The log cabin Democrat., 1909-11-09

ed on Mount McGregor ana - now known as the Grant cot tage, has been open to the pup lie. It remains today as when last occupied by this illustrious chieftaln. The bed where the last few hours or his life were spent and on which ne died: the chairs in which, owing to his inability to lie down, he passed so many weary hours and in which ne slept, are all left as they were when last occupied by him. There are four rooms now open to the publlc-what might be called the reception room' the dining room immediately adJoin- ing, the sick room,' where he slept in the chairs above mentioned ana where he received the ministratlons ol his physicians, and the room occupied by his secretary as an office, writes f. F. Knapp, a trustee of the Mount MIG Gregor Memorial association, in the Troy (N. Y) Times.
 Since the death of Gen. Grant this cottage has been visited by many thousand people. It is safe to say that they number at least 100000, and they have come from every state Tn our union and every civilized country on the face of the globe. During the present year it has been visited by persons from California, Missouri, North Dakota, Washington. Oregon, Mississippi, Texas, Illinois, lndlana' Ohio. Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary land, Virginia, South Carolina, Geor- gia, Florida New Jersey, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Maine and Iowa, and by parties representing every locality in our own state of New York. People have also visited this cottage rom England, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Canada. Cuba, Porto Rico and Bermu- da. Judging from the comments made by these many thousands of visitors II is doubtful if any other historic shrine in this country holds closer place ln the affections of the people at large.
 It is probably well known that this cottage was originally owned by Jo- seph w. DreXel of New York, and II was owing to his generosity that Gen Grant occupied it for several weeks previous to his death. It is equally well known that after the death or Gen. Grant this property was trans ferred as a gift, reciting the words Of the act incorporating the Mount Me Gregor Memorial association, Tn trust. in behalf of the surviving com rades in arms of Gen. Grant and the whole American people.
 In the year 1889 bill was passed by the New York legislature and ap- proved by the governor incorporating inc Mount McGregor Memorial asso- citation, and to this association this propertv was transferred by MT. Drex el. This act as subsequently amend ed. provides for a board Of trustees consisting of five members. This board is now composed of the following named gentlemen: William J. Arkeli of New York, president; Hon. w. T. Dunmore of Utica; the adJutant gen eral of the state of New York, and the commander of the department of New York, Grand Army of the Republic, by virtue of their respective offices, ana R. F. Knapp of Saratoga Springs
 The property owned by the Mount McGregor Memorial association, how ever comprises but small plat or land. about 150 feet square, upon which the Grant cottage stands. All Of the surrounding land is owned by other parties In November last a sale was made by William Courtney of New York to a MT. Johnson of 300 1 acres of land on Mount McGregor. ! This sale includes nearly all Of the land on three sides of the Grant cot tage property MT Johnson made the | purchase for the purpose of cutting 1 the wood and timber, and, under the i terms of his contract, there is nothing to prevent him from cutting all of the | forest away within 50 feet of the cot ! taee wall and leaving the mountain a barren waste He is reluctant to do this. but as some of the most valuable timber in his purchase is within the immediate vicinity of the cottage he will be compelled to cut it to make good on his contract
 To prevent this threatened spola- tion a bill was introduced in the last ! session or our Stdle ltSlsldJuFe au' thorizing the forest, fish and game commissioner to purchase 100 acres immediately surrounding the Grant cottage for the forest reserve, This bill was passed. but failed to meet the approval of Gov. Hughes Its purpose, as will readily be seen, was to pre- vent the destruction of the scenic ! hoouty of the surrOuDdinPs of the Grant cottage.
 More recently this impending spolia-