Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1906-08-17
NOTES BY THE WAY
Continued from Last Week.
Mrs. II. E. Kozer Writes Entertain
lngly Of Her Visit to Washington
Home at Mount Vernon.

AS rthe furnishings of the different
rooms, can only tell of few most
prominent features The East Parlor,
or music room, contains harpsi-
chord, imported from London at cost
of $1,000 as a bridal present from
Washington to Nellie Custis; a silver
mounted, rosewood flute; card table
on which Washington and Lafayette
played whist; a guitar and music
book. In the cabinet are blue and
gold dishes, presented by Lafayette
spectacles, champagne glasses, punch
bowl; a satin belt worn by one OF the
5000 schoolgirls who, in 1924, well
coined Lafayette; spoons, shoe buck
les, button from military uniform,
lock of Washington's hair, and many
other objects which perhaps would be
more interesting to see than read
about. The furniture is upholstered
in musical and floral designs.
In the West Parlor, the window
cornices and curtain bands are relics
of the days before Washington came
to live here. The rug was made by
order Of Louis XVI Of France for
General Washington. 1t is OF dark
green ground; in the center is the
American eagle, surrounded with
stars. A white enamel chair, with
pink and cream brocaded satin, came
from the birthplace of Lafayette,
Chateau de Chavagniac).
In the Library, we note, not without
curiosity, the titles of the books which
made upthe reading Of the Muster Of
Mount Vernon as soldier, statesman
and farmer Within the bookcase is
the silver inkstand, with silver snuff
fers and tray. Among other relics is a
surveyors tripod, French clock, and
foot-bench formerly in pew of Old
Trinity Church in New York.
The family dining room is adorned
with Chippendale sideboard, CON
tanning some of the Mount Vernon
China. The China IN the corner cup
board is reproduction Of the set pre-
sented to Mrs. Washington by the
officers Of the French fleet in 1892
Each piece is inscribed with the mono
gram M W." in a wreath Of olive
and laurel, and with chain whose
links contain the names Of the Is
states of the period On the mantel
over the fireplace is bust of Wash
ington with the jewel of a Grand
Master Mason. On the wall hangs a
large frame containing the portraits
of go Generals of the Revolution.
In the Banquet Hall, the central
ornament is the mantelpiece of Sienna
marble, carved in Italy and presented
to Washington by gentleman Of
London. The story goes that, on its
way to America, the mantel was si,zed
by French pirates, who sent it to it's
destination when they learned that it
belonged to Washington. The panels
are carved to representpastoraI scenes.
The stucco ceiling is the originsl.
Designs symbolical OF agriculture are
suggestive that the host who presided
there was himself farmer. On a
mahogany, claw-foot dining table are
the glass and silver used on occasions
of state dinners.
The upper rooms are full Of interest
ing relics of Colonial days. The room
in which General Washington died is
south bedroom. The furniture is
that which was used by him. the bed
stead being the one upon which he
died. The mahogany chair and table,
large chair which belonged to Wash
ington's mother, the hair-cloth coach
chest with the initials "G. W." and
the date ''1775, are in this room.
After the death of General Wash
ington, the south bedroom was closed.
in accordance with a custom OF the
time, to be left vacant for the space OF
three years, and Mrs. Washington
occupied the room directly above,
choosing it because the window over
looked the grave of her husband.
Here she died.
Lafayette Room is the one which the
Marquis occupied when guest. A
walnut stand in this room was made
from wood from the estate of Robert
Morris. The River Room contains a
chair which came to America with the
Mayfiower. The bedstead was used
by Washington in Pennsylvania in
I777. In one of the window panes,
more than 100 years ago, one of Mrs.
Washington's grandchildren cut with
a diamond her name and the date,
August 2, 1892, and here it is today.
In the Connecticut Room may be
seen an old-fashioned fre-screen, with
an adjustable frame which may be
raised or lowered at pleasure. The
English bedstead in the Florida Room
was brought to this country by way
Of Bermuda. The mahogany chairs