The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-04-28
Body of Major L'Enfant, Who
Laid Out Washington,
Is Disinterred and Placed in
Arlington Cemetery.
WAS BURIED In 1895
Only Lone Cedar Tree Marked
His Resting Place.
Appropriate Ceremonies Held in
Capitol R0tunda.

Washington, April 2s.-UnusuaI hon
ors were today paid to the memory of
Major Pierre Charles L'Enfant, the
famous French engineer, who under
the authority of George Washington,
laid out the city of Washington.
His body, which was disinterred from
its resting place on Digges farm, in
Maryland, near Washington. where he
was buried in 1925. was taken to the
capitol under military escort today.
| In the rotunda, where the body lay
in state, ceremonies were held, at which
Vice President Sherman and Ambas-
sador Jusserand of France, paid tribute
to the noted Frenchman
| This afternoon the body will be taken
to the Arlington National cemetery un-
der military escort and religious ser
vices will be held there. Besides the
regular troops who will take part in
the procession there will be various
patriotic organizations as well as civic
associations of Washington. Rev. Will
lam L. RUSSELL rector of St Patrick S
church of this city. which Majoi Len
/ fant attended, will officiate at the SER
vices at Arlington cemetery.
Old Grave Opened.
When the old grave at Green HILL
Prince George county. Md, was opened.
nothing at first was found to indicate
that body had been buried. After
digging down about six feet a few bits
! of rusty coffin nails were found. Then
came the outlines of the coffin itself
and few small pieces of bones. the
last of the distinguished engineer
| The bones, nails. and bits of wood
were reverently placed in a new coffin
lowered with the Star Spangled Banner
and placed in conveyance.
The grave was identified by Dr. Jas
Dudley Morgan, a descendant of the
lDigges family. who owned the farm
where PEnfant was sheltered in ad-
lversity and finally buried, and George
Howard, q descendant of the Riggs
family. who bought the property from
1.-THE Digges estate.
! With Dr. Morgan was Herbert Claude
a civil engineer. who is a grandson OF
Francis Scott Key. In the party with
George Howard were Gist Blair, Clar-
ence Moore, John F. wilkins, and Sam
uel Simpkins. Commissioner Macfar-
land and DR.. Tindall, secretary to the
board of commissioners. led the caval-
cade to the grave. Commissioner West
was i'll, and Commissioner Judson was
unable to attend.
The work of removal was carried or
under the superintendent of D. H
Rhodes, of the Quartermaster generals
office, an expert in such matters.
Tree the Only Monument.
Before the work of exhumation could
be started, 1t was necessary to cut dOwr
a large cedar tree which stood over the
Igrave. The tree was planted when Ma
jor LEnfant was. buried. in 1925, and
through the years stood as the only
lheadstone for the lonely grave
| The farm was on the estate of Digges
until 1861, when George w. Riggs
bought it. 1t stands at the head OF
Riggs road, in Prince George county
In the same grove were buried severa
of the Digges family, but when the pro-
perty was sold the bodies were taker
away, leaving as the only graves thai
of PEnfant and of his bosom friend
Major Fitzgerald.