TO his trusty
steed, who would bring him safely
home. Further up the road. before the
house can be seen, is the graveyard OF
the Randolphs and Taylors. Here is
the grave of Thomas Jefferson, sur
mounted by a single shaft, erected by
the government of the United States,
and bearing the following inscription:
HERE WAS BURIED
THOMAS JEFFERSON
AUTHOR OF THE
DECLARATION
AMERICAN INDEPENDENCE
OF THE
STATUTE OR VIRGINIA
FOR
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
AND FATHER OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
BORN APRIL 2, 1143. Q. ).
DIED JULY 4, 1896
The graveyard is surrounded by
strong iron fence, eight feet high;
While it is in charge of the United
states. the Randolphs and Taylors, two
of fhe most distinguished Virginia
families. and nearest relatives Of JET
ferson. have privilege Of burying their
dead there.
After gathering some sprays as
mementos of this memorable visit we
started for the top of the mountain.
When we arrived at the lodge a little
colored boy of six years opened the
great gate for US, and doffed his hat
with Chesterfieldian politeness as we
passed through. ] gave him a dime
for that bow on our way back, and was
rewarded with another bow and an eN-
pansive smile in the bargain. After we
had passed through the gate, the little
fellow went into the lodge, and rang
three times a clear and most sonorous
hell to give notice that there were
strangers within the sacred precincts.
was told that this custom of an
the arrival Of visitors had
obtained since the time Of Jefferson.
When we first reached the house we
hardly took notice of it. for all around
us lay what seemed to be a veritable
paradise For forty, fifty and even
sixty miles lay stretched out before us
a wonderful panorama. the fairest |
Landscape in Virginia. We could then |
the lofty character of JEFF |
ferson. The vast eXpanse of field and |
forest, the lofty altitude, and then the |
old mansion, surrounded and hidden |
by body guard of stately oaks. No
more inspiring scene could be i'm
agined.
The mansion is built in the old |
colonial style, in the shape of a cross, |
and with an intermixture Of French !
which Jefferson admired |
so much. In the south wing is.the room |
In which Jefferson died. In the east |
wing is the state chamber for honored |
guests that was occupied by Lafayette |
when he was here on a visit in 1924. |
The furniture of both of these rooms |
has been left unchanged. The rest of |
the mansion has been furnished in |
exclusively French style by its present |
owner Mr.. Jefferson Levi. who bought
the estate some years ago for a sum