The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-11-30

Gazette and Mr.. r. H. Martin, of the
Mail staff. The party was in the
efficient charge of superintendent
Lyons Of the X. & M. The whole
movement was the direct outcome
OF the article written some time ago
by Hon. VIM. S. Edwards and pub
lished in this paper in which he ad
vooated the relocating Of the his
toric spot, the changing Of the name
of Heskett to one that correspondent
with the historic association Of the
locality and Of some kind of a
memorial that would forever mark
the spot and also for an attempt to
carry out the original intentions or
George Washington to dedicate a
portion of the surrounding ground
to the perpetual use of the public
a design that was originally
frustrated as was explained in Mr..
Edwards former article. All these
things are now we'll on their way to
fruitiop.
Washington's Spring Station.
AS a result of the unanimous
vote of the relocating party after
they had returned to the coach from
their quest, the K. & M. officials
announced that they took pleasure
In remaining the station. Heskett
Washington's Spring station. The
grounds have passed into the hands
OF the Timber e Myers real estate
firm, but assurances were given
that sufficient ground would be set
aside to make the necessary park.
while it is the intention to plant q
young oak on the site Of the old
decayed monarch of the primeval
forest and also to mark the re-lo-
cation of the spring with a stone
or concrete memorial of some kind.
Il. & Nj. Officials Generous Hosts.
The X. & M officials were not on
ly very accommodating in furnish
ing a coach for the transportation
Of the party, but they also provided
a delightful luncheon, which, served
at six o'clock, after the party had
spent several hours wandering
about the brown fields searching
for every clue Of nature that had
been left by the ravaging hands of
cline and man, and had returned
with appetites whetted by the keen
air and exercise, was found to be
most tempting and delicious. The
K. & M. officials responded cheer
fully to every request that was
made, and of them to ask was but
to receive.
The Historic Deed.
The deed made by Washington in
which he intended to convey the
spring and two surrounding acres
perpetually to the public was de-
fective in that, owing to the death
OF one of the officials whose sig
nature was necessary to make it a
legal document, never became ef-
fect;ve and consequently the spring
and the surrounding land went to
the Washington heirs and, eventual
~, in the disposition Of the lands OF
the Washington estate, became the
property Of Col. William Dickinson
grandfather Of Mr.. c.. G. Lewis and
also Of Mr.. ]. q. Dickinson of this
city. Passing from the hands of a
man named Wiley who purchased
it from Mr.. G.. G.. Lewis, to the
hands Of the Timber & Myers real
estate company, the spring Is now
owned by that company. Mr.. Lautch,
secretary Of the company which is
laying out townsite on the old
Dickinson farm and who was pres
ent, stated that on the behalf Of the
company ne would aid In giving the
1.-TWO acres" or such part Of it as
should be suggested, to the public.
Mr.. G.. G. Lewis as Guide.
Mr.. G. G. Lewis, who had learned
through family connection OF the
location Of the old spring and who
was conversant with the traditions
relating thereto, promptly led the
party pretty close to what later was
decided upon as the proper location
However, this decision was not
reached until all other locations
were closely examined, and the spot
finally decided upon was reached by
another route and from a different
marks, directions, distances and
requisite, conditions are fulfilled by
the location unanimously agreed
upon. In two-hours tramp over
the russell clad fields, climbing
fences and jumping running stream
sets, Mr.. Lewis kept up with, and
frequently led, the party and on his
return to the coach, when asked by
some OF the members If he were
fatigued, he replied was not and
that perhaps he could outwalk
some Of the younger men Of the
crowd. His services to the re-locat-
ing party were invaluable, and it
was to his knowledge os locations
traditions and landmarks, more
than anything else that enabled the