davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04

round It.
just over the Virginia line, about a
dozen miles from Claymount, stands Aud
ley. another of the historic homes of the
Washingtons. The house was built by
a member of the Washington family, but
was later transferred to Lawrence Lewis,
who married Nelly CustIs, the adopted
daughter and favorite of General Wash
ington. Mrs. Lewis, nee Custis, spent
most of the time prior to the death of
her husband at a manor house near
Mount Vernon on the Potomac, but when
she was widowed she removed to Audley.
The house at Audley Is a one-story struct-
ure. with ~round-hoor plan suggestive
of the letter H The entire front of the
house is given over to drawing-room and
dining room, while Sthe sleeping apart
ments are in the other section Of the
house, the two sections being connected
by a long broad hall. Other Washing
ton houses in this neighborhood include
BIakeley House. originally owned by
John Augustine Washington. great
nephew of George Washington, and Meg
vile Place. which once a part of
Hardwood.
Kenmore. famous rs the home of Betty
Washington lewis. the only sister of
George Washington. Is at Fredericksburg.
Va. Inasmuch as Kenmore was built in
1749 by Col. Fielding Lewis with the
express purpose of enabling his bride,
Betty Washington. to realize her ambition
to have for her home the most magnifi-
cent residence in the Old Dominion, 1t
may readily be imagined that the house
is a most exceptional one In many re-
spects. Years were devoted to the build
ing of this homestead. Indeed, no interior
decorations were provided until after the
Revolutionary War. when all the rooms
were beautifully ornamented by a British
soldier, prisoner parole
The ceilings of ali the rooms on the
first floor were embellished with delicate
and intricate decorations in plaster, and
these are today apparently in as perfect
condition the day they were completed
The same treatment was employed In the
ornaInentation of the open hrepIaces in
the house. In the Iibrary the plaster
decoration of the fireplace. represents one
of Aesop's fables, ard this subject was
suggested by George Washington. After
the death of Mrs. Lewis, Kenmore passed
into the hands of the Gordons and was
by them transferred to the Towards, in
the possession of which latter family it
has remained up to- the present time.
Mary Washington, the mother of the
American liberator, died at Kenmore, but
she maintained her own home in Freder-
icksburg and insisted upon remaining IN
der her own roof until stricken with her
last illness, when her daughter had her
removed to Kenmore.
However, Mount Vernon, located the
! irginia shore Of the Potomac River. 10
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04

The mansion above mentioned. Hare
wood House. is situated about three
miles northwest of Charleston n. and was
built in 1756-175S, the construction extend
ing over the three years Not only was
historic Hardwood built by George Wash
ington and long used his summer home.
but it was here that James and Dolly
Madison were married and the stately
structure repeatedly sheltered Marquis de
Lafayette and Louis Philippe. afterward
King of France. However, from the
standpoint of the present day visitor the
house. now in the possession of John Au-
gustine Washington, a lineal descendant
of Samuel Washington. is not quite so
satisfying as some of the other homes of
the Washingtors by reason of the fact
that 1T has practically fallen into decay
and has lost many OF its historic furnish
ings.
The best memento OF Washington and
the most vivid reminder of the glories of
bygone days is found in another Wash
ington home-Claymount, situated two
miles south Of Hardwood. on the Win
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04

chester read. and which is in a perfect
state of preservation and suggestive of
both the architecture and furnishings of
colonial days. The estate at Claymount,
comprising land which once belonged to
the Father of His Country. originally In
cluded several thousand acres, but was
divided and subdivided among Washing
toms heirs until the tract now comprises
only about $50 acres. more than one-third
of which is covered with n magnificent
forest.
Claymount mansion was built in 1920 by
Bushrod Washington, a son of the gen.
erals nephew, to whom the property had
been left but the building was construct
ed in accordance with plans drawn by
George WASHINGTON himself The de-
scendants of BusErod Washington occu-
pied Claymount for more than half i
century, but in 1899 the historic estate
passed into the possession of Frank r.
Stockton, the well-known novelist, who
resided there until his death, a short time
ago
The hall In this mansion. as in most of
the manor houses in the designing or con-
struction of which George Washington
had hand. Is very spacious. At Clay
mount the apartment is parallel with the
front Of the house and 40 feet in length
by 20 feet In width. The walls are
wainscoted In oak. the deliberately
carved panels extending 70 the ceiling.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04

family which are located in the Shenan-
doah Valley are the most interesting of
these houses, with the single except. n
of Mount Vernon, which, of course. will
always hold first place in the affections
OF the American people. The whole ter
ritory of which CharleStown, w. Va.
is the center is of especial interest," for
George Washington made the original
surveys of all this land for Lord Fair
fax, and here. on a commanding site fac
ing the Blue Ridge Mountains. he built
Hardwood Mansion for his eldest brother
Samuel. George Washington spent fully
three years in the Valley of the Shenan-
doah and the adjacent country, constantly
extending his surveys and gradually be-
came the largest landed proprietor in
what was then Virginia. Moreover, ap-
preciating the value of the land about
Charlestown. the man who was to rank
as the greatest American induced his
brothers, Samuel. John and Charles, to
purchase immense tracts of the land,
which was then obtainabIe at ridicuIousIy
low prices.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04

which is finished In the same wood. Open
ing from the hall opposite the maih en-
trance are the library and drawing-room
and through an arch under n graceful
staircase a passage leads to the dining
room. adjoining which is an ante-room
known as the tea-room.
The masterpiece of the house, and l.
great tribute to Washington's skill as
an architect, is the study which adjoins
the library. This apartment occupies the
full width of the building and conse
1uently has windows on three sides
large fireplace occupies either end of the
room novel arrangement of this house
Is found in the arrangement of the doors.
almost all of whit are made to slide into
apertures In the walls instead of being
hinged. Ciaymount also has Its .mys-
terry" known as the ''cell of the sunken
cupboard The cell is a dungeonlike
apartment In the basement. or rather
several feet below the level Of the base
ment, and it has no window or opening
of any kind save one narrow doorway.
Almost the entire space In the cell Is
taken up by an Immense sdeboard, elab-
orately carved. Obviously. this massive
piece of furniture could never have been
taken through the narrow doorway, but
must have been placed IN its present
position and deliberately encased by the
construction of the saEid walls which sur
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04
ZARLET on RA1E oF5ZATUE

Va. This historic building affords n
worthy setting for the most valuable
piece of sculpture in the new world. The
structure has recently been enlarged by
the addition of wings, but the main por-
ton original structure remains just as
1T was designed by Thomas Jefferson,
while minister to France. The general
idea OF the capitol was suggested to him
by a famous Roman temple of antiquity.
and he sent home model and plans from
which the building was constructed.
Work began in 17S5. and the edihce was
completed in 1892.
The duplicate in plaster of the Houdon
statue, which is to be found in Statuary
Hall at the United States Capitol at
Washington cost Sc, 200, and came into
possession of the nation through the good
Offices of Thomas Jefferson. Stntuary
Hall, In which it occupies a conspicuous
place, and which has been aptly termed
the American Westminster Abbey, is
scmicircular in shape and was designed
after a Greek theater. 1t is universally
regarded one of the most beautiful
rooms In the home of the legislative
branch of our government. At the north
side of the hall is colonnade of marble
columns with white capitals and screen
of similar columns on the south side fur
nishes a support for a noble arch. The
domed ceiling is decorated in accordance
with the plan followed in the Roman
Pantheon.
This room, now filled with statues. some
contributed by various states and others
deposited by the national government,
was formerly the hall of representatives
of Webster, Clay, Adams, Calhoun and
other giants of early Congresses. A
plate set in the marble floor marks the
spot where John Quincy Adams fell
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04

stricken with paralysis as he was about
to address the House. The statue of
Washington has a near neighbor the
only statue of n woman to be found In
this great collection. namely the marble
tribute of the State of Illinois to the
memory of Frances E. Willard, the great
temperance worker.
The creation of Statuary Hall In It's
present form as n place for memorials to
the nations heroes was due to Senator
Morrill,, of Vermont, who. when a mem
1864, made the suggestion that lie room
be SET apart as a national statuary hall
to which each state might send 1.-The
efigies of two of her chosen sons in
marble or bronze to Le placed perma-
nently there" AS yet not nearly all of
the states of the Union have accepted
this invitation OF the national govern
made to the countrys most significant
collection of statues. The hall has ex-
traordinary acoustic properties. whispers
become shouts and persons may converse
with one another, although stationed at
opposite sides of the vast chamber and
speaking In the lowest audible tones. The
variegated marble columns which form so
admirable n background for the statues
contain many astonishing natural pictures.
embOdying not only the forms Of birds and
animals, but even human faces among
which many grave senators have been
amused to find likenesses of themselves or
/ .tirassocintes The cast of Houdon s statue
of Washington may be said to have been
the nucleus of the present great collec-
was owned by the federal government
when Statuary Hall was first created and
was Immediately placed in the new shrine
of patriotism. WALDON FAWCETT.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04

tune of the Revolution. The Virginia
Assembly passed the act providing for this
testimonial in 1854, but the statue was not
erected until 1896.
Its completion came only q few years
prior to the death of Washington, but
sufficient time interviewed to allow to many
friends and admirers close comparison be-
tween the First Gentleman of America and
his marble prototype. and 1t is the testi-
mony of these contemporaries as to the
marvellous accuracy of the likeness that
makes the statue of such exceptional in
terest. Lafayette pronounced it to be "a
fac-simile of Washington's person" and the
great John Marshall said: lit represents
the original as perfectly as a living man
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04

miles south of the city of Washington,
is the most Interesting of the Washing
ton homes. The mansion was built In
1743 by Lawrence, half brother of George
Washington, and on the death of Law
renee and his only daughter, George WASH
ington Inherited the estate and made It
his permanent home almost from the timO
of his marriage in 1853. The mansion
which. while not originally built by the
Fsther of His Country, bears the I'M
press of his hand in innumernbIe improve
ments and additions to the initial struc-
ture, is in charge Of the Mount Yer
non Ladies' Association. II haTing oeen
purchased by the nation In 1850, when
the sum of 500 Geo raised tor the
purpose by popular subscription. INFINITE
care and work and liberal expenditure
of money has resulted in the admirable
preservation of the historic structure, and
even the decorations and furnishings OF
tie va fious rooms have been restored as
nearly as possible to the condition OF
Washingtons time
Arlington, on the Potomac. may also be
rightfully Chased as one of the Washing
ton homes. This estate was long famous
as the home of Gen. Robert F. Lee. OF
the Confederacy. and is now our greatest
national cemetery The mansion at
Arlington, which stands today In a per-
feet state of preservation, was built In
1902 by Washington Parke Custis, son of
John Parke GUSTS, whose widowed
mother married George Washington.
When Col. John Parke Custis died at the
siege of Yorktown. Washington adopted
as his own the two children. one of
whom became the builder of Arlington.
This adopted son was mem Jer of the
Mount Vernon household until after the
death of Mrs. Washington in 1902, when
h removed to his Arlington estate. In
his long and intimate association with
General Washington he adopted many of
the latter's pronounced architectural ideas
which were embodied in the plans for
Arlington.
Yet another of the colonial homes OF
the Washingtons. and from a sentimental
standpoint certainly one of the most in
teresting, is the historic old Woodlawn
mansion, located only a short distance
from Mount Vernon. and built by George
Washington for his beloved adopted
daughter Nellie Custis, who married Law
renee Lewis. The main house Is two
stories and half high and the Interior
hnishings are very beautiful. including
mantels of Cara "A marble. few years
ago Woodlawn was purchased by Paul
Kester, the dramatist, and here he made
his home until a short time ago, when
he sold the estate to Miss Elizabeth Sharp
Of New IarsaD WAI4DON FAWcETD,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04

given the world an immortal example of
true glory. Done in the year of Christ
one thousand seven hundred and eighty
eight and In the year of the Common
wealth the twelfth
1t has been frequently suggested that
the original marble statue. the only one
ever made from Washington's person
should for sentimental reasons have the
place of honor in the White House at
Washington, and 1t is possible that at
sometime in the future this State of
Virginia may show a disposition to trans
fer the marble figure to the home of the
presidents, but for the present it stands
as it has for many decades past in the
r6tnnda of the state capitol at Richmond,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04

On the base of the Houdon statue is
chiseled a feeling tribute to the founder
of the republic which is rendered doubIy
interesting by the fact that 1t was penned
off-hand by James Madison, afterward
president, who Is said to have rested
sheet of paper on his knee while he wrote
this graceful eulogy. The inscription
reads, The General Assembly of the
Commonwealth of Virginia have caused
this statue to be erected monument
of affection and gratitude to George
Washington, who uniting to the endow-
ments of a hero the virtues of the pa
triot, and exerting both in establishing
the liberties of his country, has rendered
his name dear to his fellow citizens and
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04
represented in marble.

could be represented In marble"
George Washington was "a years of age
when Houdon made the mould of his face,
head and chest, which SO aided him in the
faithful delineation of his subject, and It
should be matter of satisfaction to the
present and future generations that this
peculiarly authentic portrayal reflects the
personal appearance of the hero of Valley
Forge and Yorktown as he appeared at
the very climax of his fame. 1t Is also a
matter of interest that Washington him
self suggested the costume which is the
continental uniform which he was accus-
toned TO wear as Communicated chief and
in which he was attired when he resigned
his commission at Annapolis.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-04

u Ow did George Washington really nn-
N pear in the flesh? This is n question
~ which Is bound TO occur repeatedly
TO every person who feels any interest in
the life and personality of America 5
greatest hero The vast majority of the
existing PORTRAITS OF the Father of His
Country are manifestIy so ideaIIzed as
to but add to this natural curiosity
Fortunately for the citizens of the
United States however. there is in cx-
istence one. or rather two presentments
OF the leader of the Revolution which are
so marvelously accurate that Washing
tons closest friends pronounced them
'fac-slmiles'' of the nations FIRST PresI-
dent.
These unique and faithful portrayals
are the white marble statue of Washing
ton which stands on the Virginia State
Capitol. at Richmond. and the plaster
cast, or reproduction. which has the place
OF honor in the National Statuary Hall.
at the United States Capitol. at Wash
ington. d. C. Even had photography
been a known nrt in George Washing
tons time. 1t could have handed down to
posterity no representation of the great
est American half so satisfactory rs
these reproductions of the man, which
are accurate not only IN pose. dress md
expression. but In every physical pro-
portion
This imperishable record of the per-
sonal appearance of the greatest rebel OF
all time as he appeared in the days when
he won independence for his native land
Is the work OF Jean : 1toine Houdon. a
Frenchman and the most famous sculp-
tor of his time. Houdon. who was born
In 1741 and died In 1928, was educated In
Paris and Rome, and early in life won ex-
ceptional fame on both sides of the At
lantic-
The State Of Virginia was always justly
proud Of its most distinguished citizen,
and the Virginia Assembly was one of the
nrst legislative bodies to take action, after
the close of the Revolution, looking to the
provision Of a fitting memorial. A statue
was decided upon and Thomas Jefferson,
who was then our minister to France ar
ranged with Houdon to undertake the
work. In 17s5 the sculptor crossed the
Atlantic with Benjamin Franklin and
1ourneyed to Mount Vernon to obtain at
first hand knowledge and Inspiration for
his task.
At Washington's home every facility was
Afforded the visitor. He resided for weeks
as a member of the family at Mount Yer
non and during this time not only did he
have opportunity to study his subject most
closely, but General Washington permitted
him to make detailed measurements of his
person and to obtain a plaster cast of his
face With this data in his possession
Houdon went to Italy and there chiseled
the original statue which is life size and
represents Washington in the military cos
The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-10-24
DANGER OF PANIC
Confidence Threatened by Heinze
Troubles-Stock Exchange Firms
Fail-Run on Big Banks.

A financial panic has been threaten
Ing New York. and as we go to press
the danger IL acute. One great bank,
the Mercantile National. was found 20
have been put over a million dollars
In debt by It's president, +. A. Helnze.
and was only saved by help from 9TH
er banks. Another. the Knickerbocker
Trust Company, closed after many
depositors had withdrawn money. and
the Trust Company OF America, one OF
the largest In this country. lost the
confidence of It's depositors. so that
thousands OF them tried to get their
money at once. Two big stock deal
ing firms failed.
This does not mean that hard times
are likely. Big business depends on
the confidence of the dealers In GER
tain banks and In each other. There
IL not nearly enough money 10 do the
worlds business. and the banks notes
and business. mems promises 10 pay
are used instead. When men get
lfraid TO trust each other and demand
cash, there is a panic. because men
cannot always get cash for their prop
erty and so are bankrupt. A bank
loans a great deal OF money. and when
ito depositors all at once demand back
what they have put In. the bank Is al
most sure to fail. because II cannot
get the cash from the borrowers soon
enough TO keep on paying.
For that reason confidence is very
needful for business. and Il Is THIS
that is gone In New York. The rou-
BILE was started this time by family
OF people who have much more mon
ey than brains. They are the Heinzes.
end got rich by happening TO have a
copper mine. They have been specu-
lating in copper company otocks. and
involved the banks that they con
trolled. so that when the price OF cop
mar fell. because OF their mismanage-
mont, they could not pay up IL is
thought they lost S65.oOo,ooo They
controlled several banks. which al
most failed. As AL business n bound
up together this made people AFRAID
that other banks would fail, and there
was loss OF confidence"
Nothing In the business conditions
called for any such disturbance, but
Il is possible that the general conai-
lions In the money market, where
loans are made. helped along TINS
market has been unsettled by the men
who are hoping that they can cause
a panic and blame II on the PreSi-
dents fight 20 make the corporations
obey the laws
The present trouble, however seems
only an example OF the danger OF haV-
ing great amounts OF money In the
hands OF gamblers and foolish people.