The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-09-04
WHEN THE FIRST MOTOR
CAR ENTERED MT. VERNON
Ii Was in the One-cyInder Days, and the Roads
Were Very Bad in Those Times.


Vernon was reached
Never before have two innocent motor
cars caused such a sensation! The Gus
todian didn't know what TO do. There
were no rules against motor cars coming
into the grounds, because no motor cars
had ever tried TO come before, as he
patiently explained On the other hand.
there were no rules made and provided
that the motor car could como in and
make itself at home.
They didn't think they could walt until
he wrote the president Of the society
! about it. did they? he wanted TO know.
They didn't think they could. Well, the
custodian decided, il they would register
first he would let them in. But you
must not trespass with them" ne warned
'Oh, certainly not"' chorused the Man
Of Means, the Expert Driver. and News
paper Man. Certainly mott.
Wonder what he thought we wanted
TO do with them?" whispered the Expert
Driver.
Guess he imagined we'd want 10 show
the automobiles Georges bedroom" was
the Newspaper Mans idlotic and disre-
spectful reply.
Within the Historic Enclosure.
so the party solemnly filed in through
the turnstiles and registered themselves.
and as solemnly filed out again and took
the automobiles inside-not that they
wished to show the automobiles the man
sion, but because they wanted documen-
tary evidence that they had made the
trip. Said documentary evidence is stiU
in existence-part OF 1t. in the form Of
the pictures, is presented here. These are
the first cars-an old Pope Hartford and
old Pope Toledo-ever TO make the
trip TO Mount Vernon, II the custodian is
to be believed-and no one has ever dis
puted the claim.
But because these cars were the first is
no reason why they should be the last
The roads are much improved. Then
they were the same, only more so, AS
they were in Washington's time one
could not blame him for remaining at
home on Sunday after a storm. rather
than go 20 church; IN fact he would,
with that old stage coach OF his. have
had TO start the night before Now they
but easily psssable.
And they will be better yet. The noble
work done by the Ladies' Mount Vernon
Association IN purchasing the grounds.
restoring the property. and stocking It
with heirlooms of Washington's day and
presenting it to the public in almost the
same condition II was when the first
President lived in its spacious halls. is
not TO end with the house and the
grounds.
A Boulevard VIII Come Some Day.
II Virginia and Congress will not aid
the roads. the Ladies Association will
until. some day. there will be a broad
and smooth-topped highway between the
home Of his heart and the city OF his
name. Tourists come in increasing num-
bers every year by boat, by trolley. and
will come by auto when the roads are
better. Doubtless, George Washington
would open those placid eyes OF his in
establishment could he see the modern
motor car-perhaps even he might con
slider It undignifed. who always rode in
a coach and four. But there was nothing
but reverence in the conduct OF that first
auto party when the little snorting one
cylinder was hushed of its noise in front
of the simple tomb Of the first American.
nor was the respect paid with lifted hats
the less that those who looked sat within
the modern conveyance and not behind
good horse flesh.
No man can visit Washington's home
and not add To his patriotism. Inas-
much as patriotism Is much 70 be de-
sired, any improvement in road which
will bring increasing numbers OF autoists
TO travel the pioneer road. first run by
motor car six years ago, over tracks
in the mud. misnamed a pike" is
contamination devoutly to be wished. And
the more people who make the run and
kick for better roads. the quicker those
roads will come. Kicks have improved
them in the past six years-do you get
out. and make the run and add your
kick. and do your little part toward
making accessible 10 the autoist this
American shrine-even as did the first
and pioneer party Of six long years ago. !