The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1905-10-19

excursions and great many go as
far down as Norfolk and Fortress
Monroe, a distance of 100 miles from
Washington and an all night trip as
the boats for these places leave at
about six p. m. and arrive about the
same time the next morning.
The principal short day excursions
are to Mt. Vernon, Marshall Hall and
River View. There are several smaller
and not very select river outing spots
within easy reach and at little
expense.
The river itself is worth any of these
trips for no matter how yellow and
sluggish it laps the old-time wharves
of Georgetown and the not much
better appearing landings at the city's
edge, it always ripples like so much
quicksilver before it gets very far
away.
Inhabitants of cities with busy
water fronts laugh at the harbor of
Washington, but it is very picturesque
in its primitive way. There is a
laziness and a summer ease abous the
shipping here and even the getting
away of the big steamers is round
about matter. They back out into
the willow trees lining the reclaimed
flats-which some day will be turned
into a lovely riverside park-then
amidst great ringing of bells and
reversing of engines the boat finally
points it's bow down stream. 1t passes
first on its way the Arsenal Grounds,
which is on a neck of land between
the Anacostia river-named from the
Necostin tribe Of Indians-and the
Potomac.
1t is here that the New War College
is being built and the famous statue
of Frederick the Great, lately presented
to this government by Emperor
William, is being erected.
Here too you are reminded of a
rather unpleasant historical event, for
underneath those trees in the centre of
the grounds Mrs. Surratt and other
famous prisoners were hung.
High up on hill in Anacostia
stands st. Elizabeth, the home for the
insane. 1t looks like an old castle in
its nest of green trees.
The little point of land at the base
of this hill was in the days of long
ago the favorite picnic grounds Of
Washingtonians, reached by way of
ferry; and long before that it was the
meeting place of all the Indian tribes
along the banks of the Potomac from
the Susquehanna to the James rivers.
Here they met in solemn conclave and
smoked their pipes of peace.
A little further down stream a stop
is made at old historic Alexandria,
Va. This is another deserted town
where grass grows over the grave of a
once flourishing commerce. Here
Col. Ellsworth met his tragic death,
and the inhabitants frowned under
the federal control that followed.
After passing Alexandria the river,
which is over a mile wide here, widens
gradually on its way to the sea.
Soon one comes in sight of the forti-
fications that guard the city, and ac-
cording to modern methods of build
ing forts, there is little signs of the
real nature of the place from the river.
The banks are green and slope gently
to the rivers edge and they look like
harmless hillsides.
Hank! Why rings the bell upon the
boat with such dirge-like sound?
Upon the green banks at your right.
cleaning midst the hallowed sheen.
you turn and see the Mecca of the
Free, MT. Vernon, the resting place
Of Washington, and no boat passes
that sacred spot without the tolling of /
the bell.
Marshall Hail, the old home of the
Marshall family, is ON the Maryland
side OF the river, almost opposite Mt.
Vernon. This is the favorite stopping
place of excursionists from the CITY.
The old homestead is still in a good
state of preservation and affords a de-
lightful shelter in case Of StoryoS ~